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The Roof Beneath Their Feet
This is the story of Chachcho and Lalna and their much talked-about friendship. Chachcho lives with her frigid husband in the Husband in Laburnum House, a cluster of a hundred or more houses that share a common roof. She leads a lonely life until she takes in Lalna, who's been dumped by her husband. Their closeness makes many uncomfortable. Then suddenly one day, Lalna has to leave, to return only after Chachcho's passing. There are rumors and there is gossip in the neighborhood while Chachcho's nephew tries to piece together his memories of the two women, one of whom is his mother. The truth he is searching for could destroy him forever, but to not find out is no longer an option. A beautifully crafted story with many twists and turns, The Roof Beneath Their Feet is easily one of the best contemporary Hindi novels you have read in a long time.
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- GenresFictionIndiaLiterature
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
287 people want to read
About the author
Geetanjali Shree
18 books250 followersGeetanjali Shree गीताजंली क्ष्री (She was known as Geentanjali Pandey, and she took her mother's first name Shree as her last name) (born 1957) is a Hindi novelist and short story writer based in New Delhi, India. She is the author of several short stories and three novels. Mai was short listed for the Crossword Book Award in 2001. She has also written a critical work on Premchand.
Her first story, Bel Patra (1987) was published in the literary magazine Hans and was followed by a collection of short stories Anugoonj (1991)
The English translation of her novel Mai catapulted her into fame. The novel is about three generations of women and the men around them, in a North Indian middle-class family. Mai is translated into Serbian, Korean and German. It has been translated into English by Nita Kumar, who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award for the translation. It has been also translated into Urdu by Bashir Unwan with preface by Intizar Hussain. Furthermore, it has been translated into other languages: into French by Annie Montaut, into German by Reinhold Schein...
Her second novel Hamara Shahar Us Baras set loosely after the incidents of Babri Masjid demolition.
Her first story, Bel Patra (1987) was published in the literary magazine Hans and was followed by a collection of short stories Anugoonj (1991)
The English translation of her novel Mai catapulted her into fame. The novel is about three generations of women and the men around them, in a North Indian middle-class family. Mai is translated into Serbian, Korean and German. It has been translated into English by Nita Kumar, who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award for the translation. It has been also translated into Urdu by Bashir Unwan with preface by Intizar Hussain. Furthermore, it has been translated into other languages: into French by Annie Montaut, into German by Reinhold Schein...
Her second novel Hamara Shahar Us Baras set loosely after the incidents of Babri Masjid demolition.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2022
A captivating story of three people, two women Chachcho and Lalna and a young boy called Bitwa who narrates the first part of the story as a grown man. All three live in a large complex of houses, a ‘mohalla’, connected by what is essentially one big roof where much of the life of the house’s inhabitants take place. All the gossip, the secret meetings and the rumors center around the house as children gather around skylights to spy on those below. After being thrown out by her family Lalna is taken in by Chachcho, the rich, discontented wife of a neglectful husband to the shock of those around them. Lalna almost courts scandal and is the center of all the illicit rumors while to her neighbors, Chachcho remains the innocent wife taken advantage of by this interlocutor.
As the novel begins, Chachho has died and Lalna has returned after a long absence, and we hear and see Bitwa’s resentment and judgement of her in this first part. Bitwa does not know which of these women is his mother, if any, but dearly loves Chacho and is suspicious of Lalna. Lalna narrates the second part, and we get a very different perspective and then the short final part is narrated by an omniscient narrator.
As with the other Geentanjali Shree novels I’ve read, there is a playfulness to the language; walls are personified, the roof itself has a character to it, but there is also a beauty to the writing. Grief is a big part of the book as Bitwa and Lalna both grieve for Chachcho and a large part of the fascination with the narration is how these two characters dance around one another, look back on their past life in the house where they were both vying for Chachcho’s attention. Lalna and Chachcho are from different backgrounds but their simple bond as two young women is a strong one and only when events occur with Om Babu, Chacho’s husband, does this seem to change.
We are left not knowing whose version of events is the true one but as Geetanjali Shree herself says in the conversation she has with Rahul Soni, the translator at the end of the book, ‘there is nothing like a reliable narrator. Or, indeed, even a reliable author’ and the unreliability of the narration fueled by the gossip and rumors of the mohalla are what adds to the joy of the reading experience.
As the novel begins, Chachho has died and Lalna has returned after a long absence, and we hear and see Bitwa’s resentment and judgement of her in this first part. Bitwa does not know which of these women is his mother, if any, but dearly loves Chacho and is suspicious of Lalna. Lalna narrates the second part, and we get a very different perspective and then the short final part is narrated by an omniscient narrator.
As with the other Geentanjali Shree novels I’ve read, there is a playfulness to the language; walls are personified, the roof itself has a character to it, but there is also a beauty to the writing. Grief is a big part of the book as Bitwa and Lalna both grieve for Chachcho and a large part of the fascination with the narration is how these two characters dance around one another, look back on their past life in the house where they were both vying for Chachcho’s attention. Lalna and Chachcho are from different backgrounds but their simple bond as two young women is a strong one and only when events occur with Om Babu, Chacho’s husband, does this seem to change.
