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A review by anusha_reads
Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree
5.0
Tomb of sand is an epic journey undertaken by an octogenarian, Amma. Although throughout the story there aren’t names for the main characters, Amma’s name is revealed almost at the end. The other characters are Beta(son), Beti (daughter), Bahu (daughter-in-law), Sid(grandson), and Serious/Overseas son(grandson)
It’s very easy to feel sorry for oneself and stay morose, but it’s tougher to spring up energised looking at life with a renewed perspective and objective.
Amma is depressed after the demise of her husband. She refuses to even talk or get up from bed. Amma springing up into action, changing her wardrobe and doing things as opposed to her etched-out lifestyle, alarms the people around her. The sweet friendship between Rosie, a hijra, and Amma was depicted very admirably. I liked the character Rosie very much as she was bubbly, well natured and took good care of Amma.
There are so many aspects of the book that I simply enjoyed. A whole new set of crow terminologies, the talking crows; their stories were funny and interesting; magical realism kind.
The author is omniscient and talks about a plethora of topics like pollution, climate change, war, classical music, famous painters, musicians, books, movies, and most importantly borders.
Daisy Rockwell has translated it so amazingly, keeping the essence of the Hindi idioms, phrases, and proverbs intact.
Geetanjali Shree has beautifully woven the tale of this octogenarian while talking about so many wonderfully imagined tales and narrating interesting classic anecdotes. The sentences are so deep, that one ponders after reading them trying to interpret the subtle undertone. As I haven’t read the Hindi version, I was mentally trying to fit in the Hindi idioms and phrases that I remembered which would mean the same.
I loved the way she has played with words: e.g., “EACH TIME THEY TIE ANOTHER KNOT. ONE MORE KNOT. A NO, NOT. A KNOW KNOT. A KNEW KNOT. A NEW KNOT. A NEW DESIRE. NEW. NYOO”
There are many parts of the book that I enjoyed a lot, for instance there is a story with a bird that signifies how customs are born. Beautiful paragraphs on what and why we have borders? Another part that I just loved was about why we mustn’t have certain fixed notions about how an old lady should be.
Every word in the book is worth mulling over and one needs to read it grasping every nuance and subtle playfulness.
The love for an old mother that the children have is shown so beautifully. It’s a typical Indian family where elders are given prime importance.
I would like to read the Hindi version of the book; I was disappointed when the bookstore told me that they had run out of copies!!
This is a slow-paced book with plot twists that requires time and attention but is MUST-READ.
It’s very easy to feel sorry for oneself and stay morose, but it’s tougher to spring up energised looking at life with a renewed perspective and objective.
Amma is depressed after the demise of her husband. She refuses to even talk or get up from bed. Amma springing up into action, changing her wardrobe and doing things as opposed to her etched-out lifestyle, alarms the people around her. The sweet friendship between Rosie, a hijra, and Amma was depicted very admirably. I liked the character Rosie very much as she was bubbly, well natured and took good care of Amma.
There are so many aspects of the book that I simply enjoyed. A whole new set of crow terminologies, the talking crows; their stories were funny and interesting; magical realism kind.
The author is omniscient and talks about a plethora of topics like pollution, climate change, war, classical music, famous painters, musicians, books, movies, and most importantly borders.
Daisy Rockwell has translated it so amazingly, keeping the essence of the Hindi idioms, phrases, and proverbs intact.
Geetanjali Shree has beautifully woven the tale of this octogenarian while talking about so many wonderfully imagined tales and narrating interesting classic anecdotes. The sentences are so deep, that one ponders after reading them trying to interpret the subtle undertone. As I haven’t read the Hindi version, I was mentally trying to fit in the Hindi idioms and phrases that I remembered which would mean the same.
I loved the way she has played with words: e.g., “EACH TIME THEY TIE ANOTHER KNOT. ONE MORE KNOT. A NO, NOT. A KNOW KNOT. A KNEW KNOT. A NEW KNOT. A NEW DESIRE. NEW. NYOO”
There are many parts of the book that I enjoyed a lot, for instance there is a story with a bird that signifies how customs are born. Beautiful paragraphs on what and why we have borders? Another part that I just loved was about why we mustn’t have certain fixed notions about how an old lady should be.
Every word in the book is worth mulling over and one needs to read it grasping every nuance and subtle playfulness.
The love for an old mother that the children have is shown so beautifully. It’s a typical Indian family where elders are given prime importance.
I would like to read the Hindi version of the book; I was disappointed when the bookstore told me that they had run out of copies!!
This is a slow-paced book with plot twists that requires time and attention but is MUST-READ.