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The Fertile Earth
An unforgettable story of love and resistance surrounding two young people born across social lines, set against a tumultuous political landscape in India.
Vijaya and Sree are the daughters of the Deshmukhs of Irumi. Hailing from a lineage of ancestral aristocrats, their family’s social status and power over villagers on their land is absolute. Krishna and Ranga, brothers, are the sons of a widowed servant in the Deshmukh household.
When Vijaya and Krishna meet, they forge an intense bond that is beautiful and dangerous. But after an innocent attempt to hunt down a man-eating tiger in the jungle goes wrong, what happens between the two of them is disastrous, the consequences reverberating through their lives into young adulthood.
Years later, when violent uprisings rip across the countryside and the Marxist, ultra-left Naxalite movement arrives in Irumi, Vijaya and Krishna are forced to navigate the insurmountable differences of land ownership and class warfare in a country that is burning from the inside out―while being irresistibly drawn back to each other, their childhood bond now full of possibilities neither of them are willing to admit.
The Fertile Earth is a vast, ambitious debut that is equal parts historical, political, and human, with the enduring ties of love and family loyalty at its heart. Who can be loved? What are the costs of transgressions? How can justice be measured, and who will be alive to bear witness?
Vijaya and Sree are the daughters of the Deshmukhs of Irumi. Hailing from a lineage of ancestral aristocrats, their family’s social status and power over villagers on their land is absolute. Krishna and Ranga, brothers, are the sons of a widowed servant in the Deshmukh household.
When Vijaya and Krishna meet, they forge an intense bond that is beautiful and dangerous. But after an innocent attempt to hunt down a man-eating tiger in the jungle goes wrong, what happens between the two of them is disastrous, the consequences reverberating through their lives into young adulthood.
Years later, when violent uprisings rip across the countryside and the Marxist, ultra-left Naxalite movement arrives in Irumi, Vijaya and Krishna are forced to navigate the insurmountable differences of land ownership and class warfare in a country that is burning from the inside out―while being irresistibly drawn back to each other, their childhood bond now full of possibilities neither of them are willing to admit.
The Fertile Earth is a vast, ambitious debut that is equal parts historical, political, and human, with the enduring ties of love and family loyalty at its heart. Who can be loved? What are the costs of transgressions? How can justice be measured, and who will be alive to bear witness?
373 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
73 people are currently reading
8412 people want to read
About the author
Ruthvika Rao
3 books61 followersRuthvika Rao is from Hyderabad, India. She is the author of The Fertile Earth, which was a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the Chautauqua prize, and longlisted for the Dylan Thomas prize.
www.ruthvikarao.com
www.ruthvikarao.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 9, 2024
I'm just amazed that I liked the hell out of this book knowing that I was completely unaware about its existence and the plot. It's one of those books that just fell into my lap out of the blue. Quite weirdly, it just took milliseconds of glance through my Google suggestions to see the title of this book, and I guess that was all that I needed to start reading it.
Set in a fictional village of Irumi, Telangana, The Fertile Earth is a bold and beautifully written historical fiction debut by Ruthvika Rao. As I already mentioned, I had no expectations from this book, but that prologue was just so damn good that it was 5 stars for me right from the very first chapter. I was just looking for some reasons to reduce the rating by the end, but to no avail.
More than the actual plot, the book's strongest aspect is Ruthvika's exceptional hold on the writing style; her prose and imagery are so beautiful at times, even though the subject matter is mostly not as beautiful, in fact a bit on the darker side. As it's a historical fiction that spans across the 1960s to the 1990s, it also blends the then historical tussles that went about in the southern part of India, specifically Telangana and the Madras region, portraying the pain and turmoil that farmers and poor people suffered under the domination of feudal lords and Zamindars, the riots and killings caused by Naxalites and communist factions. And through this, Ruthvika paves a way to tell a story about some of the most likeable characters I've read in a novel: Krishna, Vijaya, Sree, and Ranga. Their meetings near the vadi (the Deshmukh Mansion), and the complete imagery revolving around that whole arc was just so heartwarming to read. Her writing really makes you feel that you're there in front of the mansion with them. It has a bittersweet, kind of eerie yet soothing feel to it.
This is definitely the kind of novel I would like to reread again and again, and I might do it very soon.
Overall, I hope whoever comes across this review surely gives this book a try. I hope Ruthvika keeps on writing such amazing novels. At this point, I'll read anything she writes.
Set in a fictional village of Irumi, Telangana, The Fertile Earth is a bold and beautifully written historical fiction debut by Ruthvika Rao. As I already mentioned, I had no expectations from this book, but that prologue was just so damn good that it was 5 stars for me right from the very first chapter. I was just looking for some reasons to reduce the rating by the end, but to no avail.
