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susanj13's review against another edition
4.0
A woman's search for her daughter who was separated from her as a toddler by the "culture police" of the society as a punishment for marrying out of her religion. Sounds eerily familiar to something you might have read of in the papers? Well, the book is supposed to be dystopian themed but everything in it comes very close to fitting the bill in our present day world (more specifically, Indian society). The kind of stuff that creeps you out and makes you squirm in your seat.
I thought the content of the novel was very well compiled, though the writing did not quite win my heart at times. Often it felt like the big picture was being lost in the fine details like the description of a building or a street. But nevertheless, a very impressive debut novel.
I thought the content of the novel was very well compiled, though the writing did not quite win my heart at times. Often it felt like the big picture was being lost in the fine details like the description of a building or a street. But nevertheless, a very impressive debut novel.
aishablue's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Islamophobia
lesbianwolves's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.0
san_13's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
janehaggis's review
reflective
sad
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
premxs's review
4.0
Leila is a novel of, and for, our times. Prayaag Akbar conjures up a terrifyingly plausible reality where various 'communities' (read: castes and religions) are assigned separate 'sectors,' hidden away behind imposing walls in an unnamed, yet distinctly Indian city. The roots of these divisions are evidently borrowed from the quietly segregated societies we live in, and extrapolated to a tangible dystopia.
Borrowing elements from classics such as 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale, Prayaag tells a startlingly human story of love and loss, in an atmosphere of social divisions turned on their head. It's easy to get lost in the messaging of the novel, but Prayaag ensures we're always rooted to the devastated life of 'protagonist' Shalini, looking for her long-lost daughter, Leila. The emotions of the characters are laid forth in brutal, clear phrasing - there is no escape from what they face.
The flashback sequences, which form a significant chunk of the book, reveal the slow-but-sure march to the absolutist state in the 'present,' presenting recognizable versions of a police state, violent fundamentalist forces (who emphasize 'purity' and an adherence to 'traditions') and the role of caste and class privilege. I had to pause and catch my breath at several moments throughout the book, since anyone who's even vaguely aware of the happenings in the India around us should be able to recognize just how close we are to the version of the country described here- although we wish it to be surreal, it's startlingly visceral.
There are a few minor quibbles I had with the pacing of the plot, which sags in a few places, and awkwardly speeds up towards the end, but these detract very little from the book.
Leila is an extremely important, uncomfortably accurate novel that truly toes a fine line between fiction and non-fiction. Given Prayaag Akbar's background as a journalist, this isn't surprising. Read this book, and think about what its world entails. And then ask yourself if this is a world you want to live in. If it is, you're part of the problem. If it's not, be a part of the solution.
Borrowing elements from classics such as 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale, Prayaag tells a startlingly human story of love and loss, in an atmosphere of social divisions turned on their head. It's easy to get lost in the messaging of the novel, but Prayaag ensures we're always rooted to the devastated life of 'protagonist' Shalini, looking for her long-lost daughter, Leila. The emotions of the characters are laid forth in brutal, clear phrasing - there is no escape from what they face.
The flashback sequences, which form a significant chunk of the book, reveal the slow-but-sure march to the absolutist state in the 'present,' presenting recognizable versions of a police state, violent fundamentalist forces (who emphasize 'purity' and an adherence to 'traditions') and the role of caste and class privilege. I had to pause and catch my breath at several moments throughout the book, since anyone who's even vaguely aware of the happenings in the India around us should be able to recognize just how close we are to the version of the country described here- although we wish it to be surreal, it's startlingly visceral.
There are a few minor quibbles I had with the pacing of the plot, which sags in a few places, and awkwardly speeds up towards the end, but these detract very little from the book.
Leila is an extremely important, uncomfortably accurate novel that truly toes a fine line between fiction and non-fiction. Given Prayaag Akbar's background as a journalist, this isn't surprising. Read this book, and think about what its world entails. And then ask yourself if this is a world you want to live in. If it is, you're part of the problem. If it's not, be a part of the solution.
shelleyanderson4127's review
5.0
This is a gripping read from beginning to end. Set in a chilling near future in an India where the wealthy live in walled communities with clean air and water, and the poor scavenge through rubbish to survive. Shalini was once one of the privileged, until she marries a man of a different community and has a daughter. But the nationalist Purity movement has gained power and Shalini's daughter is taken away. Shalini herself survives re-education in a Purity Camp and dedicates the rest of her life to searching for her daughter. With echoes of The Handmaid's Tale, and vivid depictions of the climate crisis, this well-written novel has garnered many awards. It deserves every one of them.
nanditalaks's review
5.0
This book was a stunner. One of the best works of speculative fiction I have read recently. Prayaag Akbar's chilling tale of a mother's search for her daughter is set in an Urban India that has been pushed to communal segregation driven by hate and the struggles for access to resources, clean air and water. It is a world of walled communities connected by flyovers and protected within geo-domes with a slum of the marginalized people living below them. The dystopian world Akbar builds is disturbingly familiar and frightening. It explores class privilege with subtle references to caste, community and dietary preferences. And the ending was such a punch in the gut. Absolutely brilliant!
P.S - Popsugar 2018 prompt - A book you meant to read in 2017 and didn't get to it
P.S - Popsugar 2018 prompt - A book you meant to read in 2017 and didn't get to it
emoweaboo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
this was a looong read for me bc it really hit the _*°traumaaa spot°*_
I also had issues with the pacing and some of the narrative structure but it was still good!
this was a looong read for me bc it really hit the _*°traumaaa spot°*_
I also had issues with the pacing and some of the narrative structure but it was still good!
mantisabel's review
4.0
An unflinchingly honest story about privilege in the Indian context. This book nudges its audience into questioning the society around them at a crucial time in Indian politics, achieving this through a gripping fictional narrative with amazingly well written characters. The only shortcoming in my view is that the plot is anachronistic, which made me feel like the story occasionally loses its way. Overall though, a great read. I look forward to the Netflix adaptation!