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agirlwithalotofbooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
ayatichoudhary's review
5.0
Rukmini, an Assamese marries Alex, a Malyali and was banished from her house by her mother, Usha for doing so. That was 25 years ago, now let's come to the present. Now Rukmini and Alex are divorced and their daughter, Loya wants to know more about the family from which her mother was banished. On the pretext of studying elephants in Kaziranga, she decides to go to Guwahati, to the Yellow House to seek answers from her grandfather Torun, much against the wishes of her mother.
I really liked how the characters were sketched, how real they felt. I even liked Usha, not for what she did to Rukmini but the way Torun described her, I admired her strong and formidable personality. I also liked Loya, for how strong-willed and determined she was. The writing style was calm and soothing. The ending baffled me; it easily caught me off guard. In just about 200 pages, Jahnavi talks about the political unrest in Assam, the majestic Brahmaputra, the history of Assam and the tale of this dysfunctional family.
Undertow is an amazing read that'll leave you wanting for more and satisfied at the same time!
I really liked how the characters were sketched, how real they felt. I even liked Usha, not for what she did to Rukmini but the way Torun described her, I admired her strong and formidable personality. I also liked Loya, for how strong-willed and determined she was. The writing style was calm and soothing. The ending baffled me; it easily caught me off guard. In just about 200 pages, Jahnavi talks about the political unrest in Assam, the majestic Brahmaputra, the history of Assam and the tale of this dysfunctional family.
Undertow is an amazing read that'll leave you wanting for more and satisfied at the same time!
pretty_little_bibliophile's review
5.0
Undertow has definitely been one of the best books I have read this year. I talk about my love for it on my Youtube video, so please do check it out!
To see the pics, check out my blog
Set in Guwahati, Undertow has been a gem of a book and I was in love from the very first page. It was our first ever Book Of The Month for our very new venture – Assam Book Club.
Reading this book during this time in history (as I am self-isolating during the Covid crisis) is probably the reason why this book hit me as it did. I saw my beautiful state, or rather, my beautiful city from the eyes of Loya, who is visiting here for the first time. I was travel-sick in a way and at the same time, home-sick, and I wanted to roam about the city as I did once upon a time.
Undertow was also included in the longlist for the JCB Prize in Literature and it felt so good to be represented. In mainstream Indian literature, which is also mostly of Central India, we Northeasterners hardly figure except as token characters. So this was a refreshing and welcome change. I felt represented, my culture and my way of life felt represented. This representation of Assam, taking into consideration the time period it is set in, was actually very apt and I myself could remember various scenarios I faced as I grew up (particularly the political aspects).
Check out my list of THE BOOKS TO READ from North East India!
I also made a spread for this book where I took for my inspiration the vibrant blue of the cover. And here is when we spend a few moments to admire the symbolic cover (I’m a lit major after all). The girl felt solid and at at the same time, a lone figure amidst the blue swirling around her.
I also think that just like the beautiful cover, the writing too was full of stunning imagery. And it so was. I felt like I was a tourist here, but then again, the representation of Assamese life is so true and realistic.
The relationships among the people were also well portrayed, including all the various nuances and undertones of emotions. Anger, spite, love, sadness, guilt etc. were all shown via the actions of the characters. I think it was all so beautiful in its wholeness. The author also delves over the lines that can separate families, orthodox ones; over choices in one’s spouse, job etc. It was true in the case of Rukmini (spouse) as well as Loya (job).
Talking about the ending, which has understandably divided the readership into two, I have to admit that I am quite satisfied with it. It felt like the story has in some way come to a full circle. I would like to reiterate that I really do believe that ending was necessary and that it was justified.
Overall, I thought it was a gem of a book and you should definitely pick it up! 5/5 stars!
To see the pics, check out my blog
Set in Guwahati, Undertow has been a gem of a book and I was in love from the very first page. It was our first ever Book Of The Month for our very new venture – Assam Book Club.
Reading this book during this time in history (as I am self-isolating during the Covid crisis) is probably the reason why this book hit me as it did. I saw my beautiful state, or rather, my beautiful city from the eyes of Loya, who is visiting here for the first time. I was travel-sick in a way and at the same time, home-sick, and I wanted to roam about the city as I did once upon a time.