More than the actual plot, the book's strongest aspect is Ruthvika's exceptional hold on the writing style; her prose and imagery are so beautiful at times, even though the subject matter is mostly not as beautiful, in fact a bit on the darker side. As it's a historical fiction that spans across the 1960s to the 1990s, it also blends the then historical tussles that went about in the southern part of India, specifically Telangana and the Madras region, portraying the pain and turmoil that farmers and poor people suffered under the domination of feudal lords and Zamindars, the riots and killings caused by Naxalites and communist factions. And through this, Ruthvika paves a way to tell a story about some of the most likeable characters I've read in a novel: Krishna, Vijaya, Sree, and Ranga. Their meetings near the vadi (the Deshmukh Mansion), and the complete imagery revolving around that whole arc was just so heartwarming to read. Her writing really makes you feel that you're there in front of the mansion with them. It has a bittersweet, kind of eerie yet soothing feel to it.
This is definitely the kind of novel I would like to reread again and again, and I might do it very soon.
Overall, I hope whoever comes across this review surely gives this book a try. I hope Ruthvika keeps on writing such amazing novels. At this point, I'll read anything she writes.
January 23, 2024
I savored this novel. The imagery was insane. At times there was almost too much detail and it took away from the moment. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded. Immediately after being introduced to the village of Irumi, BAM, heads hanging on pikes! It was a great beginning. What follows are the events that lead to the heads. The story is told through friendship, adventure, exile, resistance, and love. As I previously mentioned, at times there was too much detail. I found this to be especially true in part 2 and I actually skipped entire paragraphs because of the overwhelming amount of detail. I will be reading this novel again and have already recommended it to other bibliophiles.
June 30, 2024
One of the best reads of the year for me so far. I am a person who likes more conversation or dialogue and less description or discussion but the writers detailed storytelling transported me to a time and place I could have never imagined. To experience a land and culture with such deep rituals, beliefs, social classes & accepted punishments for crossing any line… so many dreams so close to being realized and being changed or shattered with no choice. An unbelievably well written story that I will think of often.
Thank you Goodreads & Flatiron Books for my ARC
Thank you Goodreads & Flatiron Books for my ARC
May 10, 2025
4.25 stars
August 3, 2024
1960s, India - amidst a tumultuous political landscape, the story revolves around Vijaya and Sree - daughters of a wealthy landowning family, and Krishna and Ranga - sons of a local washerwoman. And one tragic event that changed their lives and bond forever.
The story begins at the Irumi village, which the vivid imagery incorporating visceral descriptions at times leads one to soak in the land and culture, as though they had lives on their own. Scattered at first, the plot soon moves in an enticing way, examining themes of class (caste), love, loneliness, politics, friendship and resistance. The novel's strength lies in the decent characterization, with a realistic character buildup of characters searching for something lost between them, in hopes of restoring the bond painfully severed. A mother’s loathsome attitude, a sister surviving in guilt -the story is punctuated by fractured relationships, sisterhood and love that make a moving move on readers. Among muddy waters, the characters grow in front of one's eyes and become as fertile as the land they live in, the title of this novel.
I also appreciate the deep dive into the Indian historical and political background, and found many aspects new to me. In this context, Rao emphasizes the role of power over people and the way one can be devoted to a cause. In an attempt to build the strength of the characters and events, the story has its lull moments, often detracting from a full emotional attachment. However, it ends in a beautiful tone, impressing one with all the emotions reminiscent of Marjan Kamali's novels.
With lyrical prose, THE FERTILE EARTH is about vulnerable characters carving out togetherness. It's a plethora of the meaning of land, political violence and human connection. I thought it was a solid debut and I am curious to see what Rao writes next.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Flatiron books . All opinions are my own ]
The story begins at the Irumi village, which the vivid imagery incorporating visceral descriptions at times leads one to soak in the land and culture, as though they had lives on their own. Scattered at first, the plot soon moves in an enticing way, examining themes of class (caste), love, loneliness, politics, friendship and resistance. The novel's strength lies in the decent characterization, with a realistic character buildup of characters searching for something lost between them, in hopes of restoring the bond painfully severed. A mother’s loathsome attitude, a sister surviving in guilt -the story is punctuated by fractured relationships, sisterhood and love that make a moving move on readers. Among muddy waters, the characters grow in front of one's eyes and become as fertile as the land they live in, the title of this novel.
I also appreciate the deep dive into the Indian historical and political background, and found many aspects new to me. In this context, Rao emphasizes the role of power over people and the way one can be devoted to a cause. In an attempt to build the strength of the characters and events, the story has its lull moments, often detracting from a full emotional attachment. However, it ends in a beautiful tone, impressing one with all the emotions reminiscent of Marjan Kamali's novels.
