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pratyush's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
4.5 Stars.
It is quite an entertaining read, and to know so much about my own Odia culture and the ancestors of Odisha. The imagery of Odia village, its people and the way they live is utterly fascinating and reminds me of my childhood when I was in my village for most of the time. I am really excited to read more Odia books and especially Senapati's other work Lachhama which I bought last month. Fakir Mohan Senapati is a towering figure in Odia literature whose short stories I had read during my high school years. Hopefully, I would explore more of his works in the future.
snufflesxx's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of the most distinctive naraatorial voice I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Quick, witty, funny and sarcastic to the bone, the narrator takes the story of a simple town and makes it extremely memorable.
singh_reads_kanwar2's review against another edition
4.0
Review: The story start with example of kohinoor as the diamond whosoever it went, it ruins there families and with zero survivor until it goes to britishers.
Here the author Fakir Mohan Senapati shows the story as a weaver family got a six acres and third land in dowry a family was happily living a peaceful life without any problems and the land was fertile one , everyone has a eye on it to buy the land , but weaver didn't wanna give up land, so greedy people make his gullible wife do it and she sold it and husband die in order to retrieve it back and wife was put behind bars in murder charge, maid got killed while trying to escape with money by her own love, lover died due to storm in river and zamindar met his fate as his greed ruin his house and land remained untouched.
Characters are beautiful, exciting, sensible and realistic in nature humour cause by zamindar maid and death are the tragic events that change the course of book is very good and mature.
really important point of views are given in the text....
and quote i like the most from that is ...
kohinoor-the famous diamond ruins every family who owns that diamonds
Here the author Fakir Mohan Senapati shows the story as a weaver family got a six acres and third land in dowry a family was happily living a peaceful life without any problems and the land was fertile one , everyone has a eye on it to buy the land , but weaver didn't wanna give up land, so greedy people make his gullible wife do it and she sold it and husband die in order to retrieve it back and wife was put behind bars in murder charge, maid got killed while trying to escape with money by her own love, lover died due to storm in river and zamindar met his fate as his greed ruin his house and land remained untouched.
Characters are beautiful, exciting, sensible and realistic in nature humour cause by zamindar maid and death are the tragic events that change the course of book is very good and mature.
really important point of views are given in the text....
and quote i like the most from that is ...
kohinoor-the famous diamond ruins every family who owns that diamonds
purba's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. Witty narrator, playful language. Plot treatment is exceptionally good. Lot of times I have seen Senapati being compared to Rabindranath, but I believe, I have never found anything like that in Any of his writing, rather here Senapati is complimenting Hutom's style, in a completely fictionalised plot. Extremely pleasing book.
agarje1's review against another edition
A great satire of rural life in the transition period between the Mughal era and the British era in India. Hilarity, biting criticism of elites, native language advocacy - what's not to love?
pretty_little_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
One of my recent reads has been this fantastic novel on Indian society and culture, in a small town in what is modern-day Odisha, then under the Colonial rule. I am also reading it for Smriti's @sant.reads #LitWithIndianLit
SIX AND A THIRD ACRES is such a wonderful mix of all - firstly, we have an absolutely witty narrator who uses and also often defies the accepted norms and rules when it comes to writing. He/She is so innocently sarcastic that it was like reading a satire on the hypocrisy of these men in power and how they try to cheat others all under the pretense of helping them.
This book has it all - the way the zamindars (local landowners) oppressed and looted the peasants, even as the White Masters continued to oppress and loot the Indians. We see the social scenario of the people of this place and how their lot in life is dependent on this eponymous plot of land - the sale and ownership of which, ultimately affects these people.
To be honest, when I found out what the book is about, I expected something along the lines of a Dickensian novel. But the narrator just made everything so much better! I was chuckling half the time! I thought this was a very original work that is a must read for you if you are hoping to delve into the treasure trove that is #indianliterature because this is definitely one of the best ones that I have ever come across!
SIX AND A THIRD ACRES is such a wonderful mix of all - firstly, we have an absolutely witty narrator who uses and also often defies the accepted norms and rules when it comes to writing. He/She is so innocently sarcastic that it was like reading a satire on the hypocrisy of these men in power and how they try to cheat others all under the pretense of helping them.
This book has it all - the way the zamindars (local landowners) oppressed and looted the peasants, even as the White Masters continued to oppress and loot the Indians. We see the social scenario of the people of this place and how their lot in life is dependent on this eponymous plot of land - the sale and ownership of which, ultimately affects these people.
To be honest, when I found out what the book is about, I expected something along the lines of a Dickensian novel. But the narrator just made everything so much better! I was chuckling half the time! I thought this was a very original work that is a must read for you if you are hoping to delve into the treasure trove that is #indianliterature because this is definitely one of the best ones that I have ever come across!
reethu_ravi's review
4.0
Touted as the first modern Odia novel, Six And A Third Acres was originally published between 1897-99 as "Chha Mana Atha Guntha" in the literary monthly "Utkal Sahitya." Set in Govindpur village in Odisha, the novel is a hilarious take on the village life in India under colonial rule. It talks about a sly and wicked Zamindar from the village, Ramchandra Mangaraj, who is known for taking over the lands of the poor villagers. Soon, he sets eyes on six and third acres of land belonging to a weaver couple, who falls prey to his devious schemes. As the ownership of the small patch of land passes through many hands, things take a turn for the worse for all those involved.
