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फुलाङ्गे [Phulange]
सत्ता र शक्तिबीच दबाइएको सपनाको कथा हो - 'फुलाङ्गे' । यसका चरित्रहरू सत्ताले निर्माण गरेका कठपुतलीहरु हुन् । दार्जीलिङलाई कठपुतली हुन कसले अभिशप्त पार्यो ? यसको उत्तर लेखकले उपन्यासमा सरल पात्रका खतरनाक चरित्र वरिपरी खोज्ने प्रयास गरेका छन् । ऐतिहासिक संघर्षका भुइप्वाल देखाउने यो आख्यान दार्जीलिङको संघर्षको दस्तावेजको साथै गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलनको समाजशास्त्रीय अध्ययन पनि हो ।
- GenresFiction
191 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 16, 2023
4.5/5
"Fruits of the Barren Tree" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that immerses readers in the turbulent era of the late 1980s, against the backdrop of the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The story unfolds in the picturesque village of Relling, nestled near Darjeeling, where the conflict between the Green Party and the Red Party escalates, leaving a trail of violence and unrest in the Himalayan foothills.
At the heart of the narrative are compelling characters who bring depth and authenticity to the story. Basnet, the village shaman, and his wife, alongside their son Jhuppay, form a complex dynamic within the community. Jhuppay, a rebellious and wayward individual, finds himself entangled in love with Nimma, who strives to guide him toward a virtuous path. As fate would have it, a seemingly innocent job opportunity involving a loudspeaker for the Red Party sets in motion a chain of events that spirals out of control, defying the course of destiny itself.
The author masterfully portrays the failed Gorkhaland movement, highlighting its repercussions on a community and serving as a cautionary tale of how violence can permeate even the most peaceful aspirations. The writing style is engaging and evocative, transporting readers to the landscape of Darjeeling and its surrounding areas. The narrative gradually unfolds, building intrigue and anticipation, leading to a poignant and well-executed climax.
"Fruits of the Barren Tree" serves as an eye-opening introduction to Nepali literature, showcasing the talent and storytelling capabilities of the author. The book's educational narrative offers insights into the lives of individuals embroiled in a political battle, while the vivid portrayal of Darjeeling brings the setting to life. It is a book that resonates long after the final page is turned, leaving readers with a greater understanding of the human experience amidst chaotic times.
"Fruits of the Barren Tree" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that immerses readers in the turbulent era of the late 1980s, against the backdrop of the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The story unfolds in the picturesque village of Relling, nestled near Darjeeling, where the conflict between the Green Party and the Red Party escalates, leaving a trail of violence and unrest in the Himalayan foothills.
At the heart of the narrative are compelling characters who bring depth and authenticity to the story. Basnet, the village shaman, and his wife, alongside their son Jhuppay, form a complex dynamic within the community. Jhuppay, a rebellious and wayward individual, finds himself entangled in love with Nimma, who strives to guide him toward a virtuous path. As fate would have it, a seemingly innocent job opportunity involving a loudspeaker for the Red Party sets in motion a chain of events that spirals out of control, defying the course of destiny itself.
The author masterfully portrays the failed Gorkhaland movement, highlighting its repercussions on a community and serving as a cautionary tale of how violence can permeate even the most peaceful aspirations. The writing style is engaging and evocative, transporting readers to the landscape of Darjeeling and its surrounding areas. The narrative gradually unfolds, building intrigue and anticipation, leading to a poignant and well-executed climax.
"Fruits of the Barren Tree" serves as an eye-opening introduction to Nepali literature, showcasing the talent and storytelling capabilities of the author. The book's educational narrative offers insights into the lives of individuals embroiled in a political battle, while the vivid portrayal of Darjeeling brings the setting to life. It is a book that resonates long after the final page is turned, leaving readers with a greater understanding of the human experience amidst chaotic times.
June 30, 2023
~ A movement that bore no fruit but sacrificed a lot ~
If anyone says Darjeeling, the picture that comes to my mind is of luscious green tea gardens, a land coddled between clouds and mountains. Everything is peaceful and heavenly. But the Darjeeling this book portrays is not cut out from the same picture in my head. In late 1980's, Darjeeling witnessed a bloody movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland to safeguard the identity of Nepali speaking Indians out of West Bengal. We lost about 1200 lives to that.