With lyrical prose, THE FERTILE EARTH is about vulnerable characters carving out togetherness. It's a plethora of the meaning of land, political violence and human connection. I thought it was a solid debut and I am curious to see what Rao writes next.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Flatiron books . All opinions are my own ]
August 31, 2024
I began this novel with patience, happily waiting for it to sweep me up and for the characters to carry me away.
However, although I grew to care for the cast, and their paths through the story did pull me through to a certain extent, none of the characters, to me, felt indispensable to the plot, nor really that compelling in the end.
By the final movements of the narrative, I felt no incentive to finish ‘The Fertile Earth’. Nothing had really happened. Yes, there was action, and it was ‘tumultuous’, as the blurb states, but somehow, the novel, overall, flatlined.
My overwhelming sensation listening to ‘The Fertile Earth’ was that I’d read this book before, and many times, at that. Though I can acknowledge the craft and effort evident in Rao’s writing, effort without flair doesn’t always succeed. And although I could see Krishna’s face clearly at times and I could almost feel the fabrics and the jewellery Vijaya wears, I didn’t – as many other reviewers have - think the imagery was intense or immersive.
Perhaps I’m not exactly the target demographic for ‘The Fertile Earth’, yet I am a big fan of Historical Fiction, so I’m not ignorant of the contemporary standard of writing out there in the genre.
All the same, the narration was first-rate. Sneha Mathan gives a vibrant, emotionally rich rendering of the main characters, and demonstrates her versatility through her interpretation of the individualities comprising the opposing classes at conflict in Post-Independence Indian society.
Still, thanks go to the excellent Bolinda Audio for the chance to listen to an advanced copy, via NetGalley.
However, although I grew to care for the cast, and their paths through the story did pull me through to a certain extent, none of the characters, to me, felt indispensable to the plot, nor really that compelling in the end.
By the final movements of the narrative, I felt no incentive to finish ‘The Fertile Earth’. Nothing had really happened. Yes, there was action, and it was ‘tumultuous’, as the blurb states, but somehow, the novel, overall, flatlined.
My overwhelming sensation listening to ‘The Fertile Earth’ was that I’d read this book before, and many times, at that. Though I can acknowledge the craft and effort evident in Rao’s writing, effort without flair doesn’t always succeed. And although I could see Krishna’s face clearly at times and I could almost feel the fabrics and the jewellery Vijaya wears, I didn’t – as many other reviewers have - think the imagery was intense or immersive.
Perhaps I’m not exactly the target demographic for ‘The Fertile Earth’, yet I am a big fan of Historical Fiction, so I’m not ignorant of the contemporary standard of writing out there in the genre.
All the same, the narration was first-rate. Sneha Mathan gives a vibrant, emotionally rich rendering of the main characters, and demonstrates her versatility through her interpretation of the individualities comprising the opposing classes at conflict in Post-Independence Indian society.
Still, thanks go to the excellent Bolinda Audio for the chance to listen to an advanced copy, via NetGalley.
November 5, 2024
The story is set against the backdrop of the Naxalite Movement in Telangana where people took to violence to rebel against the oppressive zamindari system.
The story deals with the unlikely friendship between Vijaya, the older daughter of the landlord, and Krishna, the son of a washerwoman. Both are acutely aware of the societal difference that separates them, yet, they continue with the friendship because it means so much to them. Krishna's mother and brother are willing to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure that he gets an education and attains a better societal status.
One dramatic incident alters the fate of the protagonists. Everything changes for them in ways they could never have imagined. The charm of the book is in the fact that it goes way beyond an unlikely love story, and examines the relationship between the many characters. Each of them is a fairly complex character, and their there are unexpected nuances in most of their interactions.
While the central theme of the book is the exploitative zamindari system and the Naxalite movement, the book also examines other themes like gender imbalance and caste hierarchy.
The book is similar in scope to the Covenant of Water, though a comparison with the book might not be fair to either of the books. The Fertile Earth is the debut novel of the author, and I certainly look forward to seeing whether her subsequent works match upto this magnum opus.
I received an ARC of the book, and the views are my own. A more detailed review here: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2024/09/...
The story deals with the unlikely friendship between Vijaya, the older daughter of the landlord, and Krishna, the son of a washerwoman. Both are acutely aware of the societal difference that separates them, yet, they continue with the friendship because it means so much to them. Krishna's mother and brother are willing to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure that he gets an education and attains a better societal status.
One dramatic incident alters the fate of the protagonists. Everything changes for them in ways they could never have imagined. The charm of the book is in the fact that it goes way beyond an unlikely love story, and examines the relationship between the many characters. Each of them is a fairly complex character, and their there are unexpected nuances in most of their interactions.
While the central theme of the book is the exploitative zamindari system and the Naxalite movement, the book also examines other themes like gender imbalance and caste hierarchy.
