A Heartwrenching Story
This title was our book club choice and though I wasn't too happy to pick it up, but when I finished it, it left me in awe of the writer and her ability to create such an authentic world. In an interview, Anappara said she had to stick to facts as a journalist but this debut novel offered her opportunity to give voice to those people in her newsreports .
Gist:
Ten year old Jai lives in an unnamed basti in the outskirts of a metro in India. When, a school friend goes missing, Jai sees a perfect opportunity to play the cop from his favourite show and investigate the disappearance with the help of his friends. Matters turn ugly when more abductions are reported and Jai and friends realise that it is getting more sinister as danger moves closer to home.
My review:
- I enjoyed reading about Jai and his friends. The character of Jai with his street smartness and humourous one liners made me smile.
- I also enjoyed the world building. Jai does not live in the best of circumstances and yet his family is not stereotypical, there is happiness in his life that I found refreshing.
- The setting really works. Whether it is the government school where the main attraction is the midday meal, or the basti life it feels authentic and is done with sensitivity that really appeals to the reader.
- The story turns a bit grim as a feeling of dread builds as the story picks up pace. The emotions are real and relatable especially it is based on newsreports that are full of similar news of children going missing.
- The fact that the story evokes emotions in the reader is a major plus, a nod to the writer's skills.
Overall, it is a heart ripping, well told story. Evocative and eye-opening.
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