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95 reviews for:
Remnants of a Separation: A History of the Partition through Material Memory
Aanchal Malhotra
4.51 AVERAGE
95 reviews for:
Remnants of a Separation: A History of the Partition through Material Memory
Aanchal Malhotra
4.51 AVERAGE
the subject matter and concept of this book is great but I really didn't like the writing style unfortunately I wish it was a bit more matter of fact and less dramatic and embellished.
I cried so many times while reading this. Aanchal Malhotra is an excellent writer and interviewer, and does a great job extracting delicate histories from people who have seen and tried to forget the horrors of Partition. Each of the 21 chapters of this book focus on a different item that traveled across the border and its accompanying owner's story. Malhotra interviews a diverse range of people, with a diverse range of opinions on what the Partition meant to them then and now. I like that the book doesn’t make judgments on whether it was good or bad, worth it or not, and focuses on its human costs instead. I grew up learning that the Partition was bloody and tragic, but ultimately justified and needed and it was interesting to read about some of the interviewees' opinions that carried a kind of “for what?” attitude about it. A lot of the history I read later in my life for my thesis thematically focused on the big personalities guiding Independence and Partition, Gandhi, Jinnah, Nehru, and calculations the subcontinents elites made to hold the peace and secure the end of the Raj, but not so much on what people generally felt. I was really surprised by how some people didn’t experience any of the communal rioting and violence that is so talked about as the reason for Partition until the Partition, which is… dark. Anyway, I’ll never be able to draw any conclusions about it because I wasn’t there, but this was one of the best books I’ve read this year and it’s always good to know more about my history and muhajir roots.
A really good book to start your research on the Partition. As someone that knew very little about this part in history, I thought this book was a really good base for continuing research.
The introduction gives the perfect amount of insight on the Partition and the political atmosphere of the time, and offers lots of footnotes to continue research beyond the pages of this book.
Moving into the stories of the people that lived through the Partition, told through physical objects was a really moving part to focus on. The connection each person had with their objects, and the stories that came with them really had me all up in my feelings.
It was also perfectly paced throughout, I felt like each story was given enough time to fully explore their history whilst also not dragging on for an unnecessary point it time. <—- I find it so difficult to find nonfiction books with good pacing, so that was definitely a win for this one
The introduction gives the perfect amount of insight on the Partition and the political atmosphere of the time, and offers lots of footnotes to continue research beyond the pages of this book.
Moving into the stories of the people that lived through the Partition, told through physical objects was a really moving part to focus on. The connection each person had with their objects, and the stories that came with them really had me all up in my feelings.
It was also perfectly paced throughout, I felt like each story was given enough time to fully explore their history whilst also not dragging on for an unnecessary point it time. <—- I find it so difficult to find nonfiction books with good pacing, so that was definitely a win for this one
emotional
informative
sad
tense
I read the ‘book of everlasting things’ first. That was a 5 star read for me. So probably this was underwhelming after that? Else, it’s a good enough read
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Remnants of a Separation is a first of its kind book on India’s history. The book is a series of narratives by a generation which has seen probably the best and worst this country had to offer – the Independence, and the Partition. What makes the book different from others on the same topic is the method. Instead of simply relying on documents, or history books, the author has delved into another dimension of the whole matter – the people and their objects. She has skillfully brought out an aspect of partition that has been lost among the crude facts and recital of the days leading up to and after the partition as a milestone to be taught, instead of one to be felt, understood, and passed on to the next generations.
The thing that stands out most for me in the book is that even though the objects under considerations are different, the memories associated with them are diverse, and the stories they behold are stretched as far as the land between Sindh and Mymensingh, the emotions they are based on and the emotions they evoke, are almost always the same. Every single person who has been part of the book says that they never expected the partition to actually happen. For them it was just a rumor for how can people who had always lived together suddenly be separated based on religion. And how can the same people leave their homeland simply because their religion did not match the one officially proclaimed by the government.
I believe that good books like this one leave a mark on you, but if good books are read at the right time in your life, they become a part of you. “The feeling of loss can often catch you off guard – arrive when you least expect it,” says Azra Haq, one of the interviewees in the book. This book, read at the right time, has settled itself into a part of my life. The beauty of this narration arises from the various people who have recounted their memories, often digging deep into the recesses of the past – to times they have consciously forgotten, for it was too difficult to remember and move on from what happened. But the author has brought them out, with her curiosity, her respect and love, but most importantly her patience.
