Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree - book review by Ajay Singha, Raconteur Indica

The story line of this book is easy to sketch out but the story itself defies simplistic description. Tomb of Sand was awarded the international Booker, in addition to the many other accolades it received along with excellent reviews worldwide. As the story is based out of north India, perhaps the India-Pak setting provides all the situational props, possibly required by the author in order to 'show and not just tell' her story. What makes the Hindi to English translation by Daisy Rockwell of ‘Ret Samadhi’ to ‘Tomb of Sand’ truly enjoyable is the ease with which the author moves from the routine to the unexpected and on to the indefinable.

As the story commences, a staid family drama unfolds but soon the characters with some potential deflate while those with our least expectations bloom. The worldly confidence of the practical and influential ‘Bade’ and his wife start appearing commonplace after some time, especially as they prepare for retirement along with their aged and immobile ‘Ma’. Then the unexpected happens and ‘Ma’ like Rip van Winkle wakes up, moves in with her bohemian daughter ‘Beti’ and starts savoring every bit of her newfound life. As the tale unfolds, the life of the bohemian now starts appearing conventional in comparison to Ma’s antics. Ma intensifies her old friendship with Rosie, a transgender whose character escapes easy definition. As Ma’s life takes center stage, the action borders on the surreal and the story shifts into high octane overdrive. Locations and situations whirl around us, as do the observations around love, longing, relationships, nostalgia and other human emotions. The reader continues to dive deeper into the labyrinths of the author’s narrative as complex human sentiments are portrayed through the principal protagonist and other characters.

Summarizing the book or quoting some excerpts may not do justice to an outstanding effort by the author and the translator. In the last quarter of the book one does develop a feeling that the story should finally end and the whirlwind making us giddy must cease. As the story concludes one gets to appreciate the simple joys surrounding our lives and the complexities needlessly smothering individual existence. The author’s ability to wrap the mundane around the sublime, intertwining the experiential with the unreal may well lead some to identify this book with the genre of magical realism. Like a fine drink this one must be savored, sipped leisurely and not gulped down in a hurry.

Anti-Clock by VJ James-Review by Ajay Singha Raconteur Indica

In this somewhat allegorical work the author builds a story around fundamental life questions which has fascinated thinking minds from time immemorial. As individual characters play out their roles, the uncommon plot of this novel keeps the reader busy, chasing both the plot and what it helps unravel, namely the author’s views on death, life, fate and related issues surrounding the concept of time. The plot, I suspect is a mere ploy to hold together a series of very powerful views, as the author shares his deep understanding of complex questions plaguing our common appreciation of subjects mystifying humanity and our social existence.

From inside his coffin shop, Hendri the protagonist, a quintessential working class man watches the world go by as his tragic but eventful life unfolds. He develops an intense hatred for Loppo, the antagonist, a capitalist with an avowed disrespect for the law who among other acts also tries to defile Hendri’s most beloved wife. The guilt associated with seeking vengeance in place of piety and forgiveness weigh heavily on Hendri’s mind which is deeply influenced by the socio-religious mores he is born with. This novel is a great effort at trying to unravel lofty concepts while retaining the somewhat narrow and limited world view associated with the protagonist who belongs to and therefore represents a particular region and religion. He views and unravels his understanding of these lofty concepts surrounding our lives from this most interesting perspective. The story and the commentary around it may also sound familiar for the older generation of readers who often desire to travel back in time, reminisce and inadvertently relive the agony of past memories.

Hendri, the protagonist befriends his neighbor shop-owner Pandit, who explains his own concept of reversing time and develops the Anti-clock which promises to turn back time. This naturally fascinates Hendri but Loppo and later his daughter in law set their eyes on possessing the Anti-clock. Towards the finish the story takes some convoluted twists and turns and the concluding segments are a bit forced, making it a classic ‘Deus Ex-Machina’ ending.

The book has been excellently translated from the Malayalam by Ministhy S. who is an IAS officer from UP and had to read many reference books to complete this excellent work. Anti-clock received the Sahitya Academy award and was also short-listed for the JCB prize. The uncommon plot and the resultant worldview will keep the reader greatly entertained. The author VJ James commented that “Instead of plucking high sounding philosophies from thin air, showcasing such perspectives evolving naturally from a common man’s life was the toughest challenge while writing this book” No wonder this fast paced book has been a best seller in Malayalam and now in English. I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.