The book is similar in scope to the Covenant of Water, though a comparison with the book might not be fair to either of the books. The Fertile Earth is the debut novel of the author, and I certainly look forward to seeing whether her subsequent works match upto this magnum opus.
I received an ARC of the book, and the views are my own. A more detailed review here: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2024/09/...
January 29, 2025
The Fertile Earth is an absolutely beautiful but gut wrenching novel, exploring the complex political landscape of India in the late 1900s, with characters that offer a number of intricate perspectives throughout the novel. With various depictions of love, anger, betrayal, violence, morality, loyalty throughout, this book immerses you right into the world of its characters, and I felt myself hoping for various outcomes like I would with real people.
While the first chapter immediately gives you an idea of how this book will end, I got hooked into it all the same (all while hoping that somehow what was written in that first chapter would be wrong). While not the most suspenseful book, I found myself needing to know how everything plays out, what happens in the interim, not just what happens at the end. Not only is it thought provoking, interesting, and informative, The Fertile Earth is also beautifully written and incredibly descriptive - at times it feels like you are there, smelling the orchard, feeling the heat, hearing the jewellery - and all done in a way where you want to know more about the setting and the surroundings; you want to be completely immersed, and you are.
While the first chapter immediately gives you an idea of how this book will end, I got hooked into it all the same (all while hoping that somehow what was written in that first chapter would be wrong). While not the most suspenseful book, I found myself needing to know how everything plays out, what happens in the interim, not just what happens at the end. Not only is it thought provoking, interesting, and informative, The Fertile Earth is also beautifully written and incredibly descriptive - at times it feels like you are there, smelling the orchard, feeling the heat, hearing the jewellery - and all done in a way where you want to know more about the setting and the surroundings; you want to be completely immersed, and you are.
June 22, 2025
This is a gripping family epic and I was engrossed from the very beginning. It is an amazing debut novel because it has such scope and depth. The pacing, character development, setting and plot were all outstanding. I felt like I was watching this unfolding on a screen before me. I have been to India a few times but this novel would still be perfect if you had little to no understanding of the class structure, landscape and people. While the tragedy is extreme for some of these characters there is still a sense of hope. The relationship between Vijaya, Sree and Kartier (I had the audio so I’ve guessed this spelling) was complex and compelling. There are a lot of ripples on this pond.
August 13, 2024
The Fertile Earth by Ruthvika Rao
Narrated by Sneha Mathan
Genre: historical fiction
Telangana, India, 1955-1970
This was a gorgeous, difficult read.
Vijaya is the least beloved daughter. She'll never be as perfect as her younger sister Sree. Daughters of prominent landowners in Irumi, India in the latter half of the 20th century, they have privilege and comfort where the sharecroppers and servants struggle. Vijaya befriends Krishna, the son of a servant, and his older brother Ranga. When, as children, the 4 of them trek to the jungle in search of a legend, disaster strikes. This sweeping novel follows them through the next decades of their lives, where some are better able to escape the burden of the past, set against a backdrop of class warfare and communist party rebellions in southern India.
The Fertile Earth is an impressive and expansive debut. As primarily a romance reader, my heart clenched for the pining between Krishna and Vijaya, but as someone fascinated by mid-century politics, watching the rise of differing political interests and the immediate impact on the lives of people from different classes held my interest. The writing is beautiful, with lush, descriptive prose and strong character development. That said, it was my second book in a row where a mother has specifically degraded her least favorite daughter causing the main character desperate heartbreak and the inability to see herself as anything better than her younger more perfect sister. It's not an adjacent theme I love reading, but it is critical to Vijaya's character and her choices throughout the novel.
The audiobook narration by Sneha Mathan is as beautiful as the prose by Ruthvika Rao. Anything this sweeping deserves a listen.
The Fertile Earth is a book you can pick up without much knowledge of 1960s post-partition India, as Rao supplies all political background necessary for the narrative from village life to the bustling cities of Madras and Hyderabad.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC for review. The Fertile Earth is out 8/13/24!
Narrated by Sneha Mathan
Genre: historical fiction
Telangana, India, 1955-1970
This was a gorgeous, difficult read.
Vijaya is the least beloved daughter. She'll never be as perfect as her younger sister Sree. Daughters of prominent landowners in Irumi, India in the latter half of the 20th century, they have privilege and comfort where the sharecroppers and servants struggle. Vijaya befriends Krishna, the son of a servant, and his older brother Ranga. When, as children, the 4 of them trek to the jungle in search of a legend, disaster strikes. This sweeping novel follows them through the next decades of their lives, where some are better able to escape the burden of the past, set against a backdrop of class warfare and communist party rebellions in southern India.