Undertow was also included in the longlist for the JCB Prize in Literature and it felt so good to be represented. In mainstream Indian literature, which is also mostly of Central India, we Northeasterners hardly figure except as token characters. So this was a refreshing and welcome change. I felt represented, my culture and my way of life felt represented. This representation of Assam, taking into consideration the time period it is set in, was actually very apt and I myself could remember various scenarios I faced as I grew up (particularly the political aspects).
Check out my list of THE BOOKS TO READ from North East India!
I also made a spread for this book where I took for my inspiration the vibrant blue of the cover. And here is when we spend a few moments to admire the symbolic cover (I’m a lit major after all). The girl felt solid and at at the same time, a lone figure amidst the blue swirling around her.
I also think that just like the beautiful cover, the writing too was full of stunning imagery. And it so was. I felt like I was a tourist here, but then again, the representation of Assamese life is so true and realistic.
The relationships among the people were also well portrayed, including all the various nuances and undertones of emotions. Anger, spite, love, sadness, guilt etc. were all shown via the actions of the characters. I think it was all so beautiful in its wholeness. The author also delves over the lines that can separate families, orthodox ones; over choices in one’s spouse, job etc. It was true in the case of Rukmini (spouse) as well as Loya (job).
Talking about the ending, which has understandably divided the readership into two, I have to admit that I am quite satisfied with it. It felt like the story has in some way come to a full circle. I would like to reiterate that I really do believe that ending was necessary and that it was justified.
Overall, I thought it was a gem of a book and you should definitely pick it up! 5/5 stars!
spokensilence9's review
5.0
Undertow by Jahnavi Barua is one of those books that you want to finish reading soon, but also want to cherish each and every expression that's presented in it.
Did I ever thought a tale about dysfunctional family from the perspective of the third generation child would be so interesting and will be covering the aspects like what impact does casteism has on people's lives, how the political activities would effect the commoners and each point, Everytime raised is equally thought provoking.
From loya staying over with her estranged grandfather, having petty arguments with her mother - which is quite similar to the relation her mother Rukmini has shared with her grandmother Usha. This book kind of defended my argument that "like mother - like daughter" bonds. Though the mothers here love their daughters deeply they do not have it in them to accept the choices of their kids, similarly the daughters have immense respect for their mothers, they still chose to stick to their grounds. Rukmini is both, the mother of Loya and the daughter of Usha.
The descriptions author has given about the food, places and the emotions the characters are undergoing makes you feel and enjoy every moment of it, you'll be transported to Assam in your head.
I couldn't particularly make it anything about what the cover has with the story until I reached very end, and oh boy! Did I understand anything? I don't know. Just like all the great books, even Undertow ends without a proper closure.
Oh yeah, did I mention about the little Assamese historical events that are included in this book?
Do I recommend this book?
Hell Yes! Everyone with a messed up and melancholic mind will enjoy this book to the core, and the rest too, enjoy reading it over the crust.
Note:- If you have a thing for poetic and detailed descriptions, this book is THE ONE for you!
Did I ever thought a tale about dysfunctional family from the perspective of the third generation child would be so interesting and will be covering the aspects like what impact does casteism has on people's lives, how the political activities would effect the commoners and each point, Everytime raised is equally thought provoking.
From loya staying over with her estranged grandfather, having petty arguments with her mother - which is quite similar to the relation her mother Rukmini has shared with her grandmother Usha. This book kind of defended my argument that "like mother - like daughter" bonds. Though the mothers here love their daughters deeply they do not have it in them to accept the choices of their kids, similarly the daughters have immense respect for their mothers, they still chose to stick to their grounds. Rukmini is both, the mother of Loya and the daughter of Usha.
The descriptions author has given about the food, places and the emotions the characters are undergoing makes you feel and enjoy every moment of it, you'll be transported to Assam in your head.
I couldn't particularly make it anything about what the cover has with the story until I reached very end, and oh boy! Did I understand anything? I don't know. Just like all the great books, even Undertow ends without a proper closure.
Oh yeah, did I mention about the little Assamese historical events that are included in this book?
Do I recommend this book?
Hell Yes! Everyone with a messed up and melancholic mind will enjoy this book to the core, and the rest too, enjoy reading it over the crust.