Fruits of the Barren Tree, originally written in Nepali by Lekhnath Chhetri as 'Phoolange' and translated into English by Anurag Basnet follows a village shaman Basnet, his wife and their thief son, Jhuppay. Jhuppay falls in love with Nimma and tries to win her heart, the pursuit of which entangles both and a militia commander Chyaatar in a murderous path.
The movement creates a havoc in the village and author writes of how people's lives got impacted and the testing times they are put through with changing loyalties, losing friendships and violence brewing in their homeland. He puts up a mirror for readers to see the countryside and their daily lives without any rose tinted glasses. Through the characters, whether brief or in spotlight, Chhetri has spun a story that will leave a mark.
This book short but mighty. Rich in its telling it shows how politics sometimes overrides on innocent lives.
Author writes in his notes that 'Phoolange' means trees that put out flowers that do not transform into fruits and seeds but waste away and fall off. His father said that he has become a Phoolange, but he says that he is not the only one in Darjeeling. Chhetri writing and Basnet's stellar translation will make you understand the heaviness of that word.
If anyone says Darjeeling, the picture that comes to my mind is of luscious green tea gardens, a land coddled between clouds and mountains. Everything is peaceful and heavenly. But the Darjeeling this book portrays is not cut out from the same picture in my head. In late 1980's, Darjeeling witnessed a bloody movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland to safeguard the identity of Nepali speaking Indians out of West Bengal. We lost about 1200 lives to that.
Fruits of the Barren Tree, originally written in Nepali by Lekhnath Chhetri as 'Phoolange' and translated into English by Anurag Basnet follows a village shaman Basnet, his wife and their thief son, Jhuppay. Jhuppay falls in love with Nimma and tries to win her heart, the pursuit of which entangles both and a militia commander Chyaatar in a murderous path.
The movement creates a havoc in the village and author writes of how people's lives got impacted and the testing times they are put through with changing loyalties, losing friendships and violence brewing in their homeland. He puts up a mirror for readers to see the countryside and their daily lives without any rose tinted glasses. Through the characters, whether brief or in spotlight, Chhetri has spun a story that will leave a mark.
This book short but mighty. Rich in its telling it shows how politics sometimes overrides on innocent lives.
Author writes in his notes that 'Phoolange' means trees that put out flowers that do not transform into fruits and seeds but waste away and fall off. His father said that he has become a Phoolange, but he says that he is not the only one in Darjeeling. Chhetri writing and Basnet's stellar translation will make you understand the heaviness of that word.
September 14, 2023
3.5 rounded up
The folklore-esque story i often fell asleep to
The folklore-esque story i often fell asleep to
July 27, 2023
Faatsung and Fulangey are two popular modern Nepali novels based on the 1986 Gorkhaland movement. Faatsung was translated by Rachna Books last year; it was not only critically acclaimed, it was nominated for a prestigious award, too. So when I recently discovered that even Fulangey was being translated into English, that also by none other than senior editor, Anurag Basnet, I was really looking forward to it. I picked up a copy from Rachna Books a couple of months back and started reading it.
Fruits of the Barren Tree is primarily focused on the lives of a few characters in Relling, a village near Darjeeling—Basnet, the village shaman; his wife; Jhuppay, their truant son; his love, Nimma; and Chyaatar, the military commander of the Green Party that's always fighting with the Red Party as the Gorkhaland movement is raging in the background. The story is about how a particular incident (involving a speaker borrowed for an event) affects the lives of Jhuppay and the other main characters.
The story begins with a glimpse of the future—where Old Man Basnet has passed away—and then moves to the past. Basnet's past is narrated well, and Chettri's impressive, vivid descriptions bring to life the village, the culture and traditions of those times, and Basnet's struggle to establish himself as a farmer after he abandons his shaman profession abruptly and moves to a different village with his newly wedded wife. Then, Jhuppay and his budding romance with Nimma is also well written.
The Gorkhaland movement and the skirmishes between the Red Party and the Green Party come next. The events feel a bit abrupt sometimes, and for a while, it is difficult to understand where the book is heading. Then, the event that changes the course of the book transpires, and Chyaatar comes into the picture. Thereafter, the path of the book becomes a bit clearer. A few twists and turns occur before the story comes to a close.
The characters are nice, but I wish they had more depth to them. Chettri tends to focus more on the village and the fights between the parties, thus setting the main characters aside. We do not get to hear their thoughts or their feelings; we only get the distant, omniscient narrative, which dilutes our attachment to the characters.
