About
Asif M Sardar was born in the Punjab in Pakistan, emigrated to England as a small child and grew up in the Midlands in Birmingham.He originally worked as a Medical Research Scientist before cross-training to work as an IT Consultant, initially with the British Ministry of Defence and then the Japanese IT company Fujitsu.He enjoys reading a wide range of contemporary literature, is a keen student of cinema and his favourite directors are Howard Hawks, David Lean and Stanley Kubrick and his favourite actor is Clint Eastwood.Asif enjoys a range of music, both Western & Asian, especially Mohammed Rafi, Mansoor Malangi, Mehdi Hassan, Meatloaf and Paul Simon. An avid football fan, he has supported and followed Leeds United Football Club all his life - "Marching on Together!"His comic heroes are the Marx brothers, especially Groucho, the late Irish comic writer & performer Spike Milligan, and the British comedy group Monty Python. In addition he is also an avid comic book reader and collector with a deep and trivial knowledge of the Marvel universe; he has referenced these influences and interests in his writings.His first book "Colin Thorson Teenage Superhero" was published in April 2012 and he has continued to write books in a variety of genres, usually with a humorous flavour.
Description
<p>(Book 1)<br />Betrayed by the woman he loved and on the verge of destitution, artist Jonathan Martinez channels his anguish and rage into what will become his greatest masterpiece—Passion and Betrayal. The painting, critically acclaimed, ushers him into the world of fine art and allows him to realize his dreams. Stepping out of the shadows, he transforms into Phillipe, a wealthy artist and sought-after bachelor who enjoys an extravagant lifestyle—including his pick of any woman he desires.<br /><br />But when Phillipe least expects, the woman who almost destroyed him returns on the arm of his agent. Despite his anger, she awakens the part of his soul he entombed long ago. The part of him that can never forget her, no matter how deeply he buries himself in his art.<br /><br />With everything he's accomplished at stake, can Phillipe overpower the demons that haunt him and learn to love again? Or will his heart remain a shattered work of art that can never be restored?</p>
Story Behind The Book
This story is the result of a discussion with my youngest daughter about Santa Claus.
We started messing around joking about what other types of Santas there could be. As soon as I said the name 'Santa Clown' the whole concept of him became real.
As I developed the story further Santa Clown's problems seemed to mirror those of the late Irish surreal comedian Spike Milligan; who's comedic genius was disturbed by severe bouts of depression.
I love his work and decided to pay tribute to his brilliant talent by basing the look of Santa Clown on Spike and also recycling some of his lines too.
This is a genuine heartfelt tribute to a very unique British talent.
