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Darshan
In 1911 rural India, Baba Singh Toor commits a shocking act of violence to avenge a crippling loss, setting a secret in motion that will haunt—and claim—the Toors for generations.
Hardened by a crime for which he was never caught, Baba’s past casts shadows over his sons, even as the era of British Colonial tyranny and oppression reaches its height. In the distant colony of 1940s Fiji, his son, Manmohan, a virtuoso of enterprise, bears the burden of his father’s sin, plagued by an all-consuming insecurity that suffocates his own children. And twenty-five years later in San Francisco, Darshan—inextricably linked to his grandfather, Baba Singh, by both birth and fate—finds himself dragged to the center of conflict. Held accountable for the Toors' dark history, he labors to honor his name—meaning one who is blessed with clarity of sight—attempting to keep the family from irreparably splintering apart. A novel in three parts, Darshan is a raw examination of the lifetimes required to reconcile one man's fatal mistake.
An ambitious, epic debut novel that finely balances historical elements of nations struggling under Colonial rule with the tragedy of men who refuse to release their sorrow, written in keenly descriptive, fluid, and penetrating prose.
"A multigenerational family epic in every sense of the term: nuanced, thoughtful, well-written, and deftly mixing history with fiction." —IndieReader
Hardened by a crime for which he was never caught, Baba’s past casts shadows over his sons, even as the era of British Colonial tyranny and oppression reaches its height. In the distant colony of 1940s Fiji, his son, Manmohan, a virtuoso of enterprise, bears the burden of his father’s sin, plagued by an all-consuming insecurity that suffocates his own children. And twenty-five years later in San Francisco, Darshan—inextricably linked to his grandfather, Baba Singh, by both birth and fate—finds himself dragged to the center of conflict. Held accountable for the Toors' dark history, he labors to honor his name—meaning one who is blessed with clarity of sight—attempting to keep the family from irreparably splintering apart. A novel in three parts, Darshan is a raw examination of the lifetimes required to reconcile one man's fatal mistake.
An ambitious, epic debut novel that finely balances historical elements of nations struggling under Colonial rule with the tragedy of men who refuse to release their sorrow, written in keenly descriptive, fluid, and penetrating prose.
"A multigenerational family epic in every sense of the term: nuanced, thoughtful, well-written, and deftly mixing history with fiction." —IndieReader
552 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
587 people want to read
About the author
Amrit Chima
2 books42 followersAmrit Chima is a former freelance travel writer with featured articles in
Global Traveler Magazine
and on
Untapped Cities.
Born into a family with a history of inspiring migratory adventures, she has followed suit, traveling to over thirty countries, most notably India and Fiji, both of which are settings in her debut novel Darshan (an IndieReader quality literary fiction selection). Her short fiction has appeared in
Solstice Literary Magazine
and
Litbreak
.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 29, 2013
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Although I've won just a few giveaways so far on Goodreads, I've received ARC books in the past from other sources. Giveaways/ARCs are hit or miss: I've gotten a few really good books, and more than a few not so good books. Fortunately, Darshan falls in the first category.
If you like multi-generational family sagas set in mostly exotic locales, then this is your book. Darshan is about the Toor family, who live in the Punjab, Northern India. Baba Singh is one of their several children, and as a 12 year old commits a horrible crime. This crime will impact not just his life, but the following generations as well. Each generation has to unknowingly shoulder the guilt and shame that comes from this crime.
I thought Darshan was very well written, and the characters well rounded. I loved these characters (even the not so nice ones). Each character was complex; and while the reader understands why they are acting as they are, the other characters often don't. The interpersonal relationships between the characters are quite interesting.
I liked the setting of the book, especially Fiji. It was easy to picture in my mind the villages and cities written about in the book, and the people living there.
If you like multi-generational family sagas set in mostly exotic locales, then this is your book. Darshan is about the Toor family, who live in the Punjab, Northern India. Baba Singh is one of their several children, and as a 12 year old commits a horrible crime. This crime will impact not just his life, but the following generations as well. Each generation has to unknowingly shoulder the guilt and shame that comes from this crime.