Several secondary characters are introduced at different stages of the story, who disappear after a page or two. They have virtually no impact on the overall story, and to be frank, kind of distract the readers from the main storyline. Moreover, a few characters like Mantay, his wife, ACP Honda, and Jamansingh are introduced in the last twenty pages of the book. So when something happens to them, the reader is left with nothing but a light, superficial feeling, mostly because of the lack of time with them.
The last few pages are thought-provoking and well-written, and they left a mark on me. The plot makes sense then, apart from one thing which could have been explained better: why Chyaatar betrays Jhuppay. It was a pivotal plot point, and it perhaps needed more explanation. Or maybe I missed something on the way.
The descriptions, as mentioned earlier, are exceptional and vivid; they are, undeniably, the best aspect of Chettri's writing. The language is also lucid, peppered with good wordplay and figures of speech at appropriate places. The translation is also tender and immaculate, but the typical Nepali narrative style of asking questions (e.g. Jhuppay fled, but where did he go?) is retained in certain places, making the sentences a bit clunky at times. Also, towards the end of the book, I did notice a couple of typos, but they are extremely minor and can be easily ignored.
Despite the minor critical observations, Chettri must be applauded for writing this book, which is a unique perspective on the Gorkhaland movement from the eyes of some real, relatable characters belonging to a village in Darjeeling and their helplessness in the face of the movement. It would have been better if the characters were written a bit more intimately, yet, despite that, Fruits of the Barren Tree is definitely worth a read.
3.8 stars from my side.
Fruits of the Barren Tree is primarily focused on the lives of a few characters in Relling, a village near Darjeeling—Basnet, the village shaman; his wife; Jhuppay, their truant son; his love, Nimma; and Chyaatar, the military commander of the Green Party that's always fighting with the Red Party as the Gorkhaland movement is raging in the background. The story is about how a particular incident (involving a speaker borrowed for an event) affects the lives of Jhuppay and the other main characters.
The story begins with a glimpse of the future—where Old Man Basnet has passed away—and then moves to the past. Basnet's past is narrated well, and Chettri's impressive, vivid descriptions bring to life the village, the culture and traditions of those times, and Basnet's struggle to establish himself as a farmer after he abandons his shaman profession abruptly and moves to a different village with his newly wedded wife. Then, Jhuppay and his budding romance with Nimma is also well written.
The Gorkhaland movement and the skirmishes between the Red Party and the Green Party come next. The events feel a bit abrupt sometimes, and for a while, it is difficult to understand where the book is heading. Then, the event that changes the course of the book transpires, and Chyaatar comes into the picture. Thereafter, the path of the book becomes a bit clearer. A few twists and turns occur before the story comes to a close.
The characters are nice, but I wish they had more depth to them. Chettri tends to focus more on the village and the fights between the parties, thus setting the main characters aside. We do not get to hear their thoughts or their feelings; we only get the distant, omniscient narrative, which dilutes our attachment to the characters.
Several secondary characters are introduced at different stages of the story, who disappear after a page or two. They have virtually no impact on the overall story, and to be frank, kind of distract the readers from the main storyline. Moreover, a few characters like Mantay, his wife, ACP Honda, and Jamansingh are introduced in the last twenty pages of the book. So when something happens to them, the reader is left with nothing but a light, superficial feeling, mostly because of the lack of time with them.
The last few pages are thought-provoking and well-written, and they left a mark on me. The plot makes sense then, apart from one thing which could have been explained better: why Chyaatar betrays Jhuppay. It was a pivotal plot point, and it perhaps needed more explanation. Or maybe I missed something on the way.
The descriptions, as mentioned earlier, are exceptional and vivid; they are, undeniably, the best aspect of Chettri's writing. The language is also lucid, peppered with good wordplay and figures of speech at appropriate places. The translation is also tender and immaculate, but the typical Nepali narrative style of asking questions (e.g. Jhuppay fled, but where did he go?) is retained in certain places, making the sentences a bit clunky at times. Also, towards the end of the book, I did notice a couple of typos, but they are extremely minor and can be easily ignored.
Despite the minor critical observations, Chettri must be applauded for writing this book, which is a unique perspective on the Gorkhaland movement from the eyes of some real, relatable characters belonging to a village in Darjeeling and their helplessness in the face of the movement. It would have been better if the characters were written a bit more intimately, yet, despite that, Fruits of the Barren Tree is definitely worth a read.
3.8 stars from my side.
