India’s history has always fascinated me. Having grown up in Bangalore, I have heard friends, especially from Punjab, talk about the nostalgic way their grandparents recall the pre-partition times. I have wondered what life would be like if our neighbors were our family. What it would be like (as the author in her dedication says) if we were undivided.
So when I came across Lahore the first book in the Partition Trilogy on Blog Chatter, I signed up for a copy in exchange for a fair review. And I was not disappointed.
From the beginning, the story sets a lively pace. The stage is set for the political scenario during the time of India’s Independence and what that ‘freedom’ cost the common man. The book is fictional but has many important characters from India’s political history. It alternates between how the common man is affected on the streets by the partition and the dilemma & decisions faced in the political offices.
The unrest and unease of the common man are palpable. The first chapter itself sets the pace for the unrest & agitation that is brewing and how friends, co-workers & neighbors are affected / influenced by it. The book builds on this agitation and it culminates in the horror of the riots and the loss of loved ones that are seared in people’s minds. I can relate to this, as even to this day some of my friends’ grandparents speak of friends, family, and homes that they had to leave behind and flee to create new lives for themselves. The book also captures the political ‘miscalculation’ (if one can call it that) of the reality of the horrors of the partition compared to what it was assumed – that it would be only on paper, just a line drawn to separate 2 countries.
As in life, in the book too, women bear the most brunt of the havoc brought on by the partition – physically, mentally, and emotionally. But there are strong women too in the story, who are quiet anchors of strength. They are not relegated to just the kitchens and bedrooms as many wrongly believe of women of those times.
The author, Manreet Sodhi Someshwar, has brilliantly captured the mood that would have been prevalent at that time. While the book is fiction, her storytelling speaks volumes of the research put in to ensure a proper representation of what is a very important time for India – her birth and freedom and division. I am now looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy. I have not read any of the other books by the author. But going by how much I enjoyed Lahore, I am starting The Radiance Of A Thousand Suns soon.
While we were divided into 2 nations some 74 years ago, this partition still strongly influences many things – our political and religious beliefs, our perception of people, and so on. There are important lessons to be learnt from the partition, but which we may have sadly failed to do so till date. We continue to tear apart our country and community in the name of politics, religion, and region. Here is hoping that there soon comes a time when lives and actual people matter more than ideologies.
If you, like me, like historical fiction and are curious about India’s history, you will surely enjoy this book. I especially loved the cover – the colors are of a beautiful city burning in the dusk. Check out the details below on how you can buy the same.
Title : Lahore – I of The Partition Trilogy
Author : Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
Category : Historial Fiction
Language : English
No. Of Pages : 313
Available On : Amazon.in Kindle Edition & Paper Back
Rating By The Scarlett Dragonfly : 4.8 / 5
This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with RRE Studios and ShowCase Events.
A beautiful review with a very awesome font used on blog!! Reading it was a complete another level experience and loved to see lot of things here.
Thanks for sharing
Oops! I am reading the book currently and was keeping my fingers crossed for no spoilers in your post. Thank god for that. As you said, the book has piqued my interest too right from the first page.
have heard a lot about this book. your review seems very interesting. would love to have a read
Very well written review Vasu. The story is based on one of the worst things that has happened to us and like you said, we are still more bothered about ideologies than people. I wish it would be the other way round.
much as I disliked history in school I realized that reading it at my own will is something i really love. That’s one reason y Dominique Lapierre is my fav author😊
I will borrow this book from you ok.
I enjoyed reading your review. You have summarized the book really well. My daughter is after me to read it. It will be personal since my family was displaced during the partition.
4.8 rating is awesome. I can relate to this book. My parents were refugees from Pakistan and my nanaji was stabbed while coming to the railway station. The partition was a holocaust but never considered like that.
I have read Lahore too and completely agree with your review. Looking forward to the other books in this series.
History, partition and book all the three keywords alongside your brilliant review of the 1st part of the trilogy makes me want to grab and indulge in it ASAP.
As a fan of books set during the partition, this seems like an apt read. Your way of detailing it also makes me eager to check it out.
Books like Lahore, even if fictional, are a way for us to understand the situation of that time. This must be a hard but good read. Good review!
Partition stories usually portrayed in movied to that of a book never thought could cover up all the drama and emotions that well
I too love and always curious to know about Indian history. I think this book will throw light on many issues which we might not even know or even if we know we got to know others perspective. Will grab my copy for sure.
I am happy to know that people are now more interested in our history. I have heard first hand stories of how they have treated our people during partition and even today how they treat our people. I like the fact that people are now reading more historical books than they did earlier.
You are absolutely right. It was indeed a political miscalculation. Each family affected by the partition has a heartwrenching story to tell. We are finally hearing them but losing the ones who lived it.
I have read the part 1 of this trilogy and it was superb. The way Manreet Sodhi writes is amazing. Your review is equally amazing.
Indeed a great book review with its learnings before partition and how the country though is of diverse cultures but is still apart due to political and regional beliefs. Nice book recommended
Another good suggestion by you. I really like your reviews. I’ll add this to my TBR.
I have read quite a few books in Bengali about partition in Bengal. And have heard a lot from my father and grandmother. I have to read this book.
Historic fiction is not my genre however your review seems promising thanks for sharing
I liked this book! Loved the review
This book sounds very interesting. Historic fiction especially stories related to partition always interest me. I will check this book.
I’ve had this book on my list for a while now. This looks like an indication that I need to start moving through my book list a little quicker, haha