I thought Darshan was very well written, and the characters well rounded. I loved these characters (even the not so nice ones). Each character was complex; and while the reader understands why they are acting as they are, the other characters often don't. The interpersonal relationships between the characters are quite interesting.
I liked the setting of the book, especially Fiji. It was easy to picture in my mind the villages and cities written about in the book, and the people living there.
November 1, 2013
My highest compliment to an author is when I am able to say that I did not want his or her book to end. This is one of those times. Not at all ready to leave Darshan, I went back and reread the prologue that had so intrigued me and it brought everything full circle.
The fascinating minutiae of Indian culture is intricately woven into a sweeping narrative of three generations of the Toor family, following them from India to Fiji, then to San Francisco. From the art of wrapping a turban to the making of roti dough to the smell of dusty cattle - you are right there, almost seeing, smelling and touching what you are only reading.
So many hauntingly beautiful phrases are in this book, a man's mind aching with too much thought, an old man wrinkled like fingertips soaked in water, the value of books being the knowledge they contained to store in the mind. You will want to read this story slowly so as to savor every paragraph.
It was my good luck to win this book as a first-reads giveaway. It goes in the bookcase to be read again. Excellent work, thank you.
The fascinating minutiae of Indian culture is intricately woven into a sweeping narrative of three generations of the Toor family, following them from India to Fiji, then to San Francisco. From the art of wrapping a turban to the making of roti dough to the smell of dusty cattle - you are right there, almost seeing, smelling and touching what you are only reading.
So many hauntingly beautiful phrases are in this book, a man's mind aching with too much thought, an old man wrinkled like fingertips soaked in water, the value of books being the knowledge they contained to store in the mind. You will want to read this story slowly so as to savor every paragraph.
It was my good luck to win this book as a first-reads giveaway. It goes in the bookcase to be read again. Excellent work, thank you.
December 2, 2013
I just finished reading Darshan, and it was amazing! As a Sikh American I was able to relate to the characters, the culture, and the patriarchical family structure. The way that Chima describes everything about the Punjabi culture seemed very authentic to me. It was easy to understand Baba Singh's anger when his family was cheated out of their land, and Chima somehow found a way to make the reader empathize with the character even when he committed such a serious crime. The fact that he carries this guilt with him for the rest of his life makes him tolerable, even while he puts his family through so much strife.
Chima did a great job with all of the different story lines, and there were always things that were unexpected which kept things interesting. The way that things turned out with Mohan, Livleen, and Navpreet was very different then I would have thought, but it was all believable. And it showed a lot of understanding on Chima's part of how humans harbor emotions, how we hold certain beliefs about ourselves, and how we act out in anger against others when really we are hurting inside. Overall I enjoyed reading the book, I found myself thinking about the characters during random parts of my day, and I was eager to return back to the book and continue reading.
Chima did a great job with all of the different story lines, and there were always things that were unexpected which kept things interesting. The way that things turned out with Mohan, Livleen, and Navpreet was very different then I would have thought, but it was all believable. And it showed a lot of understanding on Chima's part of how humans harbor emotions, how we hold certain beliefs about ourselves, and how we act out in anger against others when really we are hurting inside. Overall I enjoyed reading the book, I found myself thinking about the characters during random parts of my day, and I was eager to return back to the book and continue reading.
December 11, 2013
My favorite part of this book was the ending, I didn't expect it and you'll have to read this book to find out what I personally couldn't imagine. I'm a California native who happens to be of Mexican-American descent. When reading books of other cultures, I tend to have a somewhat difficult time to read with fluency because of my need to fully understand their traditions and beliefs, and with Darshan, I didn't feel the desire to do any added research because the author was so detailed that I physically felt like I was in India and Fiji. I was moved by the story of Baba and my only critique is that the author left me with the desire to know more about Baba after he went back to where it all began. I wanted him to find peace or enlightenment but then I realized that for some, there just isn't a happy ending, not everything ends in resolution and that's what made this story even more profound. I found myself happy and weeping and disappointed and frustrated and relieved, Darshan is a story of life, and how one event can set a domino effect of self loathing that spans generations. I was able to relate to many of the desires of both Darshan, Manmohan, Mohan and even Sonya, their desperate desire to be noticed by a parental unit and always feeling like nothing you do is enough. The beginning of this story with the baby reaching out for his toolkit was so intense that I thought about it for days. This story is very nicely written and it's a reminder to all who have the pleasure to read it that life is fragile and beautiful, one life to live, and if you're lucky, you'll be back.
