DO NOT ASK THE RIVER HER NAME BY SHEELA TOMY (TRANSLATED FROM THE MALAYALAM BY MINISTHY. S)

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BOOK NAME: DO NOT ASK THE RIVER HER NAME

AUTHOR NAME: SHEELA TOMY (TRANSLATED FROM THE MALAYALAM BY MINISTHY. S)

GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION

PUBLISHER: HARPERCOLLINS INDIA  

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Not-Ask-River-Name-award-winning/dp/9362139901



BOOK COVER IMAGE



BOOK REVIEW

Have you heard that all is well that ends well? I must say, it's true with this book. Not that the book has a happy ending, but the way the story progresses makes you think that something is amiss but it surprises you and makes you want to read more of it - it's that kind of ending.


The story intertwines the lives of Sahal, Asher and Ruth through misfortunes, pain and endurance. Sahal is a young Palestinian scholar and rebel who runs a social media forum called 'Warrior of Light'. He keeps publishing the atrocities of the Israeli army against the Palestinian civilians on his page and is now being hunted down by the army. Asher, his Jewish friend, is his protector and keeper who fights any form of evil irrespective of religion and nation. But now Asher hasn't seen Sahal in days and is worried about his safety. He needs to track down his beloved friend to help him move to Jordan and start his life afresh. 


Ruth, a middle-aged Indian nurse working in Israel at Asher's residence, learns about their lives and does everything possible to help them. Because Ruth had already suffered enough in her younger days and would have appreciated the help herself. Not once, but twice, she was kidnapped on her quest for a job in the Middle East, which she had escaped with the help of a few well-wishers. Now it's her turn to help those in need in an unknown land. But who will survive the torment and escape is a complex equation to solve.


The book is so honest and elaborate on its take on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and I liked how it was told from an outsider pov. The translation was rigid and quite hard to decipher for most parts, but as I said, it all gets easier towards the second part. Though interesting and intense, Ruth's story felt like a female version of goat life. I was much more invested in Sahal and Asher's story than Ruth's. I would have loved more of their stories than hers, as it felt like a separate track away from the central theme. 


There were a lot of religious attributions from the holy books that could have been toned down. But apart from that, I was very much into the story and couldn't put it down until I reached the end. The ending shattered me beyond despair, though I expected it from the beginning. Asher and Sahal will now always remain my greatest literary best friends ever, and everyone must try this book to understand relationships and friendships that transcend man-made boundaries.


MY REVIEW: 4/5

This is a part of #Blogchatterhalfmarathon and #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel

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