LIFE AND POLITICAL REALITY: TWO NOVELLAS BY SHAHIDUL ZAHIR (TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI BY V. RAMASWAMY AND SHAHROZA NAHRIN)

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BOOK NAME: LIFE AND POLITICAL REALITY: TWO NOVELLAS

AUTHOR NAME: SHAHIDUL ZAHIR (TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI BY V. RAMASWAMY AND SHAHROZA NAHRIN)


GENRE: LITERARY FICTION


PUBLISHER: HARPER PERENNIAL


NUMBER OF PAGES: 192


BOOK BUY LINK:

https://www.amazon.in/LIFE-POLITICAL-REALITY-Two-Novellas/dp/9354892302


TRIGGER WARNING: murder, rape, mutilation, war crimes

 

This book was my first ever one based on Bangladeshi literature. My love for translated fiction has only grown immensely after I finished this book. Books like these prove that translated works are the best to read diverse books. As the title suggests, the book consists of two novellas where political life is real life and vice versa.

 



BOOK SUMMARY: The first narrative,' Life and political reality, ' is based on Bangladesh's liberation war of 1971. The story goes back and forth in the timeline from 1971 to 1985 when the protagonist Abdul Mojid's sandal snaps one fine day when walking through the Nawabpur road. His hatred for Maulana Bodu and his son, Abul Khayer, is deep-rooted as the former was involved in the brutal killing of 14 Bangladeshis including his beloved sister, Momena. The mohalla knew that Moulana Bodu was a traitor joining hands with the Pakistani army, killing lives and serving mutilated parts to crows. But none could stand against him except rejoice silently when his son and dog died and his favourite dress touched by the Pakistani army's leader was burnt down. Abdul Mojid was also weighed down by the 21 secret letters from Mohammad Selim to Mayarani before he fell for the war. He finally needs to decide whether the letters should be handed over to Mayarani or not and also about his future in the mohalla in the wake of naming his newborn after his fallen sister, Momena.

 

The second novella,' Abu Ibrahim's death ' is based on the inner turmoil of a man fighting to be a good human yet failing at it miserably. This book is more about the reality of life where circumstances lead to ignorant decision-making. Abu Ibrahim could be anyone we face in our day to day our lives. He loves his children dearly and takes note of his wife's loving and needy nature every now and then, though he never misses an opportunity to call her fat and plump. When he meets his old school love, Helen, his heart flutters again. Though he doesn't know what he needs from her now, he also wants to be in love again. He falters once again when he meets his client, Khaled Jamil and accepts his bribery for work. Finally, all that was left for Abu Ibrahim was his downfall showing him the reality of life.




 

PROS:  This book was an eye-opener for me in terms of Bangladeshi literature, and I am looking to explore more of them.

The author has beautifully spun an interwoven tale of reality and war at the same time.

It was mind-blowing to read the nuances in his description and how he brought out the emotions of people in war to perfection.

The stories were heart-wrenching and witty at the same time, and the detailing was perfect.

All the characters in the book felt accurate and intriguing and left me asking for more.

 

CONS: Literally, none.

 

MY REVIEW: 5/5

 

#penbooksandscalpel 


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I am participating in Blogchatter's TBRchallenge

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