The Fertile Earth is an impressive and expansive debut. As primarily a romance reader, my heart clenched for the pining between Krishna and Vijaya, but as someone fascinated by mid-century politics, watching the rise of differing political interests and the immediate impact on the lives of people from different classes held my interest. The writing is beautiful, with lush, descriptive prose and strong character development. That said, it was my second book in a row where a mother has specifically degraded her least favorite daughter causing the main character desperate heartbreak and the inability to see herself as anything better than her younger more perfect sister. It's not an adjacent theme I love reading, but it is critical to Vijaya's character and her choices throughout the novel.
The audiobook narration by Sneha Mathan is as beautiful as the prose by Ruthvika Rao. Anything this sweeping deserves a listen.
The Fertile Earth is a book you can pick up without much knowledge of 1960s post-partition India, as Rao supplies all political background necessary for the narrative from village life to the bustling cities of Madras and Hyderabad.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC for review. The Fertile Earth is out 8/13/24!
August 17, 2024
This bold debut by Ruthvika Rao packages an age old story in a fantastic new container.
Set between 1950s-70s Andhra in the rural backdrop of a zamindari village with it's caste and class oppressions that leads to a Naxalism, the book follows India's story in the villages. Amidst it all is the story of Vijaya and Krishna - two people whose lives are irrevocably altered due to a childhood mishap.
The books starts in 1970 in Irumi village with heads on pikes of the Deshmukh household described after a detailing of how a cow is deskinned. She announces her style and then goes on to the past of the Zamindari system in 1950s where it was considered a duty to maintain social classes. The Deshmukh's have two daughters Vijaya and Shree - not equal to the mother.
There is a friendship that blooms between Vijaya and Krishna, the son of the washerwoman. Krishna, along with his elder brother Ranga accompany Vijaya and Shree go on a tiger hunt that goes horribly wrong. Krishna gets sent to Osmania university in Hyderabad never to set foot in Irumi again.
The section in Hyderabad - student politics and communal vote banks represent the period. Meanwhile, Vijaya goes to study in Presidency college Madras - and she finds her own. Their stories and the families across 20 years forms the engaging story.
I loved the writing style - simple and bold. The narrative style is not conventionally linear - she starts a chapter sometime in future from the ending of the previous chapter and later fills in the blanks. It took a while to get used to, but then you understood the effect. The book, on the whole, leaves you with a heavy heart.
Liked this one. Look forward to what more she can do!
Special shoutout to the narration by Sneha Mathan in this audiobook.
Disclaimer: Thank you Bolinda books and netgalley for the ARC of the book.
Set between 1950s-70s Andhra in the rural backdrop of a zamindari village with it's caste and class oppressions that leads to a Naxalism, the book follows India's story in the villages. Amidst it all is the story of Vijaya and Krishna - two people whose lives are irrevocably altered due to a childhood mishap.
The books starts in 1970 in Irumi village with heads on pikes of the Deshmukh household described after a detailing of how a cow is deskinned. She announces her style and then goes on to the past of the Zamindari system in 1950s where it was considered a duty to maintain social classes. The Deshmukh's have two daughters Vijaya and Shree - not equal to the mother.
There is a friendship that blooms between Vijaya and Krishna, the son of the washerwoman. Krishna, along with his elder brother Ranga accompany Vijaya and Shree go on a tiger hunt that goes horribly wrong. Krishna gets sent to Osmania university in Hyderabad never to set foot in Irumi again.
The section in Hyderabad - student politics and communal vote banks represent the period. Meanwhile, Vijaya goes to study in Presidency college Madras - and she finds her own. Their stories and the families across 20 years forms the engaging story.
I loved the writing style - simple and bold. The narrative style is not conventionally linear - she starts a chapter sometime in future from the ending of the previous chapter and later fills in the blanks. It took a while to get used to, but then you understood the effect. The book, on the whole, leaves you with a heavy heart.
Liked this one. Look forward to what more she can do!
Special shoutout to the narration by Sneha Mathan in this audiobook.
Disclaimer: Thank you Bolinda books and netgalley for the ARC of the book.
December 12, 2024
This was an ambitious debut with some powerful storytelling and evocative descriptions. It could have done with a stronger edit in my opinion as I found the characters too opaque to really empathize with and the pacing was all over the place.
June 28, 2025
This is quite a hidden gem! Only ~400 GR ratings?! Really enjoyed it, amazing imagery, rich in history, loved the characters!
Want to read
September 19, 2024i am very excited to read this after the hsc
December 19, 2024
Wow. What a beautiful, heartbreaking, and completely gut-wrenching way end to my year of reading. This book was utterly phenomenal, completely blowing every other read of this year -- and perhaps years prior -- out of the water. There are so many things to say about this story, about the romance and the politics and the history and the class commentary, and all of that must begin with my compliments to Ruthvika Rao, for depicting such a vibrant world and cast of characters who reside in it. I would recommend this 100 times over to anyone.
May 28, 2024
4 stars.
Thank you Goodreads for giving me an ARC of this lovely book.
