The Bride in the Rainy Mountains - Kuvempu

Fiction

Verdict: If you're interested in Kannada literature and culture

This was another recommendation from my friendly sales person at Book Worm. I wasn't extremely enthusiastic at first because it was expensive and a very very large book. But I've started to take an interest lately into Kannadiga authors, and Kuvempu is a famous, award winning poet and author. So I conceded.

It's a historical novel about a vague place in Uttara Kannada (the northern part of Karnataka). A few different cultures, languages, and customs converge in this area. The author's language choices were fun and very much unique to that area, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed digging in to some of the cultural roots in Karnataka. It's not an area I've explored much. 

There's a a vague plot like and a few main characters. The side characters are many. It's mainly just life going by in a few villages and how they interconnect. Its not thrilling, but the author does an exemplary job of highlighting and describing how life is in such a situation in the time period it's set in.

It's definitely a long novel, and to be quite honest I got bored in a few places. Not many, but a few. The author does a good job of pacing and his descriptions keep you engaged. Definitely read it if you are intereted in Karanataka culture, village life and history. 

Read it!

~Becky~

Avasthe - U.R. Ananthamurthy

Fiction

Verdict: Difficult but worth reading

This is not the first book by Ananthamurthy that I've read. Being a very pro-Kannada writer person, the book shop assistant always suggests Kannada writers as well. 

Ananthamurthy opens the novel with an older man suffering from paralysis due to a stroke contemplating his life and how he reached his current state. He takes stock of his life through conversations, memories, and contemplation. A boy from very unprivaleged background makes something of himself. Not all of the phases of his life are clear. But he does make it very clear whom the influences on his life and they are an interesting cast of characters indeed. 

The main character marries for duty and suprisingly, Ananthamurthy makes a very clear point on how this is detrimental to his health after the stroke as he actually can't stand his wife. In fact it's the first time I've read an Indian author who isn't apologetic and stubbornly caught on the value of duty over happiness. Ananthamurthy also brings back a previous love interest late in the story and creates a connection even though the main character is older and has obvious health problems. 

He also takes on police brutality as a result of the main character's hot temper and association with a known anarchist. It's an interesting take. 

Ananthamurthy has done a masterful job of making his main character accessible. He's not perfect and has a wicked temper, but people can relate to him easily.   You can relate to his anger as a youth, and his longing for healthier times and his stock taking once he gets older. 

As with every variety of Indian writer, Kannada writers have their own flavor that sometimes takes a while to appreciate. But well worth it. 

Read it.

~Becky~

Left from the Nameless Shop - Adithi Rao

Fiction
Verdict: Read it

Left from the nameless shop is a novel that has short stories from a village woven together. Reminiscent of R.K. Narayan's Malgudi days, these stories are easy to read and make you feel nice. I've often said that authors from different places have their own particular flavor (Indians, Bengalis, Europeans, etc) and while every author has his or her own style, Adithi Rao definitely is reminiscent of the other Kannadiga writers I have had the pleasure of reading. 

While I didn't grow up in a small Indian village, I did grow up in a small town in the US. Some of the stories that the author included were very identifiable for me and reminded me of some of my own experiences growing up. Lacking the pathos of other Indian authors, you feel happy reading these and trust the author that even if things don't work out perfectly, the sky won't fall. 

The only complaint that I have for this book is that there are quite a few Kannada phrases included that aren't followed by translation. While I can guess through context what they mean, as a reluctant non Kannada speaker, this was frustrating for me as language adds depth to writing. Phrases can also be learned this way.

This is not a long or difficult novel to read and a great way to spend a weekend camped out on the couch in quarantine. 

Read it!

~Becky~