[1] The Book of Gold Leaves is set in the 1990s where Kashmir was simmering because of rebellion and political strife.
Alice Albinia of Financial Times wrote "Waheed's second, new novel, The Book of Gold Leaves, is, aesthetically, a very different book",[2] Kashoo Tawseef of Countercurrents.org wrote "The art of story telling and flow of writing has very well crafted by the author and makes you feel that you are among the characters of the novel.
"[3] Iram Shafi Allaie of The Criterion wrote "The plot of the The Book of Gold Leaves is clear and the language is simple."
"[4] Mahvesh Murad of Dawn wrote "The Collaborator was also a beautiful, emotional and lyrical novel and The Book of Gold Leaves is even more so, almost to the point of being indulgent.
"[6] Mary Ann Pickford of The Northern Echo gave 6 out of 10 stars.