A Golden Age

     Author                         Tahmima Anam

     Country                       United Kingdom

     Genre                           Historical Fiction

     Publication Date         January 2009

     Pages                           276

    





A very interesting read - that is how I would define this book.

When I picked up this book, I was merely intrigued by the fact that being from the same sub continent, I had never really read about Bangaldesh's struggle for freedom. But it clearly proved to be much more than that! Against the backdrop of a new nation coming to life, this is a story that is packed with history, emotions and the beauty of relationships.

Rehana Haque is a young widow and "A Golden Age" portrays the story of her life and her family. As she is celebrating the coming of home for her two children, the country breaks into a war, sparked by Bangladesh's struggle for freedom. Being disconnected from politics and too involved in her own world, Rehana does not foresee how the war will change her and her children for ever! From someone whose world is limited to ensuring safety for her family, she soon evolves into a tiger mom who would go to any extent to protect her children. And this stands her in great stead throughout the book and particularly in the end!

Tahmima has done a tremendous job in capturing a variety of human relationships: relationship with one's child, siblings, friends and finally a romantic relationship. One of my best parts of the book is Rehana's growing maturity and coming of age; which brings her at the centre stage of the war. During this time, Rehnana also passionately battles with her romantic feelings when she comes in real close contact with someone other than her husband for the first time. And this is best captured through the following quote which truly portrays the hunger, pain and loneliness of her soul:

"In the midst of all the madness, I found the world seemed right for the first time in a very long time. I heard the song of a woman whose voice held a thousand years of sorrow."

What has touched me the most is the end of the book and how Rehana and her love for her children can go to any extent to protect them. What she does in the end left me bewildered and touched; to the extent that I had to go over the same page once twice! Rehana's closing line in the book is a true reflection of this and of the strength of her character:

"This war that has taken so many sons had spared mine. This age that has burned so many daughters had not burned mine. I have not let it."

In short, I will just say that this is a great read and you should surely add this to your bookshelf!