This book begins with a very strong sentence “For not having loved one’s dead father enough, could one make amends by loving one’s child more?”
The central plot of the book deals with themes of desolation and self pity. While striking a chord quite similar to his earlier books, Chhaterjee shows readers a side of India totally different from that depicted in modern Indian fiction. It’s humorous, but not wildly comedic, and invites readers to catch a very real glimpse of contemporary India.
Jamun, the protagonist, is a man who is in his mid-forties. His eighty-five year old father Shyamanand, half paralyzed and on his deathbed suddenly goes missing. His father’s refusal to accept death in a calm and expectant manner soon becomes a matter of anguish to Jamun, who is already leading a life of quiet desperation, while trying to balance feelings of despair and acceptance after the suicide of his best friend Dr. Mukherjee. To add to his misery, Monga the unscrupulous builder has his eyes set on the ancestral home that Jamun is trying to rebuild with the help of his estranged brother Burfi. As the tension escalates, Jamun finds out that he has to also deal with the ghosts from his past as former love Kasturi, who is now a hotshot TV executive, is busy recycling the more melodramatic moments of his life for a blockbuster Hindi soap opera.
As the characters start to evolve and different sub plots are intertwined in the story, the reader comes face to face with Jamun’s dilemma and his perspectives as he reminisces on the past and ponders over what could have taken place instead of the gloomy reality that he is facing. Written in powerful prose dripping with black humor, Chhaterjee provides a moving tale about the redemptive power that love has, even though it may be imperfect. Brutally honest and filled with biting sarcasm, the plot follows hilarious turns while offering innate points to ponder over in the 300 plus pages.
This book offers more insight into family ties and relationships more than any other popular romance novel. In fact, Chhaterjee’s examination of social bonds in the midst of death and degeneration is a stark reminder of reality. The metaphors and phrases that have been used by the author are so apt and articulate that it makes the book stand out in terms of writing. While some pages do seem to filled with repetitive lines and the writing almost verbose, the book never deviates from its original content and leaves the reader well satisfied. A great read that offers more than just a moving tale, this book is a recommended must simply for its superb writing alone.
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