December 31, 2013
This seemed just like the sort of book I would like - following 3 generations of a family from India and their journey from Punjab to Fiji to San Francisco. I liked how the point of view shifted from father to son to grandson seamlessly and there were some interesting themes about family and obligation, but overall I just couldn't get into it. I found the plots often dreary and depressing and the characters were not particularly likeable.
Read
June 17, 2017I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you.
I made it to page 77. I didn't stop reading because the story line was bad. It wasn't. It was kinda interesting.
I stopped reading because the names of the people made it confusing and overwhelming.
October 18, 2013
“He sometimes takes a rag to [the motorcycle], trying to polish away the rust. He does not realize that rust changes the metal, that it cannot simply be wiped away.”
As a family saga, Amrit Chima’s first novel confronts us with a lot of questions: How many generations have to suffer for a sin committed by somebody who wasn’t even aware of his crime (was it his crime at all, or could we find another context to avoid condemning him)? If, as the writer claims, the rust cannot simply be wiped away, what could be done in order to restore a family? Furthermore, making wrong decisions—although readers cannot be sure if the decisions are wrong or actually necessary—Chima’s characters have to face not only a constantly changing world, but also several situations when their cultural norms, values, and customs have lost their significance. They then have to struggle to find a meaningful way to live in a strange and hostile new universe. Usually, when they feel they have found the right path, they lose something important at the same time: the continuity and communication among generations and disconnects form and relationships crumble.
While guiding the reader through the history of a Sikh family—and throughout Indian and Fijian history as well—Chima turns the Freudian thesis inside out, which says that you must be aware and conscious of all the buried secrets of your past in order to heal yourself and re-establish your relationships. The text has another hidden question inside: In spite of admitting and confronting the many skeletons in the cupboard (or in this case a chest)—the shameful events and facts in our individual and collective past—can we break the vicious cycle of dysfunction if we listen to both our inner selves and also pay attention to the people significant and meaningful to us in the present?
Chima’s novel is a masterpiece blending the tradition of family novels (Thomas Mann, García-Marquez, etc.) with just a hint of magic realism (Indian theories about reincarnation and the significance of dreams) and the philosophy of Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal return. It also admirably depicts the struggles for identities, which strive to preserve their ancient and family-related roots but must also be functional facing the challenges of the modern world in the US. I honestly recommend this book to anyone who seeks answers to the questions above, beginning with: Whose life do we actually live, and what should be done in order to live our own?
As a family saga, Amrit Chima’s first novel confronts us with a lot of questions: How many generations have to suffer for a sin committed by somebody who wasn’t even aware of his crime (was it his crime at all, or could we find another context to avoid condemning him)? If, as the writer claims, the rust cannot simply be wiped away, what could be done in order to restore a family? Furthermore, making wrong decisions—although readers cannot be sure if the decisions are wrong or actually necessary—Chima’s characters have to face not only a constantly changing world, but also several situations when their cultural norms, values, and customs have lost their significance. They then have to struggle to find a meaningful way to live in a strange and hostile new universe. Usually, when they feel they have found the right path, they lose something important at the same time: the continuity and communication among generations and disconnects form and relationships crumble.
While guiding the reader through the history of a Sikh family—and throughout Indian and Fijian history as well—Chima turns the Freudian thesis inside out, which says that you must be aware and conscious of all the buried secrets of your past in order to heal yourself and re-establish your relationships. The text has another hidden question inside: In spite of admitting and confronting the many skeletons in the cupboard (or in this case a chest)—the shameful events and facts in our individual and collective past—can we break the vicious cycle of dysfunction if we listen to both our inner selves and also pay attention to the people significant and meaningful to us in the present?
