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Anu #4
Anu: The Tug-of-War Years
Anu's new job began with a baptism of fire.
Although she confronted it with her characteristic optimism and indomitable spirit, the pace was unrelenting. As a result of her own experiences, Anu became a constant source of information and advice to others in similar situations.
Added to professional problems were concerns for her mother and siblings, and the future of her children.
Between the slumps were several peaks, the highest, in Anu's mind, being the successful rearing of her three daughters into independent women. This may not have been possible had she not instilled her faith, courage and sense of adventure in them.
At the age of seventy-four, Anu made a brave decision that would, once again, have a dramatic impact on her life.
But that's another story . . .
Although she confronted it with her characteristic optimism and indomitable spirit, the pace was unrelenting. As a result of her own experiences, Anu became a constant source of information and advice to others in similar situations.
Added to professional problems were concerns for her mother and siblings, and the future of her children.
Between the slumps were several peaks, the highest, in Anu's mind, being the successful rearing of her three daughters into independent women. This may not have been possible had she not instilled her faith, courage and sense of adventure in them.
At the age of seventy-four, Anu made a brave decision that would, once again, have a dramatic impact on her life.
But that's another story . . .
390 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2016
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July 30, 2017
I have been following the fascinating biography of Anu Vasisht, student, mother, teacher and school principal, as told by her daughter Shabnam. In this tale the separated wife has moved to a new area in India and continues to work despite growing political and religious unrest locally and nationally.
The three independent daughters decide that they must be well educated and earning to be self reliant, and each pursue different careers with regard to Indian culture, art and travel. As they leave India, I was pleased to see that Anu gets to visit them in turn, a reward for all the sights she showed them as they were growing up in an Army family. Correspondence becomes her lifeline as she is increasingly alone but for visiting friends, although she is well looked after by 'her boys' a group of students, while her extended family becomes, tragically, more distant. For instance, one good husband and father decides that he has to convert to Hinduism if his children are to get good jobs. We see that greed and bitterness are long lasting and corrupting. Anu experiences many personal triumphs and sees far-flung locations including Ireland, the Middle East, America and dining aboard a US aircraft carrier with her daughter and her husband.
But Ireland, where Shabnam has come to work, is the next destination for this brave and inspirational woman on her retirement, because she sees an India becoming violent and dangerous towards vulnerable women. I particularly enjoyed the travel tales, because the previous books told us so much about India, but the colour photos and descriptions of richly coloured saris and lush gardens show us plenty of the original setting too. I recommend reading the books in order and I understand there is one more to come.
Disclaimer: I have met the author, as Ireland is small, but the book was bought by my husband in the normal way and I was not asked to review. This is an unbiased review.
The three independent daughters decide that they must be well educated and earning to be self reliant, and each pursue different careers with regard to Indian culture, art and travel. As they leave India, I was pleased to see that Anu gets to visit them in turn, a reward for all the sights she showed them as they were growing up in an Army family. Correspondence becomes her lifeline as she is increasingly alone but for visiting friends, although she is well looked after by 'her boys' a group of students, while her extended family becomes, tragically, more distant. For instance, one good husband and father decides that he has to convert to Hinduism if his children are to get good jobs. We see that greed and bitterness are long lasting and corrupting. Anu experiences many personal triumphs and sees far-flung locations including Ireland, the Middle East, America and dining aboard a US aircraft carrier with her daughter and her husband.
But Ireland, where Shabnam has come to work, is the next destination for this brave and inspirational woman on her retirement, because she sees an India becoming violent and dangerous towards vulnerable women. I particularly enjoyed the travel tales, because the previous books told us so much about India, but the colour photos and descriptions of richly coloured saris and lush gardens show us plenty of the original setting too. I recommend reading the books in order and I understand there is one more to come.
Disclaimer: I have met the author, as Ireland is small, but the book was bought by my husband in the normal way and I was not asked to review. This is an unbiased review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review