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A review by diogenix
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The cover leads you to think this is a fairly light-hearted children's mystery. It isn't. That, really, is my only grouse.
The narrative, told by an innocent 9-year-old, is written excellently, with no foreshadowing of the dark themes it eventually confronts. It is based on real incidents.
Evocative of Kazuo Ishiguro's poignant exploration of society and the humans that inhabit it, Djinn Patrol too begins by painting a relatively carefree picture of slum-life. The darker, uglier side of it starts leaking out soon enough, as the story becomes more and more sinister.
Deepa Anappara is a journalist and her depiction of the sections of society she comments on is incisive. The slums, hi-fi gentry, muslims vs the Hindutva brigade, the police, godmen, small-time goondas, thugs, and the flotsam & jetsam who live on the fringes of our big cities, all seen through the eyes of a child, come alives in these pages. It is written with warmth and empathy, loved her original turn of phrase.
All told, a thought-provoking, moving read which i would recommend to every Indian. It forces you to reflect on the price we are paying for our choices.
The narrative, told by an innocent 9-year-old, is written excellently, with no foreshadowing of the dark themes it eventually confronts. It is based on real incidents.
Evocative of Kazuo Ishiguro's poignant exploration of society and the humans that inhabit it, Djinn Patrol too begins by painting a relatively carefree picture of slum-life. The darker, uglier side of it starts leaking out soon enough, as the story becomes more and more sinister.
Deepa Anappara is a journalist and her depiction of the sections of society she comments on is incisive. The slums, hi-fi gentry, muslims vs the Hindutva brigade, the police, godmen, small-time goondas, thugs, and the flotsam & jetsam who live on the fringes of our big cities, all seen through the eyes of a child, come alives in these pages. It is written with warmth and empathy, loved her original turn of phrase.
All told, a thought-provoking, moving read which i would recommend to every Indian. It forces you to reflect on the price we are paying for our choices.