July 10, 2023
This is my second book based on the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling after 'Song of the Soil', and Phoolange literally translates to 'those who scatter flowers', indicating the peaceful nature of the movement. But according to the author, it also means 'flowers from a tree that don't transform into anything and get wasted away', indicating the result of the Gorkhaland movement.
Set in the 1980s in the village of Relling in Darjeeling, this story focuses on the battle between the Green Party (the GNLF) and the red party (the communist party) in establishing a separate state of Gorkhaland. Contrary to the title, this battle doesn't seem peaceful and looks to have caused chaos and trouble.
The old couple Basnet and Aamai Basneti lead a simple life like other Relling villagers amidst the shambles. Their son, Jhuppay, was anything but a peacemaker. He is love-stricken with Nimma, his childhood friend who tries her best to straighten Jhuppay and turn him into an ideal man. Buying a mic set for starting his own business was the first nicest thing that Jhuppay ever did in his entire life. But he and his parents did not expect it to become a snowball of troubles for all.
Jhuppay was soon accused of using his mic set for anti-jaati activities by the Green Party leader, Chhyatar, who commanded that Jhuppay be beheaded for this crime. To save himself from this unjust and cruel punishment, Jhuppay does the unbelievable for the sake of his life. He and his relationship with Nimma changed forever, and that is what the movement did to everybody's lives in the state of Darjeeling.
This book was so well written, and the characters were beautifully developed. The vivid description of Darjeeling and its surrounding was rich and astounding. The book served its purpose of narrating the lives of common people in the political battle in a simple and educative manner. Though I did not understand where the story was heading until I reached around 100 pages, the latter part was very well written and precise. I look forward to reading more Nepali literature in the future, and this book has laid a strong foundation for the same.
June 26, 2023
Fruits of the Barren Tree, originally written in Nepali by Lekhnath Chhetri and translated by Anurag Basnet, is a powerful and captivating novel that immerses the readers in the tumultuous era of the 1980s battle for Gorkhaland, a separate state in the Himalayan foothills. Set in the small village of Relling in Darjeeling, the book explores the lives of its inhabitants who are torn between the ideologies of the green party and the red party, as violence, murder, arson, and looting plague their community.
The story revolves around Basnet, the village shaman, his wife, and their troubled son Jhuppay, a thief, truant, and mischief-maker. Jhuppay's heart yearns for Nimma, a young woman who wants him to choose the path of virtue, but his repeated attempts to win her heart end in failure. When Chhyatar, the militia commander of the green party and a former army man, enters the story, the lives of these characters become intertwined, setting them on a violent course.
Chhetri's vivid and compelling writing style portrays the profound impact of the ongoing political strife on the villagers' lives. His thought-provoking storytelling shows how the movement shapes their daily lives and changes their relationships with one another. The author expertly portrays the inner demons that politics can awaken within individuals, leading them to turn against their friends and forsake their loyalties.
Through his writing, the author transports readers to the Himalayan foothills, where beauty and brutality coexist amidst stunning landscapes. The book captures the essence of the time period, creating an atmosphere of tension and revealing the internal conflicts faced by the villagers.
Overall, Fruits of the Barren Tree is a thought-provoking and powerful novel that serves as a reminder of the transformative power of politics and how it affects the lives of ordinary people.
The story revolves around Basnet, the village shaman, his wife, and their troubled son Jhuppay, a thief, truant, and mischief-maker. Jhuppay's heart yearns for Nimma, a young woman who wants him to choose the path of virtue, but his repeated attempts to win her heart end in failure. When Chhyatar, the militia commander of the green party and a former army man, enters the story, the lives of these characters become intertwined, setting them on a violent course.
Chhetri's vivid and compelling writing style portrays the profound impact of the ongoing political strife on the villagers' lives. His thought-provoking storytelling shows how the movement shapes their daily lives and changes their relationships with one another. The author expertly portrays the inner demons that politics can awaken within individuals, leading them to turn against their friends and forsake their loyalties.
Through his writing, the author transports readers to the Himalayan foothills, where beauty and brutality coexist amidst stunning landscapes. The book captures the essence of the time period, creating an atmosphere of tension and revealing the internal conflicts faced by the villagers.
Overall, Fruits of the Barren Tree is a thought-provoking and powerful novel that serves as a reminder of the transformative power of politics and how it affects the lives of ordinary people.
June 30, 2025
This book, originally written as 'Phoolange' in Nepali is set against the backdrop of the struggle for the state of Gorkhaland. Though the struggle started with the Nepali speaking population wanting to maintain its identity and ensure the development of the economically neglected mountainous region, it soon reached a point where every person was required to show their support to their "jaati" by pledging allegiance to the "Green Party".
