McCluskieganj

by Vikas Kumar Jha

'This novel has the same charm as John Steinbeck's Cannery Row. Intensely nostalgic and engrossing.' - Hansda Sowendra Shekhar

Denis McGowan left India for Hong Kong to make his fortune.As the years passed and his printing press prospered, he losttouch with home. But as news of Hong Kong's impendinghandover by Britain to China trickles in, McGowan's stablelife seems suddenly uncertain. And it stirs up his memory,filling him with nostalgic ache for his village in India. That's when young Robin McGowandecides to travel to the village his father speaks of McCluskieganj, an Anglo-Indian agricultural havenfounded in the 1940s in what is now Jharkhand. Only, when he gets there, he finds that the villageis nothing like the idyllic home of his father's childhood.Overrun by outlaws, riddled with politics and controlled by landmafia, this is not the place where the nature-loving tribalshad once peacefully co-existed with the Anglo-Indians whochose India over Britain in 1947. This is a true-to-life portrait of an extraordinary village.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Vikas Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant in depth research into a unique Anglo Indian settlement in the heart of Adivasi belt of Jharkhand. Though claimed as a fictional account, most of the characters in the book have actually lived or are living in McCluskieganj. The book is a fascinating socio-economic-cultural study into the lives of people who settled down year. The translation is very good and while reading you get completely immersed in the lives of its people. An honest account of this settlement which also weaves within the plot the local politics and greed of local leaders. A must read for everyone who is interested in the lives, aspirations and culture of the fast disappearing Anglo Indian community in India.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vikash Kumar Jha weaves a poignant tapestry of history and longing centered on the world’s only Anglo-Indian village. Having lived in this unique pocket of Jharkhand (then Bihar) for a few years, during the early 90s, I found the narrative deeply emotional; it served as a nostalgic bridge back to the misty lanes and colonial charm of my own past.

The book, originally written in Hindi, was translated into English by an English professor. While the translation is scholarly, it is laden with sophisticated vocabulary. For younger readers or those looking to build their lexicon, this is an asset. However, for a reader seeking a fluid narrative, these "speed breakers" often require a dictionary, which occasionally distracted me from the atmospheric storytelling. 

The plot’s strength lies in its historical grounding and character arcs. The first half moves at an average pace, but the story truly finds its heart in the second half when Robin arrives to work. The shift in energy is palpable and wonderful. The most compelling element is Neelmani’s evolution. Her rise in political awareness is masterfully handled, transforming her from a witness to a participant in her community's fate. 

My primary critique is the ending. The tragic demise of Robin and Neelmani’s unresolved fight for her cause feels abrupt. This lack of a "close out" left me slightly disappointed and yearning for more closure. Despite the heavy vocabulary and the bittersweet ending, "McCluskieganj" is a vital read for anyone interested in the fading legacy of the Anglo-Indian community.

It is a soulful, four-star journey that I highly recommend to all readers.

[Alok Alok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historycel moments.