Hi,
I bought this book just after seeing Shashi Tharoor’s name. The story and the synopsis of the book is brought out in the earlier two reviews. So, let me analyze in other dimensions in that particular order.
Communalism:
Yes, that’s what the core issue dealt in this book. The Hindu-Muslim riots starting from pre-independence period to the Babri Masjid imbroglio. I use the word ‘imbroglio’ because after reading the book, even I am confused with the political situation existed then. The author brings out the myths and beliefs of both the religion from their standpoints. The ironical part of the novel is an American Christian getting killed in this Hindu-Muslim clash!
Politics:
He talks about the religious leaders oops..did I say religious? I stand corrected. He talks about the political leaders of India who were responsible for the Hindu-Muslim partition, the status quo existed at that time and how it was handled to their advantage.
Love:
Present in plenty. Actually I never thought this book will contain so much about love. Things like love (both Western love and Indian love), lust, sex are discussed. While talking about the 1980’s Indian marriages, he says “Western love usually ends in marriages. So, when love stops marriages are torn apart. In India, love starts after marriage and it prolongs even after the death of either of the partners. This is something which is deep rooted in the fundamentals of the society and our psyche. That is why divorces are very uncommon here.”
Character portrayal:
The content flow of the book is not continuous like any other novel. The novel is structured by means of various transcripts, interviews and letters which gives more authenticity to the points discussed. The three main characters in the novel are:
Priscilla – The American women who comes to India for social work. Somehow her character was a mix of paradoxes. For instance, In the start of the novel, she secludes herself from her dad on seeing him indulging in a wrongful act. But she herself indulges in it for the rest of the book! I don’t why the author has portrayed a young American women in this way.
Lakshman - A South-Indian brahmin, District Magistrate in that riotous town, An IAS. A married man who is bound by duty, perseverance and patriotism yet in the hindsight, losing himself for the beauty of Priscilla. Hypocrite yet determined, lustful yet responsible, thoughtful yet man of action - that sums up Lakshman for you. Can we categorize him as an average upwardly mobile Indian!?
Gurinder – A Sikh, Lakhsman’s college mate then, now an IPS officer in the town. A bad mouthed person in the novel but definitely any one will love him for his pragmatic approach towards life. He goes to the extent of advising Lakshman about the difference between “bedding well and wedding bell”. A man who can control riot single-handedly through his bravery and negotiating powers.
I would say this as a nearly wholesome book. Anyone who wants to know about the Indian history from a Journalist viewpoint can read this book.
Regards,