Rage
Rage is a new novel by Balaji Venkateshwaran, published by Penguin. My parents read it last month and sent it over with someone who was travelling from India.
I approached this novel with some reluctance despite my parents saying good things about it -- my father more so than my mother. This was mainly because it was set in Tamil Nadu and I know very little about that part of the country. For example, I like R.K. Narayan, but not as much as everybody else seems to around me. I also tried reading Davidar's The House of Blue Mangoes, but it didn't keep me interested.
But to my surprise overall I liked it. I think it is loosely based on Jayalalitha, but I can't tell to what extent that's the case. Or I may be completely wrong about making that connection. I won't summarize the story here because it's quite complex and there are several narratives in the book. There's also a lot of politics in it. But there's also a commentary on society, class and development in there. About the struggle between the rich and the poor. This is nicely illustrated by the conflict between Lakshmi, the main character in the book, and this scheduled caste type character, who's the father of her illegitimate child.
There is a lot of local description, some of it that I frankly thought I was missing the keys to understanding, like a Tamilian might reading Premchand in translation, but I did get a lot of it. There's also a lot of drama in it, but in some places a bit too much. The writing is very competent, and in some places quite powerful and evocative. But there are also some places where it is a little overdone, and I wish the author had rewritten them.
But this book is also dark and intense, not the kind of book you read lightly. There is a sense of dark foreboding that pervades the book, and it doesn't let up. By the end it diminishes the reader's sense that all is well with the world. This is not a book one would fall in love with. Nor is it a book you should read to get yourself out of depression. But it's also a book that makes you think about a lot of things in the world. I guess the subject matter and the dirt of politics demands that kind of writing.
I did a search on the author on the web. There's very little on him and not much in the newspapers and magazines. But I did come across his website.
I approached this novel with some reluctance despite my parents saying good things about it -- my father more so than my mother. This was mainly because it was set in Tamil Nadu and I know very little about that part of the country. For example, I like R.K. Narayan, but not as much as everybody else seems to around me. I also tried reading Davidar's The House of Blue Mangoes, but it didn't keep me interested.
But to my surprise overall I liked it. I think it is loosely based on Jayalalitha, but I can't tell to what extent that's the case. Or I may be completely wrong about making that connection. I won't summarize the story here because it's quite complex and there are several narratives in the book. There's also a lot of politics in it. But there's also a commentary on society, class and development in there. About the struggle between the rich and the poor. This is nicely illustrated by the conflict between Lakshmi, the main character in the book, and this scheduled caste type character, who's the father of her illegitimate child.
There is a lot of local description, some of it that I frankly thought I was missing the keys to understanding, like a Tamilian might reading Premchand in translation, but I did get a lot of it. There's also a lot of drama in it, but in some places a bit too much. The writing is very competent, and in some places quite powerful and evocative. But there are also some places where it is a little overdone, and I wish the author had rewritten them.
But this book is also dark and intense, not the kind of book you read lightly. There is a sense of dark foreboding that pervades the book, and it doesn't let up. By the end it diminishes the reader's sense that all is well with the world. This is not a book one would fall in love with. Nor is it a book you should read to get yourself out of depression. But it's also a book that makes you think about a lot of things in the world. I guess the subject matter and the dirt of politics demands that kind of writing.
I did a search on the author on the web. There's very little on him and not much in the newspapers and magazines. But I did come across his website.
posted by Salman's Shirt at 7:23 PM
4 Comments:
Interesting take on the book. It didn't appear as dark to me as you imply. I read it soon after it came out and liked it a lot too. I read it as a severe indictment of our political system. It is very different from most of the books written in English these days. Very political, very personal and very local, yet very accessible. It should be read just for its being so different.
Ashok
I read about it in Deccan Herald recently. Tamil politics, hunh? Sounds interesting. Now I'll go buy the book.
Totally agree with Ashok. The first half is actually quite beautifully written. A very nuanced and sensitive portrayal of the characters. The second half is not as well executed, and a bit too preoccupied with politics, but still a good effort overall. Lots of details that I enjoyed a lot. Some events were predictable, but I liked the book for the complex issues it bring up and could therefore overlook some of its flaws.
I agree with both Ashok and roshogolla even if at first glance there might appear to be some difference of opinion.
It's a good effort and I look forward to more books from him.
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