THE ANGUISH OF SEPARATION BY GOBIND MALHI (TRANSLATED FROM THE SINDHI BY SINDHISHAAN)

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BOOK NAME: THE ANGUISH OF SEPARATION

AUTHOR NAME: GOBIND MALHI (TRANSLATED FROM THE SINDHI BY SINDHISHAAN)

GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION 

PUBLISHER: SHOBHA CHANDNANI





BOOK REVIEW

This book marked many firsts for me. For instance, it was my first Sindhi-translated book and my first audiobook as well, which I surprisingly loved. The Anguish of Separation is a story of love, desire, faith, heartbreak, and longing set in pre-independent India, written and translated with a nuance that will leave the readers wanting more. 


The story begins with Kundan stealing from his own house on Saanwal’s instructions, to return Ebrahim what is rightfully his. Kundan and Saanwal are cousins, yet Kundan has been advised to keep his distance from Saanwal due to his nonchalant behaviour. Saanwal is a free spirit, a vagabond, a non-believer who doesn’t abide by the rules. But he isn’t the one making unfair rules either.


Things turn complicated when he falls in love with Haajira, Ebrahim’s cousin, who promises to wait for him no matter what. But just then, the rivalries between Hindus and Muslims begin to sprout, threatening to break their relationship. When everyone else is forced to leave the town, Saanwal chooses to stay behind as he is connected to his land in more ways than one. 


This book took me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting a classic story from Sindhi literature. It is profound, precise and heartbreaking. Yes, there are traces in the book that mirror the fact that it was written almost 75 years ago. Yet, some characters and stories challenge that very notion, making the narrative feel ingrained with modern thoughts and acceptance, even if it’s dated way back in time. This is a blend of love, heartbreak, social commentary, and historical fiction, challenging patriarchal norms and political agendas favouring the affluent over others. 


Definitely recommended. The audiobook is available for free on the author’s website.


This is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z26 challenge.

#penbooksandscalpel

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