Ishq and Mushq - Priya Basil

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I am reading this book at at time when the existence of the commonwealth body is being questioned.

Although I have reservations about how and why Commonwealth came into existence, I appreciate how it has contributed to the fields of Sports and Literature. 

Funnily enough I picked up this book only after learning that it made it to the commonwealth writers shortlist. To me, it adds a certain level of credibility and often I have enjoyed Commonwealth shortlists more than the Booker prize ones.

Commonwealth offers opportunities to countries that otherwise eclipsed by the more powerful who always almost hog the limelight.

When it comes to sport, India always shines at Commonwealth games rather than the Olympics. It always bags more medals at this event rather than the Olympics  where it is China and America who rule the roost. 

But I am more concerned about literature and to me, it showcases a vast array of writers who would have escaped notice. Discovering Basil in this manner was a surprise and a lovely one at that.

Gist:

Sarna a young bride is travelling with her husband from Amritsar to Kenya to her in laws house. The story tracks the journey of this young couple as they move into a joint family and then move out to seek their own fortune in London. Spanning continents with historic events at the backdrop, the story is a fascinating tale of the importance of food, domestic lives and how the past comes back to haunt the present and threatens their future.

What works:

• Basil writes beautifully. Her imagery and her descriptions are superb and it is a joy to read it.

• She is talking of a time when Kenyan immigrants moved into London and made it their home. She draws a great verbal picture and though I have no idea how authentic it is, to my mind, it felt genuine. It felt as I was peeking through a door that showed me how London became the cosmopolitan city that it is now is.

• The characters are distinct - particularly Sarna. It is a strong woman character and the story pivots around her. It is a character driven story and yet it shows how she has an impact on the lives of her family. 

• Loved the way food has been used to convey emotions such as resentment, hatred and secrecy.

What doesn't:

• The story slags a bit in the middle. I lost the momentum and was a bit bogged down by the slow pace. However like every good story it perks up as the denouement comes in sight and then tights up neatly.

• The story could have really picked up if only something drastic would have happened. However, the turning point doesn't seem that significant. The so called revelation does not seem to have that much impact and that was a bit of a letdown.

But it is a well written book. The imagery and the description especially connecting food and emotions is beautifully done. 

I liked it enough to gift a copy to a bookloving friend.