MARGINLANDS - INDIAN LANDSCAPES ON THE BRINK BY ARATI KUMAR RAO

-

BOOK NAME:  MARGINLANDS

AUTHOR NAME: ARATI KUMAR RAO

GENRE: NONFICTION

PUBLISHER: PANMACMILLAN INDIA

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Marginlands-Indian-Landscapes-Arati-Kumar-Rao/dp/9395624434


BOOK COVER IMAGE




BOOK REVIEW

Imagine having to live in a pretentious world where we are constantly made to believe that we are the supreme creatures and that everything and every other living being around is for us to cherish. And suddenly, someone snaps you into reality, showing how we are actually destroying this land in the name of development and modernisation. This book is a hard-hitting portrayal of the man-made destruction of natural resources, some due to overuse and some simply because we could.  


The author not only quit her high-paying software job to become an environmental storyteller, but she also made sure to look into the crevices and ripples in the environment to point them out subtly and skillfully. From the ill effects of de-desertifying the 'wasteland' of the Thar desert to how the construction of dams closed the portal to the outside world for West Bengal, this book is an eye-opener in all ways. 


The essay on endangered dolphins, coral reefs, vultures and sea anemones made me ponder about them for long. The book doesn't accuse humans blindly. It also points out how humans also become victims of civilisation, like women becoming the 'tiger widows' when tigers prey on humans who go crab hunting in the mangrove forests of Sunderbans, exposure to toxins from having to clean the toxic sludge in the seas and the fear of losing houses to sea swallowing. 


The author has spent a lot of time with the locals of each landscape she has stayed in and has analysed it in its entire depth, which is evident in the book. She has spoken about the problems of human encroachment of forests and coastlines with wit and power. The author impressed me with her narrative style, captures, and illustrations, which were enlightening and heartbreaking. I realised how much uninformed I was about environmental challenges, even though I thought I knew enough. This is a book that everyone must read and put their thoughts into. 



MY REVIEW: 5/5

This is a part of Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHAPTER 1 - ALIZA AND AHMED

-
Image
Their eyes met for the second time in the day. Every time this happens, Aliza feels a ticklish sensation in her stomach. It's not that they have not been closer than just eye contact, but the jitters won't leave her alone. Her mother-in-law was busy scooping out the last few morsels of chicken from the bowl with a creaking noise that numbed Aliza's ears. Her father-in-law was lost in thoughts enjoying his chicken malai korma and tempered ghee rice.   ‘Aliza, can you get me some warm water?’ Aliza comes running with a jar of water to fulfil her new wife's duties, and Ahmed finds his moment just when Aliza is filling his tumbler and his parents are busy eating. He pokes her in the hip, which is faintly visible between her saree fold and her blouse. Aliza winces and moves behind quickly. She turns around to ensure no one has witnessed it and promptly returns to work, flashing a smile. Ahmed had to steal moments like these between daily activities because the house was alwa
Read more

CHAPTER 4 - DISTANCE MATTERS

-
Image
'Congratulations on your promotion and transfer. We are looking forward to your full commitment to us. Do get back to this letter at the earliest with your answer.' Read the crafted piece of paper. Ahmed's parents were delighted and jumping with joy. They were chanting 'Alhamdulillah' fervently while Aliza stood confused. She could not make anything of this news because Ahmed's promotion meant everything to her. But his transfer would only mean that Aliza must stay back with her in-laws while he would visit only during weekends. She would happily do so, too, if not for her unsupportive mother-in-law. Aliza wanted to cry, and her eyes brimmed with tears that the world looked like a smudged canvas laying still in front of her. She looked at Ahmed pleadingly and waited until 10 to ask him if he really wanted to go. Asking in front of her in-laws would only mean the end of her good days. Ahmed did not look up because he knew what his transfer meant for both of them.
Read more

MY FAVOURITE BLOGCHATTER MOMENTS FROM 2023

-
Image
Contrary to every other year, in 2023, the writer in me had a great time compared to the reader me—all thanks to the team of Blogchatter. If you are new to the world of blogging or have been living under a rock, Blogchatter is an open community for bloggers and readers, and they organise writing and reading challenges for its members. Blogchatter keeps motivating its writers and readers with badges and credit points that can be encashed. My journey with Blogchatter started in mid-2022, and it's been so great so far. I have had meaningful conversations with fellow readers, bloggers and writers. I was also introduced to unique content through this community. Though I try to write most days of the year, there are also times when I feel I can't write anymore because I can't think of anything. I would either just blank out or be overwhelmed with my personal life and a full-time job. During moments like these, Blogchatter comes up with a timely rescue by introducing challenges a
Read more