Independence

#bookreview Independence After a long time read a book which not only kept me going for the next page and the next, but also stayed with me long after the book was over. This is how master storytellers do it. Chitra has always been one of my favourite authors and here she is yet again hitting the ball right out of the park. I confess being a Bengali born post partition and raised in Kolkata with regular visits to my maternal and paternal roots back to the villages near Shantiniketan, this book resonated a lot. The lives of the protagonist though at a different time and each of the Rabindrasangeets and Nazrul Geetis hit a cord home. This is a story of 3 sisters and their doctor father and homemaker mother living in a village in Bengal with the backdrop being the Independence, partition and of course the gruesome riots. The unique personalities of each of the sisters their dreams and ambitions intertwined with their fathers friend and the local Zamindar and his son. The book gives you a feel of little women but it then transports you to the life and times of the birth of our nation. When the euphoria of the new found Independence is mixed with one of the most gut wrenching violence that the country has ever seen. She even introduces characters like Sarojini Naidu in flesh and blood and enthrals us with the fiery ambition of one of the sisters who wants to become a doctor. The selflessness and goodness of people surrounding the protagonists in the middle of such chaotic and violent times lends a beautiful harmony and balance to the story. For me personally the book was unputdownable as there was so much I could relate to, from the foliage and topography to the clothing and music and food. I am so grateful to Chitra for bringing it all to life in such an authentic manner. I suggest don’t miss this treat at any cost if stories of humanity and history interest you. #independence #chitrabanerjeedibakaruni #partition #humanity #history #india #loveforbooks #harpercollins

I loved this book. It was interesting to read about India’s history. I am very bad at remembering names so I did have trouble remember each character.

Muy bien escrito ! Me encantó este libro

I always check out any book that offers cultural diversity and have read many books about India overtime. And not becausemy husband is Indian, because I love historical fiction. This was a good and fast read for me. The character development was strong and true. Because this story contained a lot about Indian partition I was a little bit caught off guard by the historical report of the incredible violence that occurred. It was very graphic and true, but a titch disturbing. I wouldn't tell anyone to not read this book but I would mention the accurate history and the horrors of 2hat millions of people endured during partition and country division

I read it with a sense of urgency which is exactly how I always end up reading all of Chitra Banerjee’s work. Highly recommend!