Wednesday 20 April 2016

This Unquiet Land





      Author                        Barkha Dutt

      Country                      India

      Genre                          Non Fiction

      Publication Date        Dec 2015

      Pages                          297





Barkha Dutt has always been one of my favourite journalists. Like everyone else in her profession, there is much said about her, but to me, her personality, her attitude and just her ability to stand her own in a world of men has been inspirational! Hence, it's no surprise that with absolutely no background, l impulsively picked up this book as soon as it was published and infact, especially ordered my copy through India.

An interesting commentary on India is what this book provides. But unfortunately, it does nothing beyond. Written by someone like Barkha, it's a let down that the book has traded opinions for pure factual commentary. For anyone who has kept up to date with what's hot and happening in the Indian media, this book has nothing unique to offer. However, for the others it's a succinct accumulation of all that has happened in India over the last few years!

One of my favourite reflections from the book is the issue of feminism and how most women do disservice to this by trying hard to mimic male behaviour attributes in order to fit into a largely male dominated society. In the bargain, they unknowingly tend to forget their individuality and hence, go against the very reason, gender diversity is valued.

Another interesting discussion is the fact that terror attacks on India are becoming common place and we are at our most vulnerable position with two nuclear powered countries as our neighbours. Life carrying on post an attack is inadvertently attributed to the spirit of people, but in reality, it's really a combination of compulsion and fatalism.

Another key theme is the responsibility and the evolution of media; which Barkha has quite skilfully touched upon through the numerous topics of terrorism, riots, religion, feminism and others.

In summary, I would say that this is a fine book but is not what I had expected of Barkha!



 

Monday 4 April 2016

Americanah




     Author                     Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche

     Country                   Nigeria

     Genre                       Fiction

     Publication Date     May 2013

     Pages                        477








I have been looking for a good book to read for a while now. Recommended by a dear friend, this award winning book did meet that basic expectation but didn't go much beyond. An interesting and insightful read, but not one of my best books ever!

Set in Nigeria under military dictatorship, this is the story of a young girl, Ifemelu who falls in love with Obinze, while studying and spending most of their childhood time together. As time passes, their lives choose different paths and Ifemelu finds herself in America while Obinze, desperate to get out of Nigeria and unable to get a visa to his most admired and fantasised country, America, finds himself in London. Through her struggles with racism and her efforts to establish herself successfully in the tough American world, Ifemelu snaps her ties with Obinze and with the rest of her past. As time progresses, both of them once again find themselves in their homeland, faced with one of the toughest decision of their lives. Torn between right and wrong, between passion and commitment, they try to ask the questions and seek the answers.

It would be fair to say that Chimamanda has done a remarkable job at stringing together a passionate story about love, relationships and race in the new globalised world. What have particularly stayed with me are her reflections on racism and the complexity and beauty of human relationships as portrayed through the book.

It would be suffice to say that Americanah has been a welcome entrant into my reading and blogging club and I am happy for it!