The book follows the story of Jhuppay, the never-do-well son of the village shaman, Nimma, the girl he is in love with and Chyaatar, a retired soldier who is a prominent member of the Green Party. Nobody trusts Jhuppay except Nimma, who while constantly rejecting the gifts he gets for her also believes he can be better than he really is. Things go horribly wrong when Chyaatar betrays Jhuppay and forces him to flee the region, eventually concluding in a chilling climax which nobody could have foreseen.
The book depicts how people are forced to take sides, the dangers of speaking the language of conciliation, and of how personal gains often outweigh ideological ones. The everyday challenges of common people is depicted well in the book, and you get a good sense of what life was like during that turbulent time.
While the book was well written, where the book could have been better was character development. There was also a disconnect between the start of the book (where the village shaman and his wife pass on), and the subsequent chapters which were told as a flashback. The book ended rather abruptly without any further reference to the start of the book.
The endnote by the author, however, made up for that, because it put the entire book in context and rooted it to his own life.
I read the book as a part of #2025indiantranslationreadathon where we will read one book each which was originally written in each of the official languages of India. I bought the book in Midland in June 2023 soon after it was published, but finally read it only now!
The book follows the story of Jhuppay, the never-do-well son of the village shaman, Nimma, the girl he is in love with and Chyaatar, a retired soldier who is a prominent member of the Green Party. Nobody trusts Jhuppay except Nimma, who while constantly rejecting the gifts he gets for her also believes he can be better than he really is. Things go horribly wrong when Chyaatar betrays Jhuppay and forces him to flee the region, eventually concluding in a chilling climax which nobody could have foreseen.
The book depicts how people are forced to take sides, the dangers of speaking the language of conciliation, and of how personal gains often outweigh ideological ones. The everyday challenges of common people is depicted well in the book, and you get a good sense of what life was like during that turbulent time.
While the book was well written, where the book could have been better was character development. There was also a disconnect between the start of the book (where the village shaman and his wife pass on), and the subsequent chapters which were told as a flashback. The book ended rather abruptly without any further reference to the start of the book.
The endnote by the author, however, made up for that, because it put the entire book in context and rooted it to his own life.
I read the book as a part of #2025indiantranslationreadathon where we will read one book each which was originally written in each of the official languages of India. I bought the book in Midland in June 2023 soon after it was published, but finally read it only now!
July 17, 2023
Book: Fruits Of The Barren Tree
Author: Lekhnath Chhetri
Translator: Anurag Basnet
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Vintage Books
Pages: 195
Set in the 1980s in Reeling, a small village in the Darjeeling district, it is the story of Basnet, and his wife - of their courage, longing, and fight against the landowners; Jhuppay - their son who is a thief, truant, amateur but lover of Nimma; Chhyatar - a former army man, now a commander of the Green Party. When Jhuppay's loudspeakers are hired by the Red Party for a meeting, a rage outrageous, and fate turns. A fate that can shake anyone!
Most of us have heard about Darjeeling, but we rarely get to know about the Gorkhaland Movement. And this book came as a much-needed source for it.
The writing is very engaging and was able to shake me completely at times. The characters are deeply moving from start to end. I wished there was more of Nimma and Basnetni-aamai!
The difference between the ideologies and the failure of the movement is shown effectively and the author's note in the end was a gem!
I would have connected more if the characters' psyche and internal thoughts had been there. There is a paragraph in the book in between that I felt came out of nowhere and I would appreciate more light on it.
The translation was commendable and was able to communicate the story to its core. It was my first book from Nepali literature and about the Gorkhaland Movement, and I want to read more of it now.
Detailed review on Blog. Link👇
https://jainandgurjar.home.blog/2023/...
Author: Lekhnath Chhetri
Translator: Anurag Basnet
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Vintage Books
Pages: 195
Set in the 1980s in Reeling, a small village in the Darjeeling district, it is the story of Basnet, and his wife - of their courage, longing, and fight against the landowners; Jhuppay - their son who is a thief, truant, amateur but lover of Nimma; Chhyatar - a former army man, now a commander of the Green Party. When Jhuppay's loudspeakers are hired by the Red Party for a meeting, a rage outrageous, and fate turns. A fate that can shake anyone!
Most of us have heard about Darjeeling, but we rarely get to know about the Gorkhaland Movement. And this book came as a much-needed source for it.
