GHACHAR GHOCHAR BY VIVEK SHANBHAG (Translated from the Kannada by SRINATH PERUR)

-

BOOK NAME: GHACHAR GHOCHAR

AUTHOR NAME: VIVEK SHANBHAG (Translated from the KAANNADA by SRINATH PERUR)

GENRE: DOMESTIC FICTION

PUBLISHER: HARPERCOLLINS INDIA

BOOK BUY LINK: https://amzn.in/d/aTYqGZY


BOOK COVER IMAGE



BOOK REVIEW

This is a story of how a tight-knit family, which rose from rags to riches because of their collective efforts, becomes ghachar-ghochared (one must read the book to understand its meaning). A righteous father with his dry humour, a chikkapa (paternal uncle) with an aura of power surrounding him, an amoral son who will overlook everything for his family, a belligerent daughter, and a headstrong mother who would do anything to maintain balance are what make their family. A family that stays together against all odds, a secret that binds them together, and the comfort they enjoy in their safe space is threatened by something as inconspicuous as the mere infiltration of ants that suddenly show up. And how will they accept a menace larger than life, meaning to expose them, looming over their heads?


I did not believe this short book had the power to create such an impact on me, not even when I saw my reader tribe go gaga over it or even until I reached chapter six. The beginning was very innocent and docile, making it difficult to guess the plot. While I did like the writing very much, I didn’t really understand the theme or where it was going. But once it undid itself in the last two chapters, I realised the importance of the build-up that happened in the initial part. 


The story is very straightforward - just about a family who keep to themselves and never let anything or anyone disturb their equilibrium - but the writing is very intricate and profound. What stood out for me in the book was how effortlessly the comparison between the ants intruding on their home and the women threatening to break their family by exposing them happened. The author has excelled by making the readers understand their characterisation and dynamics by showing how easily they drift from a simple coffee table conversation to discussing committing an offence with ease. 


The open ending won me over because the author clearly left the ending for the readers’ imagination while also subtly conveying ‘his’ ending. Yes, the story isn’t much, but the way it’s written is brilliant and unique. The translation is also one of the best and flawless I have read so far, and with that ending, It's definitely one of my top reads this year. 



MY REVIEW: 4.5/5

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

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