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vigneswara_prabhu 's review for:
Waiting for the Mahatma
by R.K. Narayan
Starting with the book, going from the title, this was not the type of story which I had been expecting. What came to mind was a sort of semiautobiographical novel, perhaps with a standalone for the writer, going through spiritual or ideological crisis, looking towards the symbolic shadow of the Mahatma, for guidance and purpose.
Come to think of it, that is a good premise for a book.
But what we instead got, is the retellings of national events towards the end of the Indian freedom struggle, till the assassination of Gandhi (spoiler), through the lens of everyday characters, at the ground level.
Which again would be a good premise for a story, and for the most part, it is a good story. Just, one can't seem to get behind our protagonist, and main POV character Shriram, who, for most of the book, comes across as a spoiled, entitled, shallow, sanctimonious, patronizing brat, whose loyalties and moralities shift swifter than a weathervane on a windy day.
Add to that, how all of his motivations stem from being infatuated with a girl, to impress whom he joins the volunteer corps of Gandhi lends him as inauthentic and sort of a charlatan. He is, to borrow a term of modern sensibilities, a simp.
Seeing as how he didn't have any genuine loyalties to Gandhi & the non-violent movement, it is no surprise that he becomes swayed and manipulated by other forces to undertake morally ill formed activities. Even towards the very end of the story, he is materialistic and hedonistic to a degree, caring only about shackling the object of his desire to himself.
It is laughable at how ignorant he comes across, in regard to the ever changing, volatile and era defining societal political movement around him, while only being embroiled in his own petty desires and fantasies. Quite painful to watch.
-------
What works?
Despite having reservations about the protagonist, what kept me reading until the end was of course the simple, yet effective writing that Mr. Narayan employs.
He is able to write conversations featuring characters of various backgrounds in easy to understand yet nuanced manner, keeping true to their rural aesthetic and mannerisms. Minor and supporting characters feel as if they are organic and engage in conversations without any jarring incongruities.
And as much as I rail on Shriram the main character, his mannerisms, behavior and inner thoughts, as shallow and materialistic as they be, are also portrayed quite well. His daftness and delusional mindset totally detached from reality, are infuriating and intriguing in the same level.
The story, as mentioned before, also serves as a parallel narrative to the large socio-political changes which were taking place during the era. As well as given some insights as to the ranging reactions that people of various strata of the populace had, in regard to the freedom movement.
It accurately portrays the apathy that large sections of the Indian society had towards this whole affair. Whether the rule changes from the British to Indians, they were only concerned about their day-to-day livelihood, putting food on the table, and the happenings of their narrow sphere of activity.
This level of political myopia and indifference is something which plagues considerable portions of India to this day; a sentiment that is capitalized and exploited by political ideologies stirring up popular sentiments on casteist and religious grounds.
In conclusion, waiting for the Mahatma is a story is worth a read, if only for Mr. Narayan's deft hands behind the printed word. What you may get out of it, would vary, from good to bad.
Come to think of it, that is a good premise for a book.
But what we instead got, is the retellings of national events towards the end of the Indian freedom struggle, till the assassination of Gandhi (spoiler), through the lens of everyday characters, at the ground level.
Which again would be a good premise for a story, and for the most part, it is a good story. Just, one can't seem to get behind our protagonist, and main POV character Shriram, who, for most of the book, comes across as a spoiled, entitled, shallow, sanctimonious, patronizing brat, whose loyalties and moralities shift swifter than a weathervane on a windy day.
Add to that, how all of his motivations stem from being infatuated with a girl, to impress whom he joins the volunteer corps of Gandhi lends him as inauthentic and sort of a charlatan. He is, to borrow a term of modern sensibilities, a simp.
Seeing as how he didn't have any genuine loyalties to Gandhi & the non-violent movement, it is no surprise that he becomes swayed and manipulated by other forces to undertake morally ill formed activities. Even towards the very end of the story, he is materialistic and hedonistic to a degree, caring only about shackling the object of his desire to himself.
It is laughable at how ignorant he comes across, in regard to the ever changing, volatile and era defining societal political movement around him, while only being embroiled in his own petty desires and fantasies. Quite painful to watch.
-------
What works?
Despite having reservations about the protagonist, what kept me reading until the end was of course the simple, yet effective writing that Mr. Narayan employs.
He is able to write conversations featuring characters of various backgrounds in easy to understand yet nuanced manner, keeping true to their rural aesthetic and mannerisms. Minor and supporting characters feel as if they are organic and engage in conversations without any jarring incongruities.
And as much as I rail on Shriram the main character, his mannerisms, behavior and inner thoughts, as shallow and materialistic as they be, are also portrayed quite well. His daftness and delusional mindset totally detached from reality, are infuriating and intriguing in the same level.
The story, as mentioned before, also serves as a parallel narrative to the large socio-political changes which were taking place during the era. As well as given some insights as to the ranging reactions that people of various strata of the populace had, in regard to the freedom movement.
It accurately portrays the apathy that large sections of the Indian society had towards this whole affair. Whether the rule changes from the British to Indians, they were only concerned about their day-to-day livelihood, putting food on the table, and the happenings of their narrow sphere of activity.
This level of political myopia and indifference is something which plagues considerable portions of India to this day; a sentiment that is capitalized and exploited by political ideologies stirring up popular sentiments on casteist and religious grounds.
In conclusion, waiting for the Mahatma is a story is worth a read, if only for Mr. Narayan's deft hands behind the printed word. What you may get out of it, would vary, from good to bad.