Godan

2.5 stars.
There is nothing much wrong with the book. I think the author executes what he wants to say. It just isn't what I expected out of it.
My Expectations: A peasant story where I sympathise with the characters.
You may be wondering, ‘Isn't it exactly what the book is about'. I would say ‘It is', but only in parts or at the beginning.
Prem Chand tries to tell the life of a typical Indian peasant in the 1930s while exploring caste, prestige, and their financial status along with interludes into the lives of some (zamindar, newspaper editor, mill owner, etc.) rich people.
I really liked the beginning of the book and felt easily connected to the characters. I also liked the choice that Premchand made to present the other side of the coin (the rich people's lives). But, 40% down the book, its more or less the same thing again and again. The poor try to take another loan out of necessity, and their interest keeps on piling up. I understand that such is the life of a farmer in India but when it keeps repeating same thing again I slowly lost my interest in the book. Coming to the lives of rich people, I was annoyed by the repetitive nature of the philosophy of Mr. Mehta. The other characters were decent or okay, but they are forgettable. The only thing I liked in the later half of the book is the character dynamics between Malti and Dr. Mehta. Another major issue I have with book is some random characters and scenes coming in the later half of the book which adds nothing to the story.
I believe that this book wanted to present the life of Indian farmer while also covering certain themes pertaining in the 1930s of India around the farmer. It is just that the story and the characters aren't coherent enough with the themes which the book what to tell. It felt like a mix of fiction and Non fiction at the end.