Chima’s novel is a masterpiece blending the tradition of family novels (Thomas Mann, García-Marquez, etc.) with just a hint of magic realism (Indian theories about reincarnation and the significance of dreams) and the philosophy of Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal return. It also admirably depicts the struggles for identities, which strive to preserve their ancient and family-related roots but must also be functional facing the challenges of the modern world in the US. I honestly recommend this book to anyone who seeks answers to the questions above, beginning with: Whose life do we actually live, and what should be done in order to live our own?
February 9, 2014
Darshan is a sweeping, beautifully written and constructed novel about one Sikh family (the Toors) from northern India across four generations from about 1915 on. It’s not easy to characterize this novel or neatly summarize the plot. The first third of the book is set in India. After the death of his father, Baba Singh is the central character. Then we turn to Fiji, another British colony, where Baba Sing’s son Manmohan is the central character. In the last segment of the novel, the focus is on Manmohan’s son Darshan, now in San Francisco. Each segment unfolds in jumps, several years pass between chapters and we see how individuals and relationships have changed.
In each section, the power of the lead male character is a key issue. Baba Singh carries guilt and is both a distant (literally) husband, and something of a tyrant with his sons. Manmohan is a successful entrepreneur in Fiji who expects his wife and children to serve him. Darshan does and ultimately recognizes “ the willing victim he had become.” And then he too expects much of his children.
Darshan’s transformation, for me, was the hardest to understand. All the characters are drawn carefully and their interactions with other family members explored with sensitivity. When
Darshan’s brothers and sisters turn on him after his years caring for everyone, well, Darshan changes too.
The author provides a family tree, and that helps as there are a lot of characters.
Woven through the book are details of village life in India, Sikh religious practices, and the entire process of acculturation. A fascinating combination.
Although it is not the focus, the context of the eroding British Empire figures in parts one and two. The brutality of British rule in India and to a less degree in Fiji, and the attempts to challenge it, figure but do not dominate the story. Still, since the collapse of colonialism is one of the important happenings of the twentieth century, the novel provides a way of seeing this that’s important.
Darshan is about the power of guilt ("the gift that keeps on giving.") in one man's life. And so much more. It's a story that spans several generations and provides a marvelous flowing encounter with Indian culture and the harshness of British colonial rule from about 1915 on. The principal character is, a Sikh who murders the money lender who ruined his family.
The writing is fine, an eloquent and touching exploration of characters who matter.
In each section, the power of the lead male character is a key issue. Baba Singh carries guilt and is both a distant (literally) husband, and something of a tyrant with his sons. Manmohan is a successful entrepreneur in Fiji who expects his wife and children to serve him. Darshan does and ultimately recognizes “ the willing victim he had become.” And then he too expects much of his children.
Darshan’s transformation, for me, was the hardest to understand. All the characters are drawn carefully and their interactions with other family members explored with sensitivity. When
Darshan’s brothers and sisters turn on him after his years caring for everyone, well, Darshan changes too.
The author provides a family tree, and that helps as there are a lot of characters.
Woven through the book are details of village life in India, Sikh religious practices, and the entire process of acculturation. A fascinating combination.
Although it is not the focus, the context of the eroding British Empire figures in parts one and two. The brutality of British rule in India and to a less degree in Fiji, and the attempts to challenge it, figure but do not dominate the story. Still, since the collapse of colonialism is one of the important happenings of the twentieth century, the novel provides a way of seeing this that’s important.
Darshan is about the power of guilt ("the gift that keeps on giving.") in one man's life. And so much more. It's a story that spans several generations and provides a marvelous flowing encounter with Indian culture and the harshness of British colonial rule from about 1915 on. The principal character is, a Sikh who murders the money lender who ruined his family.
The writing is fine, an eloquent and touching exploration of characters who matter.
February 12, 2019
A multi-generational epic family saga that spans generations, decades, and continents, Darshan traces the reverberations of a single shocking act, from grandfather to the grandson whose name gives the novel its title.
The book is a map of the physical and emotional journeys, the struggles that bind and define a family just trying to find and claim its space in the world. We follow the sins of the father as they pass to the sons, we see why people close their hearts, even as what they want and need most is to open them.
