The Author and Context
Shaytonat (Kingdom of Demons), published in 1994, stands as Uzbekistan's most controversial and beloved crime novel. Written by acclaimed sci-fi author Tahir Malik, this five-part epic chronicles the rise and fall of criminal empires during Central Asia's turbulent transition to independence. For readers interested in post-Soviet literature, Central Asian culture, or crime fiction from non-Western perspectives, Shaytonat offers an unmissable window into a rarely explored world.
Tahir Malik is a master of Uzbek literature who successfully revived the science fiction genre before pivoting to crime fiction that would reshape Central Asian literary landscape. Born in Tashkent in 1946, he became known for his novellas Falak ("The Firmament") and Somon yoʻli elchilari ("Messengers of the Milky Way"). For his contribution to the development of Uzbek literature, Tahir Malik received the honorary title "People's Writer of Uzbekistan" in 2000.
One of the most significant works in his oeuvre is Shaytonat ("Kingdom of Demons"), a landmark Uzbek novel that brought crime fiction to the forefront of Central Asian literature. What makes it particularly remarkable is that this epic novel, written by a science fiction author, is devoted to the very real vicissitudes of the criminal underworld in post-Soviet Uzbekistan — a subject rarely explored in Central Asian literature. It portrays the life of criminal groups in 1980s Uzbekistan and the early years of independence — their codes, brutal orders, and the tragic fates of people caught up in Tashkent's criminal underworld.
The novel consists of five parts:
- Qasos ("Revenge")
- Non bergan jon olmaydi ("He Who Feeds Will Not Take Life")
- Semirgan chumoli ("The Fattened Ant")
- Oqqush qoʻshigʻi ("Swan Song")
- Azozil doʻkoni ("Azazel's Shop")
Tahir Malik began work on Shaytonat in 1984. The project took him a full decade — the first part was published in the journal Sharq yulduzi ("Star of the East," a major Uzbek literary magazine) in 1992, while the complete novel appeared as a separate book in 1994.
The book reflected the dramatic events occurring in Uzbek society during the period of perestroika and social instability. The title itself sounds symbolic and enigmatic: "Kingdom of Demons" is a metaphor for a world of evil and lawlessness ruled by crime. This immediately sets the tone for the narrative.
Plot and Main Themes: Crime Fiction Meets Social Commentary in Post-Soviet Uzbekistan
The Uzbek crime novel Shaytonat centers on the protagonist Asadbek, who from childhood dreamed of the future and was full of hope, but encountered the harsh reality of post-Soviet Uzbekistan that changed his fate. The aftermath of Stalinist repressions, the social injustice endemic to late Soviet and post-Soviet Uzbekistan, and difficult life circumstances — all of this pushed Asadbek onto the path of crime in Tashkent's underworld.
According to the writer's conception, Asadbek and his associates were not born criminals; they became victims of their time — "a crowd of the aggrieved," whom the cruel transition from Soviet to independent Uzbekistan turned into people seeking protection and power in the criminal world.
Each character in the novel is depicted with multiple layers, combining both negative and positive traits. The images are ambiguous and complex. For example, both "Kesakpolvon" (Khaydar) and "Chuvrindi" (Makhmud) — characters with colorful criminal nicknames — grew up in disadvantaged environments, deprived of proper upbringing and maternal attention. Left to their own devices, they were drawn into the criminal world from an early age and "matured" precisely there.
Conversely, through the character of prosecutor Zokhid, the author shows another side of human nature: how within any system, in an atmosphere of injustice and a spiritually sick society, a person can preserve their conscience and inner purity.
The novel also depicts the new "world of demons" that emerged in 1990s Uzbekistan during the period of independence — with its mafia structures, corruption, and horrors of Tashkent's criminal underworld, themes that made Shaytonat groundbreaking in Central Asian crime fiction. However, Shaytonat is not only about crime. According to Tahir Malik, this is a book about humanity and society, about the price of evil and injustice. One of the key ideas of the novel is that those who spread lawlessness and injustice always lose in the end.
The author emphasizes: "In the world, no oppression goes unpunished. Eventually Asadbek will pay for his criminal deeds — he will become responsible for his own daughter's dishonor and the death of one of his sons." As the writer put it: "Anything bought in the devil's shop will result in retribution."
Genre and Style: Pioneering Crime Fiction in Uzbek Literature
From a genre perspective, the Uzbek novel Shaytonat is rich in elements of adventure and detective fiction, establishing new standards for crime fiction in Central Asian literature. The reader is held until the last page by intense and mysterious events, dramatic murder scenes, and genuine human relationships. Although the plot is largely based on the local realities of post-Soviet Uzbekistan in the 1990s, its exploration of crime, justice, and morality transcends cultural boundaries, making this Central Asian crime novel accessible to any contemporary reader.
The Work's Significance: Why Shaytonat Matters to World Literature
Why is it essential to read Shaytonat? First of all, it is one of the rare detective-adventure works in Uzbek literature — and virtually unique in Central Asian crime fiction — that introduces the reader to real events and moods of post-Soviet transition. By illuminating the socio-economic problems of Uzbekistan in the 1990s, the book helps contemporary readers feel the atmosphere of that era.