The writing is very engaging and was able to shake me completely at times. The characters are deeply moving from start to end. I wished there was more of Nimma and Basnetni-aamai!
The difference between the ideologies and the failure of the movement is shown effectively and the author's note in the end was a gem!
I would have connected more if the characters' psyche and internal thoughts had been there. There is a paragraph in the book in between that I felt came out of nowhere and I would appreciate more light on it.
The translation was commendable and was able to communicate the story to its core. It was my first book from Nepali literature and about the Gorkhaland Movement, and I want to read more of it now.
Detailed review on Blog. Link👇
https://jainandgurjar.home.blog/2023/...
July 15, 2023
This may have been one of the most evolving books that I have read so far, a book that is going to stay for a long long time in my heart. To begin with, my memories with Darjeeling and its surrounding started with visiting my sister during her school days. And like every big sister she would take me to alleys and different places and show me the quaint town. Reading your book was like talking to an old lover and catching up on each other. "Fruits of the barren tree" takes us to the 1980s tumultuous Darjeeling, sharing the lives of miscreant Jhuppay, his love for Nimmi, and other villagers whose live forever changed due to the conflict between the Green party and the state. What started as a book talking about the lives of hard-working folks turned into a tale of viscous violence, blood-soaked with innocent villagers who found themselves stuck between the state and revolutionaries. Often times, we question about futility of war and revolutions missing out the fact how traumatic it is for villagers who are forced to choose between two, ending up losing their family, neighbours. A revolution that promised to bring change, and shows dreams to dreamers of a bright future, forgot taking the consent of those very people. The state that is bound to protect its citizen failed to remember them and focuses solely on their own needs. It is like a beautiful piece of tapestry where folklore, village life, shamanic rituals, and history are woven in an intricate pattern. The translator did an excellent job to the point that it hardly felt like a translated copy. Rather the way he described the beauty of the hills and egalitarian society of the people delicately. The author and translator together co-conspired in showing me the hidden history of the hills, and its people.
August 17, 2023
Originally published in Nepali as Phoolange.
Are you familiar with the red flag and the green flag? I have heard about the Gorkha regiment and community, but before this book, I didn’t know how Gorkhaland is connected with violence and the separation of states. Darjeeling, which we know as this beautiful place in the arms of nature, has another aspect away from those lush green valleys. Though it was a failed movement, its impact is seen to this day. There’s arson, loot, terror, and murders, in huge amounts.
Amid this, a family of village shamans- Basnet, his wife, and his son Jhuppay; who is known for his mischievous activities and being drunk. Nimma, who is Jhuppay’s great love, is virtuous and honest. Jhuppay finally got a simple job with a loudspeaker for the village.
Things took a violent and sudden turn. This book made me ponder and even scoff at the kind of unawareness I have about the biggest events in our country. I am glad I read this book.
Are you familiar with the red flag and the green flag? I have heard about the Gorkha regiment and community, but before this book, I didn’t know how Gorkhaland is connected with violence and the separation of states. Darjeeling, which we know as this beautiful place in the arms of nature, has another aspect away from those lush green valleys. Though it was a failed movement, its impact is seen to this day. There’s arson, loot, terror, and murders, in huge amounts.
Amid this, a family of village shamans- Basnet, his wife, and his son Jhuppay; who is known for his mischievous activities and being drunk. Nimma, who is Jhuppay’s great love, is virtuous and honest. Jhuppay finally got a simple job with a loudspeaker for the village.
Things took a violent and sudden turn. This book made me ponder and even scoff at the kind of unawareness I have about the biggest events in our country. I am glad I read this book.
May 25, 2025
Set against the backdrop of the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling during 80s, this novel portrays the life of an ordinary man caught between daily hardships, threats from so-called activists, and the looming presence of the police.
While reading, I was reminded of similar stories from Nepal during the Maoist insurgency. Though the places and people differ, the suffering they endure feels strikingly similar.
The author doesn’t delve deeply into the Gorkhaland movement itself, and the story is fairly average. What stood out to me, however, was the writer’s style - it’s the way he tells the story that I truly appreciated.
While reading, I was reminded of similar stories from Nepal during the Maoist insurgency. Though the places and people differ, the suffering they endure feels strikingly similar.
The author doesn’t delve deeply into the Gorkhaland movement itself, and the story is fairly average. What stood out to me, however, was the writer’s style - it’s the way he tells the story that I truly appreciated.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews