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tot_sue's review
4.0
So compelling and beatify written. Deep insight into the current political tragedies befalling India. Time to learn more.
hifza_k's review
5.0
Liked this more than her fiction books. Not on topics I'm too invested in. Nevertheless, liked it. There's a chapter that talks about the origin of Urdu and the whole Urdu vs. Hindi ordeal. Really interesting.
tbeer17's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Inspiring. Arundhati Roy writes brilliantly and passionately about the issues facing modern day India. Admittedly, I was in India when I read it so my response was slightly informed by being able to actually see the problems discussed, but even so an unbelievably well written commentary on modern India. I think she might be the best author I’ve encountered in 2023: the god of small things and the ministry of utmost happiness also get rave reviews
adiya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Last year, in an effort to diversify my reading, I decided to delved into non-fiction essay collections and short stories, veering away from my habitual consumption of novels and occasional self-help non-fiction. Having previously immersed myself in Arundhati Roy's literary realm through "The God of Small Things" and "Ministry of Utmost Happiness" back in 2017 or 2016 when I was still in my formative years, I was captivated by her insightful perspectives and bold activism. Roy's stature as an Indian author renowned for her social justice advocacy made picking up "Azadi" an instinctive choice.
In "Azadi," Arundhati Roy ventures deep into the core of contemporary India, navigating its intricate political, societal, and identity landscapes with characteristic insight and courage. Through a collection of essays and speeches, she challenges prevailing narratives and scrutinizes the notion of freedom in India. Roy's incisive analysis sheds light on multifaceted struggles for liberation, from battling corporate greed and environmental degradation to resisting state-sponsored violence and oppression.
What distinguishes "Azadi" is Roy's unwavering commitment to truth-telling. Fearlessly, she confronts uncomfortable realities and exposes the underlying structures of inequality and injustice pervading Indian society. With meticulous research and eloquent prose, Roy unveils the hidden stories of marginalized communities, amplifying their voices and refusing to shy away from confronting harsh realities.
Arundhati Roy isn't merely a responsible and articulate writer; she embodies courage and fearlessness, unafraid to call out injustice. "Azadi" emerges as a beacon of hope in an era besieged by false propaganda disseminated through paid media content. In a time rife with misinformation, Roy's impartial content becomes a rare and invaluable resource exposing fascism, violence, and hate deeply entrenched in India.
It is a fact that fascists harbor a deep disdain for intellectualism, a sentiment echoed throughout history from the Nazi era to recent attempts by Pakistan to subdue Bangladesh. Roy's assertion, "We have journeyed to a place from which it looks unlikely that we can return, at least not without some kind of serious rupture with the past - social, political, economic, and ideological," resonates profoundly. However, history also attests that Fascism ultimately meets its demise, much like Mussolini did.
This book offers a balanced perspective on India's people, particularly from the viewpoint of Kashmiris enduring daily torment and anguish. It illuminates the plight of missing fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands, as well as the struggles of half-widows, solitary women, and vulnerable minorities. Roy's narrative exposes propaganda perpetuated by the right-wing and governmental supporters, confronting them with poignant words.
Roy adeptly employs a wealth of facts and evidence, crafting a robust foundation for her message. She explores the concept of freedom, challenging conventional definitions and interrogating its limitations in contemporary India. Roy's unwavering courage in speaking truth to power inspires readers to question prevailing narratives, challenge oppressive systems, and strive for a more just and equitable world.
I think Azadi isn't just a book; it's a rallying cry for freedom, justice, and solidarity in an increasingly fractured world. Arundhati Roy's fearless exploration and unwavering advocacy mark this work as a significant contribution to contemporary discourse, urging us to envision new possibilities for collective liberation.
In "Azadi," Arundhati Roy ventures deep into the core of contemporary India, navigating its intricate political, societal, and identity landscapes with characteristic insight and courage. Through a collection of essays and speeches, she challenges prevailing narratives and scrutinizes the notion of freedom in India. Roy's incisive analysis sheds light on multifaceted struggles for liberation, from battling corporate greed and environmental degradation to resisting state-sponsored violence and oppression.
What distinguishes "Azadi" is Roy's unwavering commitment to truth-telling. Fearlessly, she confronts uncomfortable realities and exposes the underlying structures of inequality and injustice pervading Indian society. With meticulous research and eloquent prose, Roy unveils the hidden stories of marginalized communities, amplifying their voices and refusing to shy away from confronting harsh realities.
Arundhati Roy isn't merely a responsible and articulate writer; she embodies courage and fearlessness, unafraid to call out injustice. "Azadi" emerges as a beacon of hope in an era besieged by false propaganda disseminated through paid media content. In a time rife with misinformation, Roy's impartial content becomes a rare and invaluable resource exposing fascism, violence, and hate deeply entrenched in India.
It is a fact that fascists harbor a deep disdain for intellectualism, a sentiment echoed throughout history from the Nazi era to recent attempts by Pakistan to subdue Bangladesh. Roy's assertion, "We have journeyed to a place from which it looks unlikely that we can return, at least not without some kind of serious rupture with the past - social, political, economic, and ideological," resonates profoundly. However, history also attests that Fascism ultimately meets its demise, much like Mussolini did.
This book offers a balanced perspective on India's people, particularly from the viewpoint of Kashmiris enduring daily torment and anguish. It illuminates the plight of missing fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands, as well as the struggles of half-widows, solitary women, and vulnerable minorities. Roy's narrative exposes propaganda perpetuated by the right-wing and governmental supporters, confronting them with poignant words.
Roy adeptly employs a wealth of facts and evidence, crafting a robust foundation for her message. She explores the concept of freedom, challenging conventional definitions and interrogating its limitations in contemporary India. Roy's unwavering courage in speaking truth to power inspires readers to question prevailing narratives, challenge oppressive systems, and strive for a more just and equitable world.
I think Azadi isn't just a book; it's a rallying cry for freedom, justice, and solidarity in an increasingly fractured world. Arundhati Roy's fearless exploration and unwavering advocacy mark this work as a significant contribution to contemporary discourse, urging us to envision new possibilities for collective liberation.
jena_t's review
challenging
slow-paced
3.0
I am a fan of Roy's fictional work and also her public persona, but some of these essays and speeches felt very one sided. I am sure that the feelings she has are valid and are mirrored by huge swathes of people who live in dire circumstances, but the book left me thinking that I needed to do more research myself and that I only had half a story.
I also didn't enjoy the many excerpts of her fictional works being thrown in, it was a little too much and not why I wanted to read this book.
I also didn't enjoy the many excerpts of her fictional works being thrown in, it was a little too much and not why I wanted to read this book.
aakash001's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
rustedpages's review
4.0
Lately I’ve been thinking of widening the scope of my reading by trying more nonfiction. ‘Azadi’ by Arundhathi Roy I think was a perfect place to begin. It is a compilation of her essays written between 2018 and 2020, covering topics like language, literature, Hindu nationalism, Kashmir, the caste system and the pandemic. A hero to many and likewise, controversial to many, Arundhathi Roy continues to make it onto India’s anti-nationalist list for choosing to stand up for Kashmir. This series of essays is a wonderful reminder of the importance of art and fiction in tumultuous times, and a warning to a country always teetering on the edge of self destruction. It’s written gorgeously, and being factual and to-the-point (as nonfiction must be) renders no hindrance to Roy’s passionate own voice.
One thing I will point out is that there is quite a bit of repetition, which I guess was inevitable since the essays were written in a similar time frame and the topics discussed overlap.
One thing I will point out is that there is quite a bit of repetition, which I guess was inevitable since the essays were written in a similar time frame and the topics discussed overlap.
nickoftheparty's review
4.0
While I probably would've gotten even more out of it had I read Arundhati Roy's other works, this book of essays taught me a lot about the insanely complex system of class, caste, religion, and more in India, leading to the rise of fascism there, too. So much beauty, pain, and, if you squint, a little bit of hope.