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

-

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

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

CHAPTER 2 - THE BACKSTORY - ALIZA

-
Image
  Aliza is the middle child of her family, with two older siblings and two younger ones. She did not always get her parents' attention because the oldest or the youngest sibling often stole it. She was mostly brought up by her oldest sister, Razia, who made sure she bathed, ate, and went to school on time. After Razia's marriage, her next older sibling Fahim brought home his wife, who had sworn to taunt Aliza all her life. Her younger twin siblings Samir and Ameera were at school, and they often stayed outdoors playing. So Aliza grew up to be the one taking care of her siblings while also managing to thrive herself. After finishing high school, she wanted to join college because her friends were also planning to, and they said studying in college will help a lot in the future. She was also the captain of her school's volleyball team and was a tough player. Aliza thought she could pursue her ambitions after school if she managed to convince her father. But her relatives had
Read more