There is a risk of losing one's way in a long and intricate book, but Amrit Chima has woven the threads of the tale so carefully and so well that one feels one is living the story, not just reading it. We walk the miles and fight the fires—real and metaphorical—with the Toors; we go to sleep still digesting the experiences of today, eager to see what tomorrow will bring. We live these characters' lives right along with them, make the physical and emotional journeys with them, which is a great gift.
Darshan is both a literary adventure and a history lesson. We are transported to early 20th Century Indian kitchens, to a lumber mill and dairy farm in Fiji, landing in San Francisco and the Bay Area of 1969. We learn the implications of a Sikh's turban, in concise and caring language, and see into a man's heart through his vision of his wife:
"For the remainder of his years, Baba Singh would wade through darkness to try and reach those first moments with Sad Kaur, that night of unblemished and dreamless rest. So slippery to hold, he would always lose it, that peace seeping like water between his fingers. But she would always be there, knowing he was lost, and he would always be able to see her, no matter how far she receded, an oasis of light."
Sentences are finely crafted and usually describe both inner and outer states and in exquisite, visceral detail:
"From the edge of the pond, splashes resembled temporary soaring twigs of ice crystals. They were dewy, glimmering bubbles. A commotion. A shattering of smooth, reflecting surfaces, like bombs kicking cities up into dust."
Darshan is an achievement of art and mind. It is a classic story of self vs. self, told in artful, masterful language and with great affection for and understanding of the past it conjures to illustrate how a contemporary man came to be.
The book is a map of the physical and emotional journeys, the struggles that bind and define a family just trying to find and claim its space in the world. We follow the sins of the father as they pass to the sons, we see why people close their hearts, even as what they want and need most is to open them.
There is a risk of losing one's way in a long and intricate book, but Amrit Chima has woven the threads of the tale so carefully and so well that one feels one is living the story, not just reading it. We walk the miles and fight the fires—real and metaphorical—with the Toors; we go to sleep still digesting the experiences of today, eager to see what tomorrow will bring. We live these characters' lives right along with them, make the physical and emotional journeys with them, which is a great gift.
Darshan is both a literary adventure and a history lesson. We are transported to early 20th Century Indian kitchens, to a lumber mill and dairy farm in Fiji, landing in San Francisco and the Bay Area of 1969. We learn the implications of a Sikh's turban, in concise and caring language, and see into a man's heart through his vision of his wife:
"For the remainder of his years, Baba Singh would wade through darkness to try and reach those first moments with Sad Kaur, that night of unblemished and dreamless rest. So slippery to hold, he would always lose it, that peace seeping like water between his fingers. But she would always be there, knowing he was lost, and he would always be able to see her, no matter how far she receded, an oasis of light."
Sentences are finely crafted and usually describe both inner and outer states and in exquisite, visceral detail:
"From the edge of the pond, splashes resembled temporary soaring twigs of ice crystals. They were dewy, glimmering bubbles. A commotion. A shattering of smooth, reflecting surfaces, like bombs kicking cities up into dust."
Darshan is an achievement of art and mind. It is a classic story of self vs. self, told in artful, masterful language and with great affection for and understanding of the past it conjures to illustrate how a contemporary man came to be.
January 9, 2014
Shoot, I was hooked on the first page of the prolog. This may turn out to be one of my favorite books.
_____________________
Darshan is a literary achievement.
This book goes on my favorites list. Darshan is a well-written literary novel spanning generations with all kinds of characters. The story takes place in India, Figi, and finally California. Learning about life for this family in northern India and Figi was fascinating. Sikh tradition and culture envelop the family tightly. Everything about the book feels so real, including dialog.
I highly recommend the book and can't say enough good things about it. Anything this author writes will be worth reading and I hope Amrit Chima has a long writing career and graces us all with many more books.
Darshan is the best book I've read this year by far. Books don't make it to my favorites list often. They have to be special in a way that's beyond words.
_____________________
Darshan is a literary achievement.
This book goes on my favorites list. Darshan is a well-written literary novel spanning generations with all kinds of characters. The story takes place in India, Figi, and finally California. Learning about life for this family in northern India and Figi was fascinating. Sikh tradition and culture envelop the family tightly. Everything about the book feels so real, including dialog.