From an artistic standpoint, the novel is distinguished by a simple yet expressive style. The tense plot holds attention from beginning to end, while behind the narrative's dynamics lie deep reflections on conscience, loyalty, and the characters' sacrifices.
The work is significant because it examines social contradictions, sets proper examples for youth, points to the consequences of crime and unjust authority. The novel also calls on readers to resist the influence of the criminal world and take responsibility for raising children.
It can be confidently said that Shaytonat is not only an engaging work of fiction but also a book filled with deep philosophical and moral lessons.
What value does this novel hold for contemporary readers? First and foremost, it introduces them to relevant social themes and the historical experience of Uzbek society.
The Screen Adaptation: How Shaytonat Became a Central Asian Cultural Phenomenon
The novel's popularity was further solidified by its screen adaptation. Filming began in 1998 and continued for 14 years. The incomparable performances of such outstanding actors as Yodgor Sadiyev, Erkin Komilov, Bekhzod Muhammadkarimov, Pulat Saidkosimov, Karim Mirkhodiyev, Gulchekhra Jamilova, Khojiakbar Nurmatov, and Khayrulla Sadiyev made the series truly a national treasure.
The premiere took place on February 15, 1999. However, the very next day, right during the broadcast of the second episode, explosions rocked Tashkent (referring to the 1999 Tashkent bombings, a series of terrorist attacks), causing the broadcast to be interrupted. After that, due to an unofficial ban, the series was prohibited from being shown for nearly 15 years. Only in 2020 did Shaytonat return to screens, allowing a new generation of viewers to discover this story. However, the final—21st—episode of the series has still not been presented to audiences.
The screen adaptation gave the novel new life but also revealed notable differences between the book and the film. In some episodes, the director interpreted scenes in his own way, resulting in Asadbek appearing more as an antihero than a villain. Tahir Malik himself repeatedly emphasized that in the novel Asadbek was conceived as an absolutely negative character, whereas in the film he was turned into "practically an angel."
The writer was particularly disturbed by the fact that the book repeatedly emphasized the sinfulness of the suicides of Anvar and Zaynab, but this important aspect was not reflected on screen at all, which, in the author's opinion, could mislead viewers. According to Tahir Malik, because the film diverged so much from the book, he jokingly even demanded that director Yodgor Sadiyev compensate him for "moral damages."
Critical Reception: Controversy Over Shaytonat's Place in Uzbek Literature
"In the '90s, chaos arose. It was then that Tahir Malik wrote the detective novel Shaytonat. The novel appeared during the period of Uzbekistan's independence, when crime sharply increased, and events from this milieu form the main content of the work. Readers hungry for detective fiction and easily digestible material pounced on Shaytonat en masse. The excitement has somewhat subsided. But Tahir Malik himself regretted that by writing this novel, he had, as it were, accustomed readers to superficial works. Later he realized what he had done, but it was too late. In his later works, one notices an avoidance of what he calls detective fiction, and a sense of repentance is felt. When I look into his soul, it seems to me that regret sounds there: 'I laid the foundation for destruction in literature.' This can also be understood from what he writes now," noted writer Shukur Jabbor in his analysis of the work.
However, Tahir Malik himself categorically rejected such judgments. In one interview, he stated directly: "No, why should I regret it? If I regretted it, I wouldn't have written this book! I don't regret writing Shaytonat. This book is, first of all, not about the mafia. It's a book about life, about its remarkable aspects. Those who criticize Shaytonat have actually only read the title."
Distinctive Features: What Makes Shaytonat Unique in Central Asian Crime Fiction
Various discussions are held about the novel Shaytonat. Some fans of the book who lived through those times claim that the characters in the work are taken from real life. This opinion is connected to the belief that the author allegedly had close contacts with high-ranking Ministry of Internal Affairs officials and used materials from criminal cases and investigation protocols.
In one YouTube video review of the novel, a commentator suggests that the prototype for Asadbek is a real person named Erkin from Andijan (a city in eastern Uzbekistan), whose daughter suffered from drug addiction and whose son died young due to intrigues. How credible these rumors are is unknown.
The work was published not only in Uzbek but also in Russian and Uyghur, gaining popularity among different readers. The first print run was 75,000 copies, the second already 100,000. However, as contemporaries note, the writer's royalties were so modest that they "weren't even worth a sack of onions."
When asked whether the novel's heroes were taken from life, the author answered unequivocally: "I was not closely acquainted with the criminal world; I only saw from afar one or two of its well-known representatives at weddings and celebrations. My heroes are not copies of specific people but composite images in which the features of different people are reflected."
Conclusion: Shaytonat's Enduring Legacy in Central Asian Literature
Tahir Malik's novel Shaytonat occupies a special place in Uzbek literature, as it is a monumental work that not only helps to more deeply comprehend the confrontation with injustice and crime but forces one to think about moral values and responsibility to society. This approach leaves a profound impression on contemporary readers as well.
The editorial staff of HD magazine highly recommends reading the Uzbek crime novel Shaytonat—a essential work of Central Asian literature that offers invaluable insight into post-Soviet transformation and the criminal underworld of 1990s Tashkent.