What I loved the most about the novel is the witty and sarcastic narrator of the story - I can't remember the number of times I burst out laughing at the narrator's tongue-in-cheek humour. That aside, the author has done a remarkable job in portraying some prevalent issues such as village politics, caste-based discriminations, and the oppression of the poor through his characters. Be it the cunning Mangaraj or the god-fearing weaver couple - Bhagia and Saria - all the characters are realistic. Over a century after it was originally published, the book stays relevant to the present times and resonates with generations of readers.
Six And A Third Acres is a funny and captivating read that is perfect for a lazy weekend. I'd highly recommend this book if you're someone who enjoys Indian translations. I'd also recommend it if you are a fan of satires or is looking for something light after a heavy read.
What I loved the most about the novel is the witty and sarcastic narrator of the story - I can't remember the number of times I burst out laughing at the narrator's tongue-in-cheek humour. That aside, the author has done a remarkable job in portraying some prevalent issues such as village politics, caste-based discriminations, and the oppression of the poor through his characters. Be it the cunning Mangaraj or the god-fearing weaver couple - Bhagia and Saria - all the characters are realistic. Over a century after it was originally published, the book stays relevant to the present times and resonates with generations of readers.
Six And A Third Acres is a funny and captivating read that is perfect for a lazy weekend. I'd highly recommend this book if you're someone who enjoys Indian translations. I'd also recommend it if you are a fan of satires or is looking for something light after a heavy read.
chandanakuruganty's review against another edition
5.0
"If a bowl of wine and a bowl of water are placed in front of a drunkard, he will certainly prefer the former; only when he is desperately thirsty does he realize that though wine is intoxicating, water gives life."
There was not one dull or boring moment in reading this absolutely well written satirical work and kudos to translator for keeping in place Sanskrit Shlokas and providing a very literal meanings to some of them (pun intended)! Author's writing style is refereshing, new and nuanced showing deep understanding of society, beliefs, history of Odisha and emotions of people. Story presentation, character development and moral takeaway are simple and subtly hard-hitting, making it one of my favorite reads of the year.
On a concluding note, the tragic/ not so tragic ending in the book subsumes to the background when the author makes a note of Kalidasa's line "God is averse to creating a human being who is blessed with all joys of life."
There was not one dull or boring moment in reading this absolutely well written satirical work and kudos to translator for keeping in place Sanskrit Shlokas and providing a very literal meanings to some of them (pun intended)! Author's writing style is refereshing, new and nuanced showing deep understanding of society, beliefs, history of Odisha and emotions of people. Story presentation, character development and moral takeaway are simple and subtly hard-hitting, making it one of my favorite reads of the year.
On a concluding note, the tragic/ not so tragic ending in the book subsumes to the background when the author makes a note of Kalidasa's line "God is averse to creating a human being who is blessed with all joys of life."
joeesomething's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Actual Rating: 3.7 stars
What do these six and a third acres represent? It is said that the Kohinoor, the world-famous diamond, destroyed every family that owned it. The fate of kings from Allauddin to Ranjit Singh is shining proof of this. And yet, ever since this jewel has adorned the crown of our highly revered, greatly honored empress of India, who dwells in the White Island and who manifests like our goddess Kamala, the fame and power of England have spread all over the globe. The poison that kills everyone else glows around the throat of Lord Mahadeba, the God of gods, and expresses his supreme divinity. The point of this is that nothing in its rightful place is ever a source of trouble.
What a book! It's hard to believe that this was published in 1896.
The concept and the execution of the book is admirable indeed. The book talks about a colonial India where zamindars, or landlords/landowners were granted a lot of power by the British Raj. It's written in a socio-poltical view, with satire as the main theme, but then transitions to a more social view on the society. Takes into account the author's observations of rural Orissa during the 1830s.
The satire is ideally what makes the book a forward-thinking realistic one, but then I have come to realise that I personally don't like satire THAT much, hence the lesser rating.
However, if you are an Indian, it's a must read for sure.
What do these six and a third acres represent? It is said that the Kohinoor, the world-famous diamond, destroyed every family that owned it. The fate of kings from Allauddin to Ranjit Singh is shining proof of this. And yet, ever since this jewel has adorned the crown of our highly revered, greatly honored empress of India, who dwells in the White Island and who manifests like our goddess Kamala, the fame and power of England have spread all over the globe. The poison that kills everyone else glows around the throat of Lord Mahadeba, the God of gods, and expresses his supreme divinity. The point of this is that nothing in its rightful place is ever a source of trouble.
What a book! It's hard to believe that this was published in 1896.
The concept and the execution of the book is admirable indeed. The book talks about a colonial India where zamindars, or landlords/landowners were granted a lot of power by the British Raj. It's written in a socio-poltical view, with satire as the main theme, but then transitions to a more social view on the society. Takes into account the author's observations of rural Orissa during the 1830s.
The satire is ideally what makes the book a forward-thinking realistic one, but then I have come to realise that I personally don't like satire THAT much, hence the lesser rating.
However, if you are an Indian, it's a must read for sure.