I highly recommend the book and can't say enough good things about it. Anything this author writes will be worth reading and I hope Amrit Chima has a long writing career and graces us all with many more books.
Darshan is the best book I've read this year by far. Books don't make it to my favorites list often. They have to be special in a way that's beyond words.
October 21, 2013
This lyrical debut novel follows three generations of the Toor family—from India to Fiji to San Francisco. Despite the many migrations and historical events the characters witness, this is a book about family and the human soul. Are sons doomed to repeat the mistakes of their fathers? What is more important—familial duty or individual dreams? These are some of the questions Darshan raises.
At the heart of the novel is an enduring and pervasive guilt that burdens not only Baba Singh Toor but also his son and grandson. Darshan traces the many manifestations of this guilt, which is intertwined with the ups and downs of the Toor family. This beautifully layered narrative is engrossing and surprising, with characters who draw you in even as they make terrible decisions. A definite must-read!
At the heart of the novel is an enduring and pervasive guilt that burdens not only Baba Singh Toor but also his son and grandson. Darshan traces the many manifestations of this guilt, which is intertwined with the ups and downs of the Toor family. This beautifully layered narrative is engrossing and surprising, with characters who draw you in even as they make terrible decisions. A definite must-read!
October 8, 2013
Darshan by Chima is a moving and emotional read that left me clinging to every page. The author had be immersed in the story and I could not put the novel down. I began to love and hate certain characters as they came to life (or death). I can't wait for more works to come out from this talented writer.
November 7, 2020
My daughter lent her First Reads copy win but it took me two tries to finish reading it. This tome is weighty being over 500 pages (!) but also in the grim tale of a Sikh family covering three generations. The patriarch commits a crime as a young boy and it seems to doom the family from that point on. Family relationships are fraught even as the family moves together from India to China to Fiji and finally to America seeking a better life and happiness. The Sikh culture was mostly unknown to me so that part of the story was fascinating. The sadness of the story was overwhelming as it chronicled the efforts of this family to find contentment in their lives. It is not an uplifting tale and perhaps one that should not be read during our pandemic times. However, it is one worth reading, so put it on your TBR list for the future.
August 18, 2017
I enjoyed this debut novel by Amrit Chima very much. Its attention to detail, setting and character development was expansive and impressive and a joy to read. It is a difficult tale to tell, as many of the events in the lives of the three generations of the Toor family are heartbreaking, but in the hands of Amrit, the lives of these characters become a tale of family-ties, transplanting to new lands, parenting, yearning and ultimately redemption.
An excellent read, I highly recommend!
An excellent read, I highly recommend!
December 13, 2013
This is a saga of three generations of Sikhs in Punjab, India, Fiji and California during the occupation of the British from 1910 until they left India. I have read many novels by Caucasians wherein they describe how the subjugated Indians felt under British occupation, but this novel is written by an Indian woman who had the viewpoint of those who suffered. Sikhs were considered the warriors of India with great prowess. The culture, as like many old European cultures, placed the responsibility and decision making in the hands of the patriarch of each family. The women were there to propagate and fulfill all desires of their husbands and the sons in each family strived to keep their father or grandfather, whoever the patriarch might be, happy. This is what this story is about.
Under British rule, they kept taxing the Indians more and more until they could no longer make a living and so would go to a money lender (who was not Indian) to borrow enough to satisfy the British. But the moneylenders were not audited and they added much more interest or did not credit correctly and as a result, foreclosed on the land. This happened to this Toor family. They were forced off of their farm by a moneylender, Mr. Grewal and had to take residence in an old hotel that was filthy and falling apart. Lal Toor was the patriarch of this family and Harpreet was his wife. They had several children, but the one who suffered the most from this change was the oldest son, Baba Singh. and his hate towards Mr.Grewal festered until it exploded. During this time Baba worked very hard for a blacksmith and a physician to help support the family. These two men were most influential in Baba’s development.
