FRUITS OF THE BARREN TREE (PHOOLANGE) by LEKNATH CHHETRI translated from the Nepali by ANURAG BASNET

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BOOK NAME: FRUITS OF THE BARREN TREE (PHOOLANGE)

AUTHOR NAME: LEKHNATH CHHETRI (translated from the Nepali by ANURAG BASNET)

GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION

PUBLISHER: PENGUIN INDIA  

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.in/Fruits-Barren-Tree-Lekhnath-Chhetri/dp/0670097411


This is my second book based on the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling after 'Song of the Soil', and Phoolange literally translates to 'those who scatter flowers', indicating the peaceful nature of the movement. But according to the author, it also means 'flowers from a tree that don't transform into anything and get wasted away', indicating the result of the Gorkhaland movement.




Set in the 1980s in the village of Relling in Darjeeling, this story focuses on the battle between the Green Party (the GNLF) and the red party (the communist party) in establishing a separate state of Gorkhaland. Contrary to the title, this battle doesn't seem peaceful and looks to have caused chaos and trouble.


The old couple Basnet and Aamai Basneti lead a simple life like other Relling villagers amidst the shambles. Their son, Jhuppay, was anything but a peacemaker. He is love-stricken with Nimma, his childhood friend who tries her best to straighten Jhuppay and turn him into an ideal man. Buying a mic set for starting his own business was the first nicest thing that Jhuppay ever did in his entire life. But he and his parents did not expect it to become a snowball of troubles for all.


Jhuppay was soon accused of using his mic set for anti-jaati activities by the Green Party leader, Chhyatar, who commanded that Jhuppay be beheaded for this crime. To save himself from this unjust and cruel punishment, Jhuppay does the unbelievable for the sake of his life. He and his relationship with Nimma changed forever, and that is what the movement did to everybody's lives in the state of Darjeeling. 


This book was so well written, and the characters were beautifully developed. The vivid description of Darjeeling and its surrounding was rich and astounding. The book served its purpose of narrating the lives of common people in the political battle in a simple and educative manner. Though I did not understand where the story was heading until I reached around 100 pages, the latter part was very well written and precise. I look forward to reading more Nepali literature in the future, and this book has laid a strong foundation for the same.



MY REVIEW: 4/5


I am participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel


Comments

  1. AmbicaJuly 12, 2023 at 12:29 AM

    I read Song of the Soil and it was really good. I would like to read this one now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RehanaSeptember 28, 2023 at 10:52 PM

      A good choice. I would rate this better than the song of soil.

      Delete

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