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seasaltmocha's review against another edition
5.0
Very very relevant in today’s context and political climate of India.
thewordyhabitat's review against another edition
4.0
A short but contentful book, Prelude to a Riot was easy to read but also made me give it attention and annotate to fully understand what the author tried to portray. As the title says, it doesn't show the actual riots or the violence but rather what precedes it and how those small small thoughts and influences change the flow of the entire society.
Written in soliloquys of individual characters, without the structure of a normal book, the book shows us the thoughts of multiple characters and their views about their lives and surroundings. We see comparisons between modern day India and ancient history with the strange history teacher Garuda, how Hindu landowners think in terms of "us" and "them", how migrant labourers want to make lives for themselves and are shut down by higher classes because "there are always replacements for your jobs", and how the younger generation struggle to make a sense of everything and make actionable decisions after having the power of knowledge on their side.
It also an incomplete story because it just reflects modern day India and our stories are still being written. The book is food for thought.
Written in soliloquys of individual characters, without the structure of a normal book, the book shows us the thoughts of multiple characters and their views about their lives and surroundings. We see comparisons between modern day India and ancient history with the strange history teacher Garuda, how Hindu landowners think in terms of "us" and "them", how migrant labourers want to make lives for themselves and are shut down by higher classes because "there are always replacements for your jobs", and how the younger generation struggle to make a sense of everything and make actionable decisions after having the power of knowledge on their side.
It also an incomplete story because it just reflects modern day India and our stories are still being written. The book is food for thought.
namakurhea's review
3.0
I came across this title when checking out the 2020 JCB Prize shortlisters... and it is easy to know why this work has been shortlisted.
The story is set in a rural southern town. Here live three generations of two families, one Hindu and one Muslim, whose lives will be changed forever by the coming violence.
Despite being set in an Indian town, a lot of the elements and themes in the story feels very relatable wherever you come from. Violence sometimes happen like a big bang. But more often than not, it is the cumulative result of small changes here and there happening over generations. It is like a slow drip of water until the stone below caves in. There are microagressions... a remark here and there... a joke that cuts a little too deep. "Prelude to A Riot" is a relevant read especially in this increasingly divisive political climate.
The author's choice of writing the chapters in a series of soliloquys (feels almost like an interview) and newspaper clippings gave the book a very 'real' feel to it and feels almost like investigative journalism. And no wonder, Annie Zaidi herself is also a journalist. Also! This is a slow burning story and one of those plotlines where I would say the journey matters more than the destination. But definitely worth it.
Yo man, the process of getting this book into my hands is definitely W O R K. Had to cross continents! So a huge thank you for my friends who brought this to me because I was dying to read this!!
The story is set in a rural southern town. Here live three generations of two families, one Hindu and one Muslim, whose lives will be changed forever by the coming violence.
Despite being set in an Indian town, a lot of the elements and themes in the story feels very relatable wherever you come from. Violence sometimes happen like a big bang. But more often than not, it is the cumulative result of small changes here and there happening over generations. It is like a slow drip of water until the stone below caves in. There are microagressions... a remark here and there... a joke that cuts a little too deep. "Prelude to A Riot" is a relevant read especially in this increasingly divisive political climate.
The author's choice of writing the chapters in a series of soliloquys (feels almost like an interview) and newspaper clippings gave the book a very 'real' feel to it and feels almost like investigative journalism. And no wonder, Annie Zaidi herself is also a journalist. Also! This is a slow burning story and one of those plotlines where I would say the journey matters more than the destination. But definitely worth it.
Yo man, the process of getting this book into my hands is definitely W O R K. Had to cross continents! So a huge thank you for my friends who brought this to me because I was dying to read this!!
nuts246's review
5.0
Sometimes you pick up a book and find that it mirrors all your thoughts and ideas perfectly. Prelude to a Riot is one such. It is the story of two families, cutting across three generations, trying to find their place in a changing world. For some, the world changes in the way they want it to, others discover new ways of looking at things, and some others wonder how they will fit into the new world that is revealing itself.
The story is told through soliloquies, which helps you get into the thoughts of the character and explore them completely. From their perspective, everything they do is justified, even if you are not sure yourself.
And at the heart of it, there is patriarchy. However strong the women, they are forced to conform in a world that merely tolerates them.
A book I will certainly recommend to anyone who has the empathy to appreciate the different perspectives.
The story is told through soliloquies, which helps you get into the thoughts of the character and explore them completely. From their perspective, everything they do is justified, even if you are not sure yourself.
And at the heart of it, there is patriarchy. However strong the women, they are forced to conform in a world that merely tolerates them.
A book I will certainly recommend to anyone who has the empathy to appreciate the different perspectives.
cranky_young_woman's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
venkaism's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
ppratz's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
everyturnastory's review
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thatokiebird's review
3.0
I enjoyed this one, especially the individual’s voices and their family dynamics. The book was fairly fast-paced and for a book translated I feel I followed along well. And the list of characters at the beginning of the book was very helpful and I referenced it more than a few times.
And as I’m unfamiliar with so many aspects of the culture and politics, I know a lot went over my head, so it’s difficult for me to attempt to review. I read an article with the author after I finished the book, and this quote explains the essence of the book exquisitely - “[the book is] less concerned with the fate of individuals it describes and more with the fracturing of the body of the town itself. It is less the event of violence, and more the invention of it.”
This was the twelfth and final choice of the year for an online book club, and yet another book I previously had not known existed. I think next year it would be nice to find another similar casual book club to expand my reading list once more.
I’m not one to underline in my books but if I were, these passages stood out to me:
A book is a book. It does not hurt to read stories and poems. They give you knowledge of people’s hearts, which is the most precious knowledge of all.
My grandfather has no vision. Eyes, yes. He has eyes for everything. Eighteen types of butterflies in our garden. Twelve types of flowers, four types of ferns which do not appear to flower, yet they do.
One does not always miss what one knows. Sometimes the thing you miss most is the thing you never had.
And as I’m unfamiliar with so many aspects of the culture and politics, I know a lot went over my head, so it’s difficult for me to attempt to review. I read an article with the author after I finished the book, and this quote explains the essence of the book exquisitely - “[the book is] less concerned with the fate of individuals it describes and more with the fracturing of the body of the town itself. It is less the event of violence, and more the invention of it.”
This was the twelfth and final choice of the year for an online book club, and yet another book I previously had not known existed. I think next year it would be nice to find another similar casual book club to expand my reading list once more.
I’m not one to underline in my books but if I were, these passages stood out to me:
A book is a book. It does not hurt to read stories and poems. They give you knowledge of people’s hearts, which is the most precious knowledge of all.
My grandfather has no vision. Eyes, yes. He has eyes for everything. Eighteen types of butterflies in our garden. Twelve types of flowers, four types of ferns which do not appear to flower, yet they do.
One does not always miss what one knows. Sometimes the thing you miss most is the thing you never had.
cupitonians's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I give this book 5 billion stars and a 'please, please, PLEASE read it' prize. This is a short novella that really packs a punch and is so relevant to modern day India, especially with the mounting religious tensions in India today. Heart-breaking, reflective and a masterpiece of character building. I cannot wait to read more from Annie!