Note:- If you have a thing for poetic and detailed descriptions, this book is THE ONE for you!
theobviousmystery's review
4.0
Starting the #readingindia project with @every.turn.a.story and @deepthi.m__ is one of the best things that I have done in 2020. Four months in and I have already been exposed to a number of books that have taken their rightful spots on my tbr! Undertow is one such book that I might not have picked up if it weren't for the project and I am really glad I did.
Undertow is the story of a young girl named Loya who returns to Assam in an attempt to reunite with her grandfather. A tale filled with emotion, Undertow tells their story in two perspectives, and their struggles to understand each other while the generation gap between them looms significantly.
The narration was almost poetic, the prose lyrical. I liked how the words pulled on my emotions and kept it at a level where I needed to know more. It was a strong story about family and how the longing between blood never fades. The grandfather Romen, reminded me of Ove. His interactions with Loya were short bursts of happiness like pop rocks in your mouth. The story in its rawest form, adopts an 'I will dictate life the way it is. get ready for it' attitude and pushes forward.
With a brilliant plot converging to an almost superior ending, Jahnavi paints a masterpiece in just 180 pages. In addition to the plot, the vivid descriptions of Assam, its culture, the political landscape and the food (always the food) created a longing to visit the place.
The ending, contrary to popular belief, left me deeply satisfied. I cannot explain it, whether it was the openness (at least to me) or the structure in which it was framed made me go into a state of deep thought and later emerge with the satisfaction of having read a beautiful book. I will be visiting Jahnavi's other works soon!
I highly recommend this book!
Undertow is the story of a young girl named Loya who returns to Assam in an attempt to reunite with her grandfather. A tale filled with emotion, Undertow tells their story in two perspectives, and their struggles to understand each other while the generation gap between them looms significantly.
The narration was almost poetic, the prose lyrical. I liked how the words pulled on my emotions and kept it at a level where I needed to know more. It was a strong story about family and how the longing between blood never fades. The grandfather Romen, reminded me of Ove. His interactions with Loya were short bursts of happiness like pop rocks in your mouth. The story in its rawest form, adopts an 'I will dictate life the way it is. get ready for it' attitude and pushes forward.
With a brilliant plot converging to an almost superior ending, Jahnavi paints a masterpiece in just 180 pages. In addition to the plot, the vivid descriptions of Assam, its culture, the political landscape and the food (always the food) created a longing to visit the place.
The ending, contrary to popular belief, left me deeply satisfied. I cannot explain it, whether it was the openness (at least to me) or the structure in which it was framed made me go into a state of deep thought and later emerge with the satisfaction of having read a beautiful book. I will be visiting Jahnavi's other works soon!
I highly recommend this book!
delph_10's review
2.0
Had high hopes from this book. Now, I have mixed feelings though.
The writing was good. The characters were real. But still, I couldn't find a connect throughout the story. There were some hopeful moments but I think I wanted much more.
Still, would recommend it to anyone over Savi Sharma and Chetan Bhagat any day.
The writing was good. The characters were real. But still, I couldn't find a connect throughout the story. There were some hopeful moments but I think I wanted much more.
Still, would recommend it to anyone over Savi Sharma and Chetan Bhagat any day.
musingswithshachi's review
3.0
3.5
What was that ending?
I was feeling all the emotions of the situations, enjoying exquisite the picturesque description and the culture of Assam and understanding the turmoil of the land. And then bam! That ending hit me so bad that I went from 5 to straight 3.5.
I don't know what to make out of that ending. But overall:
- Loved the writing
- Was short and beautiful
- Involved emotions of need for one's identity and home.
- Discussed relationship dynamics ( specially parental)
A must read to have a peek into the beautiful part of our country and understand it's culture better. ❤️
What was that ending?
I was feeling all the emotions of the situations, enjoying exquisite the picturesque description and the culture of Assam and understanding the turmoil of the land. And then bam! That ending hit me so bad that I went from 5 to straight 3.5.
I don't know what to make out of that ending. But overall:
- Loved the writing
- Was short and beautiful
- Involved emotions of need for one's identity and home.
- Discussed relationship dynamics ( specially parental)
A must read to have a peek into the beautiful part of our country and understand it's culture better. ❤️
athu's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thebookffeinated's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0