Sojourn: A novel

by Usha K.R.

Sojourn related the story of Neeraja, a determinedly cosmopolitan woman, who is forced to move into a small town for a brief period. Even as she tries to make her life significant in her temporary home, Neeraja finds herself grappling with Amrutapura - with its casually bigamous landlords, its Mahila Mandali and its pigs.

Genres: India

181 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usha KR is by now one of my favorite authors. Almost unfailingly, she draws me in to the world she creates. A world that is all too familiar to someone like me who has grown up in Karnataka. In ‘Sojourn,’ Usha takes us on a journey to a fictional town but with real-life characters. Was this a coming of age in adulthood novel? Was this transformative? Was this a description of sociological mores? Of small-town life?

I was left with so many questions and that’s the power of a wonderful writer - to leave you seeking questions and not caring about the answers because she has given you something precious with the two hours of your life you gave in return.

[Deepti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town with a fort, lake, and sunflower fields sounds like a wonderful place to live in after the bustle of a growing city, but Neeraja isn't too enthusiastic. Life in a small dusty town is more difficult than she expects, and not as quiet as she fears. She is not one of the townspeople, but when she goes back to the city, she realises she's forgotten how to be a city person. A warm, easy look at how identities are formed in urban India and how different they are from the semi-urban and rural ones.

[Abhaga]

Henceforth, I am no longer assigning a rating to each book.

Sojourn is alright. You can read it but you won't miss much if you don't. Reading it right after "That Long Silence" didn't do it any favors either. I am now realizing how big a factor the previous read book is in deciding your reaction to the current book. More respect to professional book reviewers!

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Enjoyed this gentle story of a cosmopolitan woman transplanted into a small town. Characterisation was especially interesting and found myself simultaneously relating to Neeraja, finding her frustrating, compelling and having sympathy for her.