Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

1 review

littlecake's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

To Anjum, her wit and courage,

To the chosen family she made for herself,

To Tilo, her powerful yet calm energy and her sharp observations

To Musa, his fierce spirit and his gentle heart

To Udaya, to the love you got and bought and the heritage you uphold

To Old Delhi, its galiyaan and the many lives that intertwine within

To Kashmir, to Kashmiris and to the fight against oppression and occupation.

To all of you, my heart goes.

My feelings

I really loved this book, an all-time favourite. It is set between Old Delhi and Kashmir and follows an amazing cast of characters belonging to minorities or persecuted groups in India. Through their stories, you get a scan of India and its politics for the last 40 years. And it isn't pretty. So many topics are tackled: Hijara and/or trans people, Islamophobia, Hindutva nationalism, casteism, Kashmir and Occupation, oppression of Adivasi, etc.

As much as I loved the book, it was hard to read. Not because of Roy's style (although it required concentration at times) but because the content really moved me. Being an Indian Muslim, so many parts about Islamophobia and nationalism were disheartening, and the part about Kashmir was crushing. These feelings were enhanced by the ongoing news in India.

But reading some articulate criticism of India's politics was comforting. I found the Old Delhi part heartwarming because my family is from there. The descriptions of the place are so on point; they made me nostalgic for my homeland.

The story

The first part of the book follows Anjum's journey! I get why it's the most popular part of the book. She is a lovely character with so many layers and complexity.

Many people didn't like Tilo's part (the 2nd part of the book) and found it confusing. I actually got really quickly engrossed in it. Mostly because Tiloo and Musa are fascinating characters, and I loved learning about them through Bilaap and Naga. The relationship between Tilo and Musa is heartwarming and feels organic. Yet because of the context they are in, it really breaks your heart simultaneously.

The most heartwarming part was when Tilo and Anjum finally met. Even though the book is quite depressing because it looks at India's current violence with no filter, the ending gives warmth to your heart without being cheesy. Everything comes in full circle, and different storylines get a conclusion.

The writing

The writing is really gripping, and it takes you through a very intimate experience with each character. In this book, Old Delhi and Kashmir are also characters of their own, and we get to learn a lot about them.

Some of the parts might have benefited from better editing. For example, there are two journal entries here: the first one with the rant of Tilo's mother is sometimes confusing and could have been shorter. But I got her obsession with casteism. However, I read the second one about Kashmir quickly and found it informative yet heartwrenching.

The symbolism

The graveyard is a kind of a metaphor. It contains all of the souls, groups and minorities that the Dunia of mainstream India refuses to see and acknowledge. Yet, they form a community in which they find friendship and solidarity.

The only character talking in the first person is Bilaap. He is kind of a representation of the ordinary reader, a stereotypical high society Indian brahmin. He is piecing together the story of Tiloo just as the reader is. His opinions are the typical ones shaped by mainstream media. The change that happens within him is what Roy wants to see in his reader. Yet she still calls out their privilege, and Musa gives provocative thought to the reader and Bilaap to ponder upon.

Why it might not be for you?

Eventhough I am enthusiastic about this book, I understand some of the negative reviews, and I think it's definitely not for everyone. Two necessary conditions to enjoy this book are :

You must be interested and have some knowledge about Indian politics. Roy is more a political essayist, and it shows. She will do a really radical commentary on today's India through the characters' eyes. She touches on some really controversial topics: caste, Kashmir, Islamophobia, etc. It's important to know that this book is not written for a western audience. Things are not explained and she often refers to different politicians by funny descriptions. But if you don't know the Indian political scene, you will be super confused. Its main target is the south Asian audience.
You must enjoy characters driven books a lot. There is not much of a plot here. We go deep into the characters' reality, their vision of the world and history. If you want something moving fast with an action this one is not for you.

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