The Village - Nikita Lalwani

Fiction

Verdict: Read it!

I haven't read anything by Nikita Lalwani before this, and I loved my introduction to her writing. The Village is about a film crew that comes from the UK (specifically from the BBC) to film a documentary for a series about an open door prison. All the convicts have murdered someone, but have the right to go out and work, so long as they return by evening. 

It's an interesting concept and Nikita Lalwani does a brilliant job of it. Her main character is a woman fighting for professional acceptance and respect, yet is the only one portrayed from the film crew with any humanity. They live in simple conditions with the prisoners. Even being Indian, she is never able to make a connection as people are suspicious of her. The main character makes connections with some of the people, only to have them spoiled later as the film crew manufactures or exploits situations in order to get more "feels" from the shoot. It is rather astonishing how far they can depersonalize the inmates to sell a film.

The main character leaves before the film is done as she can't live with the accusation that she never cared. The whole novel has a very surreal feeling. 

Read it.

~Becky~