Not desiring to spoil the story, each of these many family characters are fully developed and their emotions, actions and reactions, together with their offspring’s struggle to understand and abide by these cultural rules are the basis for the story. Darshan is one of the last of the Toors, ends up in California to go to university there, works very hard for a pathologist and a doctor to support himself when his father, who has rheumatoid arthritis moves his grown family from India to California, which totally overwhelms Darshan. Darshan adapts to the American culture more than any of the others. It is during this last part of the story that the reader can truly see into the psyches of all of these characters. The entire story is dramatic, emotional, informative and educational for Westerners. I think it is on a par with “Gone With the Wind” and if I could give it more than five stars, I would do so.
Under British rule, they kept taxing the Indians more and more until they could no longer make a living and so would go to a money lender (who was not Indian) to borrow enough to satisfy the British. But the moneylenders were not audited and they added much more interest or did not credit correctly and as a result, foreclosed on the land. This happened to this Toor family. They were forced off of their farm by a moneylender, Mr. Grewal and had to take residence in an old hotel that was filthy and falling apart. Lal Toor was the patriarch of this family and Harpreet was his wife. They had several children, but the one who suffered the most from this change was the oldest son, Baba Singh. and his hate towards Mr.Grewal festered until it exploded. During this time Baba worked very hard for a blacksmith and a physician to help support the family. These two men were most influential in Baba’s development.
Not desiring to spoil the story, each of these many family characters are fully developed and their emotions, actions and reactions, together with their offspring’s struggle to understand and abide by these cultural rules are the basis for the story. Darshan is one of the last of the Toors, ends up in California to go to university there, works very hard for a pathologist and a doctor to support himself when his father, who has rheumatoid arthritis moves his grown family from India to California, which totally overwhelms Darshan. Darshan adapts to the American culture more than any of the others. It is during this last part of the story that the reader can truly see into the psyches of all of these characters. The entire story is dramatic, emotional, informative and educational for Westerners. I think it is on a par with “Gone With the Wind” and if I could give it more than five stars, I would do so.
October 27, 2013
When I read the description of this book, I was intrigued by the premise. I was thrilled to receive a FirstReads copy and was not disappointed. The book tells the Toor family saga over three generations. Spanning nearly a century, the book is divided into three sections focusing on a different location, time period, and family member. The first section takes place in Punjab, India between 1910 and 1937 and tells Baba Singh's story; the second follows his son Manmahon's tale and takes place in Greater Suva, Fiji between 1947 and 1966; the final section focuses on Manmohan's son Darshan (whose name means one who is blessed with clarity of sight) and takes place in northern California between 1969 and 2005. Each man does what he thinks is in the best interest of the family but others do not necessarily see things the same way and guilt and misery are often present in their lives. Words left unsaid and questions that remain unanswered add to the tension. In each section, you see the characters evolve in response to life events, other family members, and the people they meet along the way; the transformations over time seemed realistic and in line with how the characters' lives unfolded. The reader wonders if each generation will be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the previous one and whether their fates have already been foretold. The Toor family endures many ups and downs over the years and the inter-personal family dynamics at play are complex, tender, believable, and maddening all at once. Some of this family's tragedies make you wonder how much one family can bear; however, the ups and downs are what make the characters seem believable and relatable, even when they are not always likable. This is an impressive first novel debut -- beautiful writing propels the story along over time and place -- and I look forward to reading future works by this author. Thanks to the FirstReads program for introducing me to yet another fantastic new author!
June 28, 2016
ATTENTION (April 2014 change): I have revised this review to show a well-deserved 5 rather than 4 star rating -- I am a more experienced reviewer now, and I see some ratings from earlier reviews were a bit too high or low based on the standard overall. I'm not marking down any I think I may have given a star too many because it seems unnecessary and kind of mean. But, I thought I ought to show full regard when merited with my rating if I am serious enough to actually have written a review in the first place. To fail to make this change would do the work and the writer a disservice. Thanks for reading/scanning this review, everyone. Cheers.
Original Review: I finally finished Darshan after receiving a copy as a winner of a Goodreads giveaway in October (I think); I can confirm for prospective readers that yes, this book is the real deal. I devoted a lot of time to reading this novel, yet I think it will bear much more scrutiny. I plan on reading the novel a second time soon in order to gain an even deeper understanding of this rich text. I largely concur in the specifics of the 5 star reviews that have already amassed for Darshan on this site. I recommend this well-structured, engagingly written multi-generational epic to all readers interested in the story line and readers looking for new literary fiction authors to try. Thanks for reading.
