Book Review
An enigmatic story about women from three generations, their lives and escapades which are anything but ordinary. Tracing the journey of Sabitri, Bela and Tara from the outskirts of Kolkatta to the land of dreams- US of A the incidents, the people they meet and the experiences they have are unique, interesting and unforgettable.
The to and fro narration of the tale initially seemed erratic, till the reader soon falls into rhythm. The mysteries are woven in and unraveled as the reader is swept along. From clearly dark characters like Sanjay to the ladies exhibiting shades of grey, to the minor characters uplifting the plot is testimony to the dexterity of Banerjee.
The authentic details of Bengali dishes and sweets enhance the imagery resulting in a gastronomical delight. The sweet, bitter and sour tones of relationships waft through the pages as they engulf the reader peeping into the lives of the characters. The tics and traits attributed are realistic adding to the excitement. The tumultuous times loom dangerously in the background, adding tension.
The diction and vocabulary added to the changing setting as also to the development of the character. The technique of using a letter being written and rewritten to let the tale unfold has been cleverly used. Even the albums of photographs. Two things missing in today’s virtual world.
After going through her works like Palace of Illusions and The Last Queen, this was a different experience. But the queen of storytelling held my attention throughout. I would recommend it to all who enjoy stories about people and relationships.
