FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN BY ANITA DESAI

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BOOK NAME: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN 

AUTHOR NAME: ANITA DESAI

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION

PUBLISHER: PENGUIN INDIA

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.in/Fire-Mountain-Anita-Desai/dp/818400057X


What do you think about the current plight of older adults in today's world? Is the current younger generation treating its elders with respect, or are they taking them for granted? If you have not wondered about it earlier, you will after you read this book.




This Sahitya academy award winner has rightly broadcasted the lives of widowed and isolated women in India. Nanda Kaul is a widow living her sunset years secluded and content in Kasauli in a building named Carignano. Besides her house help, Ramlal, she doesn't entertain anybody on her premises. The news of her great-granddaughter, Raka's arrival in Kasauli threatens her peaceful and routine life. But she is bewildered that Raka, just like her, despises engaging with people and lives in her own world. Raka roams around the forest, searching for jackals and watching forest fires. 


Despite the change in her routine, Nanda Kaul finds herself drawn towards her great-grandchild, whom she had dreaded before. And things become more distorted when Ila Das, Nanda Kaul's old friend, announces her visit to her house. Their little get-together becomes heartbreaking when they revisit unwanted memories from their past. Not only her visit, but even when Ila Das leaves Kasauli, she departs with devastating news that will leave Nanda Kaul shattered for life.


Anita Desai's prose left me speechless and asking for more. Both Ila Das and Nanda Kaul's past lives and current times left me wounded and wondering about the plight of older adults in the country. The mystery in the narration revolving around Raka was the best part of the writing. Though the book looked unnecessarily lengthy at times, with descriptions that could have been gotten away with, the ending was utterly gut-wrenching. This book is an excellent read if you are willing to give it the time.


MY REVIEW: 4/5

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