For our generation, the Partition is a phase in the history of the country, about which we read in books, then forget, only to re-surface when news of conflict between the two suffering nations arises. Through this book, the author has tried to look at the nuances of the of the historical event that changed the tide of the people of these nations. She has made it personal, it is not just a recall of mere facts anymore, but a portal to transfer us to those times, to give us that experience, and make us learn invaluable lessons. Remnants of a Separation is a gift to our generation, one that is not static, for it ignites within the reader the curiosity to understand that which was always known to us but never understood. It is gift to be essentially accepted, enhanced and passed on. Only then, will it achieve its true purpose.
The thing that stands out most for me in the book is that even though the objects under considerations are different, the memories associated with them are diverse, and the stories they behold are stretched as far as the land between Sindh and Mymensingh, the emotions they are based on and the emotions they evoke, are almost always the same. Every single person who has been part of the book says that they never expected the partition to actually happen. For them it was just a rumor for how can people who had always lived together suddenly be separated based on religion. And how can the same people leave their homeland simply because their religion did not match the one officially proclaimed by the government.
I believe that good books like this one leave a mark on you, but if good books are read at the right time in your life, they become a part of you. “The feeling of loss can often catch you off guard – arrive when you least expect it,” says Azra Haq, one of the interviewees in the book. This book, read at the right time, has settled itself into a part of my life. The beauty of this narration arises from the various people who have recounted their memories, often digging deep into the recesses of the past – to times they have consciously forgotten, for it was too difficult to remember and move on from what happened. But the author has brought them out, with her curiosity, her respect and love, but most importantly her patience.
For our generation, the Partition is a phase in the history of the country, about which we read in books, then forget, only to re-surface when news of conflict between the two suffering nations arises. Through this book, the author has tried to look at the nuances of the of the historical event that changed the tide of the people of these nations. She has made it personal, it is not just a recall of mere facts anymore, but a portal to transfer us to those times, to give us that experience, and make us learn invaluable lessons. Remnants of a Separation is a gift to our generation, one that is not static, for it ignites within the reader the curiosity to understand that which was always known to us but never understood. It is gift to be essentially accepted, enhanced and passed on. Only then, will it achieve its true purpose.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
“It is about the extraordinary lives of completely ordinary people that constituted the fabric of Undivided India. It touches upon the everyday, upon education, travel and unshakeable interfaith relationships.”
The best book I had read in 2021. I didn’t expect that I’ll laugh, cry, and feel nostalgic at the same time. The book reminds me of the time I spent with my grandmother in my childhood. Her stories of partition still make me emotional.
“You extract an object from the past and deposit it where it doesn’t belong and decades later, it will tell a story. For better or for worse, I have become that storyteller.”
Thanks, Aanchal, for being the storyteller!
For bringing back the golden memories, I have had with my grandmother.
Partition of India is one of the darkest episodes of Indian history. No amount of writing can ever do justice to reflect on what people had actually gone through. And for that matter, our history books from school have failed miserably.
“There is a need to talk about what happened, as things have not yet settled. There is still so much we do not know and Partition is not yet an event from the past, for its consequences are still very much in operation.”
“Remnants of a Separation” has been a modest attempt in the noble cause. The book consists of twenty-one chapters. Each one has its own essence. Some will break your heart into pieces, while some will give you so much hope.
“A fistful of soil, mutti-bhar mitti. Till today, how many people, on both sides of the border, have been pining for just that?”
Read this beautiful book to relive the history. And, I'm eagerly waiting to read both her upcoming books!
You can read my other reviews on my BLOG
The best book I had read in 2021. I didn’t expect that I’ll laugh, cry, and feel nostalgic at the same time. The book reminds me of the time I spent with my grandmother in my childhood. Her stories of partition still make me emotional.
“You extract an object from the past and deposit it where it doesn’t belong and decades later, it will tell a story. For better or for worse, I have become that storyteller.”
Thanks, Aanchal, for being the storyteller!
For bringing back the golden memories, I have had with my grandmother.
Partition of India is one of the darkest episodes of Indian history. No amount of writing can ever do justice to reflect on what people had actually gone through. And for that matter, our history books from school have failed miserably.
“There is a need to talk about what happened, as things have not yet settled. There is still so much we do not know and Partition is not yet an event from the past, for its consequences are still very much in operation.”
“Remnants of a Separation” has been a modest attempt in the noble cause. The book consists of twenty-one chapters. Each one has its own essence. Some will break your heart into pieces, while some will give you so much hope.
“A fistful of soil, mutti-bhar mitti. Till today, how many people, on both sides of the border, have been pining for just that?”
Read this beautiful book to relive the history. And, I'm eagerly waiting to read both her upcoming books!
You can read my other reviews on my BLOG
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced