Unraveling Graves

"Ghost Characters" is a term that defines characters who are mentioned but do not appear physically during the course of Nadeem Aslam's novels. Ghost characters in Aslam's novels are crafted in a more intricate pattern than just as apparitions frightening other characters. They are characters themselves who although dead by the time the story begins, are nonetheless an invincible part of their plots.They are intricately woven in the narratives, not just as ghosts but characters in their own right. Aslam's craftsmanship lies in the representation of such characters as an active part of his novels despite their absence.It marks a new development in the art of fiction writing, for it allows Aslam to create multiple planes of space and time, breaking away from the convention. This technique opens new possibilities in characterization which in turn creates still more diversity, adding versatility to his writing by providing multiple perspectives.