Independence: A Novel
Ratings7
Average rating4
15
Ratings7
Average rating4
Priya: intelligent and idealistic, resolved to follow in her father's footsteps and become a doctor, though society frowns on it.
Deepa: the beauty, determined to make a marriage that will bring her family joy and status.
Jamini: devout, sharp-eyed, and a talented quiltmaker, with deeper passions than she reveals.
Theirs is a home of love and safety, a refuge from the violent events taking shape in the nation. Then their father is killed during a riot, and even their neighbors turn against them, bringing the events of their country closer to home.
As Priya determinedly pursues her career goal, Deepa falls deeply in love with a Muslim, causing her to break with her family. And Jamini attempts to hold her family together, even as she secretly longs for her sister's fiancé.
When the partition of India is officially decided, a drastic--and dangerous--change is in the air. India is now for Hindus, Pakistan for Muslims. The sisters find themselves separated from one another, each on different paths. They fear for what will happen to not just themselves, but each other.
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”Can you cut up a country as though it were a cake?”
During the tumultuous background of India in 1947, three sisters, each caught up in their own private thoughts and drama, must put it all aside for the sake of family. Friend turns against friend and country turns against country, but the bonds of these three women remain strong. Intelligent Priya, determined to become a doctor like her father, yet still bound by a culture who frowns on it. Beautiful Deepa, following her heart to a marriage that was supposed to bring her and her family success. And pragmatic Jamini, the one always overlooked, who harbors jealousy and fierce love in equal measure. After great change happens within India and threatens the safety of their family and village, differences have to be set aside to protect family.
It took me a bit to get into this one, but I was pretty invested in the safety of the sisters by the end. The writing style was a little choppy in places, and during fast-paced events in the story the short sentences felt almost frantic in their pacing. As the book went on, though, it was easier for me to follow things, I guess because I had gotten used to it by that point.
So, a mostly compelling story during a period of history I don't know too much about. The writing style took some getting used to, but once I got settled, I mostly enjoyed reading the drama surrounding this family. I don't agree with some of the choices made by the family (Priya especially), but I can understand them in the larger context of family and personal goals.
I received a copy of this book free via Goodreads Giveaways.
