Psychoraag_Saadi
2006 Nominated

Psychoraag

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

It’s midnight in Glasgow as DJ Zaf presents Radio Chandni’s last ever programme. The playlist features songs from the soundtracks of romantic old Indian films, Beatles’ and Stranglers’ classics and the music of Kula Shaker and ADF.

As his broadcast goes out, Zaf’s thoughts and memories unfold – a battered black Ford Popular car toiling its way from Lahore to Britain; a shiny blue Kawasaki motorbike flashing through the Scottish countryside; an ex-lover who blames him for all the crap in her life; a fuck-off-we’re-finished note from his white girlfriend; a mother who abandons all that’s safe and familiar to be with the man she loves; a father who doesn’t recognise his son; the once-exotic sight of a sari swishing along the cold wet streets of Govan; a culture defined by something as banal as plastic hankie-box holders decorated with roses; a copper mirror in a singing cave . . .

Suhayl Saadi triumphantly blends standard English with a distinctive urban Scots peppered with Urdu. It’s a mythic yet utterly modern tale that explores what it means to be Asian in Britain in the twenty-first century. A unique experience for those in search of something different.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Suhayl
Saadi

Suhayl Saadi was born in East Yorkshire in 1961, but moved to Glasgow in 1965. He studied medicine at Glasgow University, and was working as a GP when his first novel was published in 1997. The Snake was an erotic novel written under the pseudonym ‘Melanie Desmoulins’, but Saadi had been writing articles, stories and poems ever since joining a writer’s group in the late 1980s.

Now writing novels, stage and radio plays, as well as newspaper articles and song lyrics, Saadi is also the editor of a number of anthologies, including Macallan Shorts 5 (2002) (Saadi won second prize in the Macallan Shorts competition in 1999).

His first short story collection The Burning Mirror was published by Polygon in 2001, and was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Prize.

Suhayl Saadi was born in East Yorkshire in 1961, but moved to Glasgow in 1965. He studied medicine at Glasgow University, and was working as a GP when his first novel was published in 1997. The Snake was an erotic novel written under the pseudonym ‘Melanie Desmoulins’, but Saadi had been writing articles, stories and poems ever since joining a writer’s group in the late 1980s.

Now writing novels, stage and radio plays, as well as newspaper articles and song lyrics, Saadi is also the editor of a number of anthologies, including Macallan Shorts 5 (2002) (Saadi won second prize in the Macallan Shorts competition in 1999).

His first short story collection The Burning Mirror was published by Polygon in 2001, and was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Prize.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find any translators matching your search. Please try using different keywords or check back later as we regularly update our collection.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Scotland
Original Language
English
Author
Publisher
Black & White Publishing

RELATED FEATURES

News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
Video May 12 2026

Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A

Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
Video May 8 2026

Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A

Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.