A Suitable Book
I am crazy. How else can you explain the fetish to read the same books so many times!! Amongst the multitude of books that I have re-read, one is the modern epic ‘A Suitable Boy’ by Vikram Seth. Aged 16, 21 and 23, I have read it thrice and every time the book has simply grown upon me!It’s a classic in true sense. Set in the period of 1950s it describes the socio-political scenario during the immediate post independence era. It has more to it than just the Partition. From the highly anglicized Calcutta public to the poorest tenants and the bloodsucking landlords of Rudhia, it covers a plethora of people. The number of main characters in the book would not be less than 20 something!! It talks mainly about four families – the Mehras, the Kapoors, the Chatterjees and the Khans – connected together by the bonds of marriage and friendship. As the title suggests, the book unravels the journey of a mother in search of a suitable boy for her daughter. But apart from that there are many sub stories which are happening simultaneously in the lives of the other characters of the book and somehow it all seems to fit in. The author has painted such a beautiful picture of how exactly the masses, the peasants, the politicians reacted to the new evolving constitution that was India! Even Jawaharlal Nehru has a cameo in the book!
The characters of the book are simply awesome! They are so real. The author shows an immense insight into human psyche while depicting all the characters and the way they react to the various situations. Mrs Rupa Mehra, the mother, is completely acceptable what with her “water works”, her continuous self pity and her affection for her daughter! Lata as the “girl” is somebody you can relate to. Her anxities, hopes, dreams and fears are something every girl in her stage would feel. Though I personally did not really approve of her choice of the “Suitable Boy”, I am sure she would spend a happy life with him :) Kabir is wonderful with his cricket, wavy hair, good humour and delightful looks. Maan inspite of his vices wins your heart. Firoz and Imtiaz are just like young guys should be. Savita and Pran are just like a loving couple you know. Arun and Meenakshee, the hip couple you frown upon! Amit, the cynical poet, is somebody you don’t get to meet everyday. Kakoli, rather Kuku, is just as rare. Deepankar sounds more like a western character who is mystified by the Indian religion who seeks the Truth. And Tapan’s too normal to be a Chatterjee! I rather like all the Chatterjees inspite (or more likely because) of their idiosyncrasies. You pity and despise Varun at the same time. Haresh is straightforward, sincere and a bit flashy. He is too sure of himself, I feel. The other characters, though not the principal characters, but just as well depicted are absent-minded but genius Professor Durrani, sly yet vulnerable (to Maan’s affection)Saeeda Begum, the gentle Nawab Sahib, adjusting Veena, all-caring Kedarnath, extremely intelligent Bhaskar, precocious Aparna and even stupid Bibbo! These characters definitely leave a mark in the reader’s mind.
The book integrates the romantic, politic and social issues so wonderfully. Some passages with the Parliament and court room sessions tend to become boring, but I think one should not skip them at least during the first reading. But the main feature of the book is the language. It’s as lucid as it gets! The author’s words flow like poetry. Though there is no lack of poetry, in the form of Kuku couplets, Amit’s “Fever Bird” and his inscription to Lata (brilliant idea!) Even the index is in the form of poetry!! The author shows immense command over the language. The way he describes the riots and the stampede is simply awesome!
Apart from these tangible pluses, the intangible one is that the author creates a world for us to revel in. You feel a part of the whole drama. I have spent restless nights wondering whom would Lata marry, if Maan would be convicted, if Pran would finally get healthy and fit. I have cried over Kabir’s heartbreak and laughed at the idiotic Chatterji exchanges. In short I have been completely immersed in the book!
All in all a great book. To be read (at least) once in a lifetime. What “Gone with the Wind” might be for the western readers, “A Suitable Boy” would be for Indians…
posted by Ila @ 5:07 PM
4 Comments:
Nicely written I must say!
Do try "An Equal Music"...its almost as good as the Suitable boy but i found it to be much smarter!
i randomly saw your post on the site, so i hope you don't mind me commenting on it...
i just wanted to say that i totally agree with you! it's one of the best books i've read EVER! i found myself identifying completely with lata, falling in love with kabir myself, and also losing my patience at "Ma"'s incessant "water works". It's a brilliant book, and everything I've read after has seemed very very very bland.
shachi
(i'm 16 years old)
oh, had i the options lata had (kabir, amit and haresh), i wouldn't have thought twice before marrying kabir. he was PERFECT! even amit appealed to me to a certain extent. but haresh! sheesh, he was so boring, my heart went out to her!
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