It’s a beautiful love story about a boy and a girl born into different castes. In older times, caste in India formed the social structure. It ruled not only the social but also economical standing of a person in the society. The boy and girl, in our story, are born in different caste that were forbidden to interact even, let alone fall in love. It’s a story of how their love story which was initiated in the childhood goes through different troughs of caste divide, politics and other scenarios and how it sees the end of the day. The story is also a sneak peak into the period that was rife with zamidars (landlords) who were infamous for sucking the life out of their subjects. And ultimately what gave birth to Naxalism.
I felt that the story that had so much potential but ended up being rushed towards the end. Parts of it completely confounded me like how things ended between Ravi and Vijaya. How Vijaya ended up in Bombay. It felt as if just because Vijaya was supposed to be saved from what was coming to Irumi, she was sent to Bombay because all of a sudden ‘she wanted to know.’
Nevertheless, there are parts that I absolutely loved: like character buildup. The author was absolutely brilliant with the characterization of each of the character in the novel. It was as if I personally knew each of the characters in the story. Secondly, the author was highly successful in activating the emotional side of me. Description of emotional state of the characters were absolutely amazing. Perhaps, it will be a wise idea to keep tissue papers handy if you are reading the book for the first time. The next thing that I liked a lot about the author was her grasp over the description of the present moment. Her vivid and expansive imagination of the scene and not just the characters put me right the middle of the moment being described in the book. It was as if I am looking at every single detail of the room, the weather, the characters etc. being described there.
In the end, I am emotional and happy that Vijaya found the love she truly deserved.
All the Best Ruthvika; looking forward to reading a lot more from you!
Thank you Goodreads for giving me an ARC of this lovely book.
It’s a beautiful love story about a boy and a girl born into different castes. In older times, caste in India formed the social structure. It ruled not only the social but also economical standing of a person in the society. The boy and girl, in our story, are born in different caste that were forbidden to interact even, let alone fall in love. It’s a story of how their love story which was initiated in the childhood goes through different troughs of caste divide, politics and other scenarios and how it sees the end of the day. The story is also a sneak peak into the period that was rife with zamidars (landlords) who were infamous for sucking the life out of their subjects. And ultimately what gave birth to Naxalism.
I felt that the story that had so much potential but ended up being rushed towards the end. Parts of it completely confounded me like how things ended between Ravi and Vijaya. How Vijaya ended up in Bombay. It felt as if just because Vijaya was supposed to be saved from what was coming to Irumi, she was sent to Bombay because all of a sudden ‘she wanted to know.’
Nevertheless, there are parts that I absolutely loved: like character buildup. The author was absolutely brilliant with the characterization of each of the character in the novel. It was as if I personally knew each of the characters in the story. Secondly, the author was highly successful in activating the emotional side of me. Description of emotional state of the characters were absolutely amazing. Perhaps, it will be a wise idea to keep tissue papers handy if you are reading the book for the first time. The next thing that I liked a lot about the author was her grasp over the description of the present moment. Her vivid and expansive imagination of the scene and not just the characters put me right the middle of the moment being described in the book. It was as if I am looking at every single detail of the room, the weather, the characters etc. being described there.
In the end, I am emotional and happy that Vijaya found the love she truly deserved.
All the Best Ruthvika; looking forward to reading a lot more from you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
A gorgeous love story against the backdrop of the feudal system prevalent in India and spanning several decades from the 1950s to the 1970s. Vijaya and Stree are the privileged, somewhat spoilt daughters of the Deshmukh family. The Deshmukh family are feudal landlords, the self-proclaimed kings of the Irumi village, prone to persecuting their sharecroppers. The sharecroppers are literally their slaves. Ranga and Krishna are the sons of Pichamma and indentured servant of the Deshmukh household. As a close bond of friendship develops between Vijaya and Krishna, the events unfold with disastrous and far-reaching consequences. This debut novel from Ruthvika Rao is at once a poignant coming of age story, a literary romance and a candid portrayal of India's caste and feudal hierarchies. It highlights the origins and rise of the Naxalite movement. While I had heard about this movement in North India I had no idea it was prevalent in the south as well. The enchanting descriptions of the village life reminded me about The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and the family dynamics and politics of a post-independence India are reminiscent of A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. This may well turn out to be one of most favourite reads of 2024 and I am definitely looking out for more writing from this author. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley, Flatiron Books and Ruthvika Rao for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley, Flatiron Books and Ruthvika Rao for the ARC.
April 17, 2025
There's a moment in the book (not a spoiler) where one character overhears two people speaking in Telugu and enjoys listening to their conversation -- even their mundane grumblings "fell softly on his ears" and left his heart feeling warm and full.
Getting to read fiction written by a Telugu author telling a story deeply rooted in the history of Telangana feels similar. It's an indulgence I didn't know to look for myself.
My personal cultural bias aside, this is a well-written book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes rich narrative with multiple protagonists. While I see some comments about the extensive imagery, I think it helps with the pacing of the book and the vivid detail roots you to the various settings and timelines this story covers.
For those who don't know, in the 1950-1970s Hyderabad State/Telangana goes through so many changes on multiple axes of class, caste, religion, and identity (eg, the rise of communism, Naxalite movement, razakars, the feudal lords (dora/dorasanis), caste based violence, politics of higher education, and ever-shifting landscape of a recently-independent India and newly-annexed Hyderabad after the fall of the last Nizam).
Much of this historical memory is woven into so many dimensions of this book, but in a way that serves the narrative and anchors the story. It doesn't become a deep-dive into all of the historical aspects I listed (as much as I would have loved that), but how the characters and their situations develop is informed by the complicated context of it all. The world they live in feels true to the time, and that would have definitely taken a lot of research and effort.
I also found it extremely impressive that the author was able to pack in so much detail and backstory behind each character, often transporting across settings and decades through their memory alone, all while moving the narrative forward.
Overall, great read and would recommend!
Getting to read fiction written by a Telugu author telling a story deeply rooted in the history of Telangana feels similar. It's an indulgence I didn't know to look for myself.
My personal cultural bias aside, this is a well-written book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes rich narrative with multiple protagonists. While I see some comments about the extensive imagery, I think it helps with the pacing of the book and the vivid detail roots you to the various settings and timelines this story covers.
For those who don't know, in the 1950-1970s Hyderabad State/Telangana goes through so many changes on multiple axes of class, caste, religion, and identity (eg, the rise of communism, Naxalite movement, razakars, the feudal lords (dora/dorasanis), caste based violence, politics of higher education, and ever-shifting landscape of a recently-independent India and newly-annexed Hyderabad after the fall of the last Nizam).
Much of this historical memory is woven into so many dimensions of this book, but in a way that serves the narrative and anchors the story. It doesn't become a deep-dive into all of the historical aspects I listed (as much as I would have loved that), but how the characters and their situations develop is informed by the complicated context of it all. The world they live in feels true to the time, and that would have definitely taken a lot of research and effort.
I also found it extremely impressive that the author was able to pack in so much detail and backstory behind each character, often transporting across settings and decades through their memory alone, all while moving the narrative forward.
Overall, great read and would recommend!
March 15, 2025
Ambitious, but flawed, Ruthvika Rao’s "The Fertile Earth" reimagines the Romeo and Juliet story amid the Hindu caste system and the political violence as India comes of age in the last half of the Twentieth Century. The book taught me a great deal about the Naxalites, the Maoist insurgents who wreaked rough justice on rural India’s feudal landholders. Rao excels in creating a convincing, palpable world inhabited by characters who make you care. Also, I like her elliptical narration. She drops a hint about a plot turn and a few chapters later you see it developed.
But this is Rao’s first novel, and the rough edges show. At important turns, two of the four major protagonists act totally out of character. In places, motivational triggers for characters’ actions feel contrived; in others, lacking. At the heart of the novel is a complicated love relationship. One might hope for a smoother path through its twists and turns. Endings are especially difficult. Instead of being told through the eyes of a minor character, keeping the point of view with the two remaining protagonists could have delivered a stronger emotional resolution. Despite such stutters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe Rao has a long and productive career ahead. I await her second novel with anticipation.
But this is Rao’s first novel, and the rough edges show. At important turns, two of the four major protagonists act totally out of character. In places, motivational triggers for characters’ actions feel contrived; in others, lacking. At the heart of the novel is a complicated love relationship. One might hope for a smoother path through its twists and turns. Endings are especially difficult. Instead of being told through the eyes of a minor character, keeping the point of view with the two remaining protagonists could have delivered a stronger emotional resolution. Despite such stutters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe Rao has a long and productive career ahead. I await her second novel with anticipation.
February 10, 2025
I honestly keep going back and forth on this rating as there were times it felt like five stars and then moments of extreme disappointment - the writing brought me immediately to a place and time, with beautiful descriptions and detail. The level of intimacy we had with the families and town were skillfully drawn. But I never quite bought into the love story - dare I say I even found it frustrating and at times unbelievable - and then I left the book feeling one character in particular (Ranga) was so unjustly treated. I actually was quite angry about his plot line, how his political struggle and choices were depicted, and felt he was given very little dignity and humanity compared to the grace given other characters. I know that we are supposed to understand the eventual love story conclusion as a political choice - choosing each other despite so many forces making it difficult - but I found it the most apolitical conclusion we could have come to after a book that built up to something I thought would be so different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
I found myself slowing savoring this novel, never wanting it to end. Rao has a special way of describing scenes and making you see them, feel them, and smell them. It’s a true talent. The imagery of Irumi, Hyderabad, Bombay and other places I genuinely have no personal connection to or knowledge of is amazing. The story itself is one that breaks and bonds your heart at the same time. The themes of love, fate, and class are all beautifully mended with each other. Rao brought me into the historical world of the second half of 20th century India where I was able to learn so much about the cultural, class, and political movements of the time while also being engaged in a story that taught me so much about the complex nature of individual identity, forgiveness, and personal bonds to others.
