Book#3

I was provided a copy of this book by the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Frankly, I haven’t read any other works of Shilpi Somaya Gowda , before (my bad!). So I started researching about the writer and was in for a surprise that she has another book to her credit by name ‘ Secret Daughter’!

  ‘The Golden Son’  is a heart warming story filled with nostalgia and here is the book review which is going to be a bit longer than my usual reviews as I thoroughly loved and savoured reading it!

Cognizance

‘The Golden Son’s blurb gives a peek into what to expect from the book. This “Coming of  Age” story deals with the ordeals of an eldest son of a rich family-Anil and the only daughter of a farmer  couple-Leena. The disparity in their social conditions and status does not stop Anil and Leena,to forge a bond of friendship during their childhood. However, as they enter adolescence they drift apart due to various reasons. Anil who hails from a family of landlords, migrates to the US for higher studies in medicine and is in for a cultural shock both at the workplace and personal life. Still,he copes and adapts well as time goes, so much so, that he wants to settle in the US(like any other Indian emigrant).Back home, he has left his childhood friend-Leena and his own huge family consisting of his parents, three brothers and a sister. Once Anil moves to Texas , Leena gets married into a so called ‘good family’. How does Anil respond to Leena’s marriage? What is Leena’s  reaction? Well, you will have to read the book to know ‘What’ happens in the lives of all these characters post-Anil’s move to the US and the development of Anil as a balanced individual, which forms the crux of the story.

The characterization needs a special mention as the writer has made sure that every character-animate or inanimate  has its importance, purpose and a ‘say’ in the story. Every character supports and  helps the other characters around them to grow as an individual and develop their cognitive skills-be it the Mango tree, the potter’s wheel , the clay wares, the various wards in the hospital or the innocent kids. The characterization of Baldev helps in easing out the situations at many instances and reemphasizing that ‘Life is a Celebration’. Also, each of the female characters have a strong sense of assessment and take bold and altruistic decisions, irrespective of their economic and social background. Be it Leena, Sonal Mehta or Trinity. Every reader will be able to associate with these characters in some way or the other and I guess this is where the writer triumphs!

The writer has also brought out the contrast between rural and urban, developed and developing nations, modern and orthodox insights very beautifully through the two places of Panchanagar in India and Dallas in Texas, USA. The boons and banes of both joint families and nuclear families have been well put forth. Social evil like dowry has been stressed at large. The description of the well-equipped Parkview hospital of Dallas to the lack of medical facilities in and around Panchanagar, talks about the health care facilities and lack of competent health professionals in India. This contrast has been brought about in such a way that every emigrant from India will be forced to rethink his/her move to Developed nations. A sense of guilt/frustration is bound to engulf the reader (for good though!) However, Shilpi manages to find a balance between Western and Indian medicine by highlighting the medicinal value of Neem and Ayurveda through Piya and Sonal’s character!

Apart from this, the apprehensions of an immigrant in US, the psychological complexities one goes through, a loss of identity, a sense of dissatisfaction, frustration and isolation when faced with challenges and of course a sense of ‘Awe’ and long-lasting friendships one makes in a new land have been very well depicted metaphorically ,through the many pages of the book. For example the day Anil lands in Dallas, the writer echoes his appreciation through the following words: ’He was struck by the feeling of abundance that seemed to define America. The open Airport, sparse roads….everywhere there was more than necessary’. The frequent references ( or should I say ’reverences’) to the ‘Hot Chai’ is sure to make any reader nostalgic. I am glad that the writer has not compromised on the pages devoted to giving details of the medical procedures and arbitrations as they add authenticity to the story and helps it to move forward.(Remember the works of Robin Cook?!)

Shilpi brings out a balance between the genders,when she describes the hardships of Anil and Leena in settling in their own new homes.One tries to adjust in a new land,where as the other tries to adjust in a new family.The writer has very cleverly managed to keep the reader intrigued by giving twists to the story. Till the end, one is clueless about the girl Anil will eventually marry, whether Anil and Leena will come together and will Anil ever return back to India!

Overall, the novel’s synthesis of a realistic narrative, elaborative descriptions, psychological complexities and astute references to social customs and traditions is sure to strike a chord with the Indian diaspora across the globe. ’The Golden Son’ is a “Coming of Age” novel, in true (Indian) sense! Do savour this literary feast….Go for it..

I give this book a rating of 4 / 5

Title                   :         The Golden Son

Author              :         Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Publishers       :         Harper Collins Publishers,India

Total Pages     :          393

Format             :          PDF