It wouldnt be wrong if I call this novel a book of the urban youth of today’s india.through the straight and simple narrative and the story and the characters, flows a tremendously deep and intense passion of the write that holds the readers attention strongly.
the story is about a young boy(the narrator)...his experiences in life...his grand mother, his uncle Tridib, his cousin Ila and many other minor characters.though on its first reading I had to strain my head hard to find out who’s related to who and how???but then by the time I finished the novel I was all set to read it over again...and this time it was an enriching experience!!!
the episodes in the novel widened my horizons..and any reader would not dissaprove if I say that at times we ourselves believe us to be the narrator..amen ghoshs style makes it soooo simple for us to feel as a part of the novel and to relate to it!!!
i remember having read the book as a young girl in 2nd year of college..but even now...3years after that...i still see myself under the spell of the book.
the most mesmerizing part of the book is that through simple incidents he has presented certain facts that might be called taboos in Indian society.But what is comendable is that we do not see them as that while reading the book.the incidents of intimacy between the cousins(the narrator and Ila)which could be highly criticised being against the ’’socio-cultural values’’ of our society have been dealt with such ease which is plausible.even Ila’s removing her top in front of her cousin doesnt seem to be too big a things...all credit to ghosh’s fantabulous narrative.
i guess this is a complete book...it has everything in it...from philosophy to sex, from geography to deep and intense love to contrasts between west and east from growth from a child to an adult and so on and so forth.it is one book that has all the reaons for any reader to read it.
so guys as soon as u finish reading my review grab a copy of it and read it...its very easily available on any bookstand at very cheap prices..below 125Rs. I guess!!!and its worth millions!!!