Original Review: I finally finished Darshan after receiving a copy as a winner of a Goodreads giveaway in October (I think); I can confirm for prospective readers that yes, this book is the real deal. I devoted a lot of time to reading this novel, yet I think it will bear much more scrutiny. I plan on reading the novel a second time soon in order to gain an even deeper understanding of this rich text. I largely concur in the specifics of the 5 star reviews that have already amassed for Darshan on this site. I recommend this well-structured, engagingly written multi-generational epic to all readers interested in the story line and readers looking for new literary fiction authors to try. Thanks for reading.
October 7, 2013
Astonishing in its depth of character development and descriptive perceptions, Darshan is an account of multiple generations, living on multiple continents and filled with multiple surprises. In her first novel, Chima has woven together a complex story in such a way that the reader feels a personal and intimate knowledge of, and attachment to, the characters. Her ability to paint a clear picture with her phraseology fills out the story and adds color, profundity and interest at every turn. Chima’s female characters are independent and fully the strength and core of their families, in spite of existing in a culture where males dominate. Her male characters, while depicted as the expected powerful heads of households, are allowed to experience their own unspoken inner doubts and conflicts as well. She has created a tale that is easy to follow and hard to put down and pure pleasure for the reader from start to finish. You will not want Darshan to end!
October 8, 2013
Darshan is a magnificent read by a new author who is destined to be a prolific, best-selling writer. It is a deeply moving novel derived from the author's family history. It explores the themes of loyalty, love, betrayal and finally redemption across generations from its beginnings in India, on to Fiji and finally to the US. It is beautifully written and filled with vivid descriptions. The story is so captivating that you will not want to put it down. This epic novel will captivate and maintain your interest throughout. It is a meaningful, haunting story that will remain with you for a long, long time. You will not easily forget Darshan.
October 9, 2013
Chima writes a family saga in which the characters are tragically doomed to shoulder the sins of their parents. Although the characters are at times frustratingly blind, I nonetheless understood their decisions and motives, cheering them in the right direction even when I knew they would veer off course. Exciting, it reads quickly despite its length, and kept me riveted until the end. A must read.
January 11, 2014
Darshan is one of the best books that I've received through the Goodreads Giveaway so far. A touching story about an Indian family's struggles to relate to one another despite changing times and immersion within new cultural environments, this book has themes reminiscent of The Good Earth. The story really draws you in. I'll be looking forward to seeing what else Amrit Chima writes, since this book is a masterpiece.
September 17, 2013
The characters in Darshan will haunt you long after you finish the book. A masterful storyteller, Chima leaves the reader wanting more. Thankfully, there is so much richness and subtle nuance in the writing that multiple reads offer new discoveries and insights into the characters and their stories. Impressive debut novel.
February 12, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. I identified with the Indian aspects of it, and some parts of it hit close to home (I live in San Francisco). So those two aspects made it intimate.
I enjoyed how the story flowed through generations. The characters were well thought out and realistic. I was even upset with some of them like they were real.
I'm glad this book was recommended to me.
I enjoyed how the story flowed through generations. The characters were well thought out and realistic. I was even upset with some of them like they were real.
I'm glad this book was recommended to me.
December 25, 2013
Fascinating book about a culture that I do not have a strong understanding of. The book took me to a different world and culture and revealed a whole new world to me. I am so thankful to read a book that has helped open my eyes to this new culture.
May 15, 2014
I won this book on Goodreads, & it really is a treasure. What an emotional ride! The pain, fortitude, bitterness, envy, & love portrayed by the characters in the story are remarkable. I hope this author keeps writing!
December 17, 2014
I loved this rich and epic novel I didn't want it to end.I love Southeast Asian novels ans look forward to more from Amrit Chima.
Want to read
December 14, 201314 DEC 2013 -- offered as an ebook for only $0.99 for the nook from Barnes & Noble. Whee for me!
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