A must read for anyone! I feel I could pick this up again and spend more time with the descriptions and pick up more literary genius from Rao. This is a book that I could see being recommend to literature classes— I believe it will be, or at least should be, highly circulated for any to read.
A must read for anyone! I feel I could pick this up again and spend more time with the descriptions and pick up more literary genius from Rao. This is a book that I could see being recommend to literature classes— I believe it will be, or at least should be, highly circulated for any to read.
August 18, 2024
This was an incredible saga of friendship and resilience set in 1960s India. We have 4 characters here - sisters Vijaya and Sree from a wealthy family of landowners and brothers Krishna and Ranga whose mother is a washerwoman. I liked our four characters and how their relationships developed from childhood onwards. We get a major tragedy early in the book that then impacts the rest of the story from then on out. The storylines are beautifully developed, but, somewhat less common in family sagas, were also well-concluded. That all being said, there is a lot of politics and history woven in here, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. The audiobook narration was beautifully done and added a lot of character to the story.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
December 21, 2024
A book I will always remember. A sweping story about rural India in the middle of the last century that focuses on the intertwined lives of the feudal family and the village they still control. While the wealthy family and the villagers are still tightly controlled by tradition and money, the growing Marxist rebellion and the corruption and violence of national politics puts all into danger. The discussion of Indian life at all levels in the 1950’s is absorbing, but the writing is fast paced and story is marked by unexpected changes and violence. The underlying love story about wealthy daughter of the feudalfamily and a young boy from the village is hopeful, but always threatened. Although you know from the first pages that the family ends up being brutally executed, you never know for certain who is involved until the very end.
November 28, 2024
THE FERTILE EARTH by Ruthvika Rao is a compelling and heartfelt story of love, class, and political upheaval in India. The connection between Vijaya, a privileged daughter, and Krishna, the son of a servant, unfolds against a backdrop of social unrest and rebellion, creating a narrative that feels both personal and expansive. The audiobook, narrated by Sneha Mathan, captures the characters and their struggles with remarkable nuance and passion. This captivating debut delves into themes of love, loyalty, and justice, leaving a lasting impression.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
August 11, 2025
An enjoyable read overall, with some really beautiful, evocative prose. A few issues with pacing though; this feels like it was edited down quite significantly and a lot of the sections around Krishna's time at university with Gagan and the Suma/Ranga communist plotline feel a little under-developed and as such lacking in impact. I got the sense the author was trying to compress the more traditional style of Indian (English-language)-family saga doorstoppers into something a bit more commercially palatable for a Western audience, and it mostly works, but I really think an extra 1 or 2 hundred pages would have helped the flow a lot. There's also some quite confusing family dynamics which I don't think were satisfactorily resolved (will withhold my specific point of confusion for risk of spoilers), but overall, an impressive first outing and I look forward to seeing what she puts out next.
December 1, 2024
This is historical fiction of 1960-1970’s India. I knew very little about this time period- post-independence, the country is plagued with vast class differences. The poorer people suffering in cities run by feudal lords. There are riots and violence from communists factions working to bring down the rich ruling families. The writing is beautiful and very detailed. The story is told through two families and a forbidden romance. While this is beautiful writing- the subject matter is heavy and it was not a fast read.
September 19, 2025
More like 500⭐️
This book is easily in my top 3 of books i‘ve read this year and i want to thank my past self for picking it up in a Hugendubel in Frankfurt bc this was a MASTERPIECE!!!
The characters, the story, the imagery the author painted with her storytelling - everything was magical, heartbreaking and deeply touching.
@ my friends: READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
This book is easily in my top 3 of books i‘ve read this year and i want to thank my past self for picking it up in a Hugendubel in Frankfurt bc this was a MASTERPIECE!!!
The characters, the story, the imagery the author painted with her storytelling - everything was magical, heartbreaking and deeply touching.
@ my friends: READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!
January 14, 2025
The imagery in this book is so rich and the narrative is so emotionally intense that I was quite surprised to learn that this was the author’s debut. What a triumph! Utterly breathtaking.
March 25, 2025
While there were a few plot points that seemed to be glazed over or not explored as fully as I would have liked, this was overall a really lovely book that will probably be a contender for one of my favorites this year.
April 22, 2025
Beautifully written, engaging and complex characters. Also painful and heartbreaking.
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