We are left not knowing whose version of events is the true one but as Geetanjali Shree herself says in the conversation she has with Rahul Soni, the translator at the end of the book, ‘there is nothing like a reliable narrator. Or, indeed, even a reliable author’ and the unreliability of the narration fueled by the gossip and rumors of the mohalla are what adds to the joy of the reading experience.
September 14, 2022
“She comes back from another world to wipe my tears, the ones in this world remain blind.”
🏡
3 people. 2 gazes. 1 story.
How many times do you think a single story is interpreted & reinterpreted merely to satisfy a person's own taste? And how often is the authenticity left dwindling when the past is accounted & recounted?
“The Roof Beneath Their Feet” by Geetanjali Shree (tr. from Hindi by Rahul Soni)—divided into 3 chapters, centres around 1st POV of our 2 protagonists followed by a 3rd narrative in the closing chapter.
The 1st person narratives in 1st & 2nd chapter shares with its readers a sharp contrasting gaze into the house that holds joys & secrets together.
The house is in mourning with the death of its Lady & in the 1st chapter, we follow through the lamentations of the unnamed son of the household, his childhood & the strong hatred he feels for the lingering ghost of a woman who despite being the only connection to his past leaves a bad taste on his mouth.
In the 2nd chapter we guide through the past through the lens of the woman who deemed 'characterless' by the neighbours might be the only person who has the key to the secrets & truths and not just gossips.
These 2 lenses serve the purpose of highlighting what meets the eye & what stays hidden.
The 1st section deals heavily with the male gaze & the gossips that forms the biases while the 2nd section takes on a much nuanced take on female friendship & bonding and how they are tarnished by the society for their secret gains.
There is a certain playfulness to the writing style & it's this series of known & unknown truths & untruths that keeps you wanting to keep on turning the pages.
The house, the neighborhood & most importantly the Roof of the house are not merely locations in the story; but they are characters of their own.
The roof morphs into a person itself, holding within it secrets of everyone & a safe place. Every Indian knows how important a roof is—a sleeping bed for the summery nights, the most suitable place to dry out your pickles, the best hideout place—but what holds its speciality is—a perfect spot for a rendezvous & birthplace of gossips.
Every gossip births in the roof & it spreads its wings, but only the mother knows for certain the truth. What other know are mere Chinese whispers.
I liked the themes of Indian family, society, secrets & friendship this book deals with but I would say I'm definitely biased towards the 2nd chapter which I loved more than the the 1st.
It's a good once a time read but definitely opens a lot of space for discussions if you opt for a buddy read or pick for your bookclub.
There's a lot to unpack in this short book, especially the social stigmas attached to single women, mothers, wives & female friendships.
What makes me not completely in awe with this read I feel is the translation. I felt the original playfulness of the Hindi language seems to be have lost in the translation & this shortcoming might be on the part that a lot of original words don't find their perfect translated counterparts & being a native Hindi speaker allows you to feel this gap.
If you're looking at exploring some Indian translated literature then you can surely give this a go.
For me, this was an okay-ish read but someday I'm definitely reading the Hindi version “तिरोहित” (Tirohit) (which means Hidden).
🏡
3 people. 2 gazes. 1 story.
How many times do you think a single story is interpreted & reinterpreted merely to satisfy a person's own taste? And how often is the authenticity left dwindling when the past is accounted & recounted?
“The Roof Beneath Their Feet” by Geetanjali Shree (tr. from Hindi by Rahul Soni)—divided into 3 chapters, centres around 1st POV of our 2 protagonists followed by a 3rd narrative in the closing chapter.
The 1st person narratives in 1st & 2nd chapter shares with its readers a sharp contrasting gaze into the house that holds joys & secrets together.
The house is in mourning with the death of its Lady & in the 1st chapter, we follow through the lamentations of the unnamed son of the household, his childhood & the strong hatred he feels for the lingering ghost of a woman who despite being the only connection to his past leaves a bad taste on his mouth.
In the 2nd chapter we guide through the past through the lens of the woman who deemed 'characterless' by the neighbours might be the only person who has the key to the secrets & truths and not just gossips.
These 2 lenses serve the purpose of highlighting what meets the eye & what stays hidden.
The 1st section deals heavily with the male gaze & the gossips that forms the biases while the 2nd section takes on a much nuanced take on female friendship & bonding and how they are tarnished by the society for their secret gains.
There is a certain playfulness to the writing style & it's this series of known & unknown truths & untruths that keeps you wanting to keep on turning the pages.
The house, the neighborhood & most importantly the Roof of the house are not merely locations in the story; but they are characters of their own.
The roof morphs into a person itself, holding within it secrets of everyone & a safe place. Every Indian knows how important a roof is—a sleeping bed for the summery nights, the most suitable place to dry out your pickles, the best hideout place—but what holds its speciality is—a perfect spot for a rendezvous & birthplace of gossips.
Every gossip births in the roof & it spreads its wings, but only the mother knows for certain the truth. What other know are mere Chinese whispers.
I liked the themes of Indian family, society, secrets & friendship this book deals with but I would say I'm definitely biased towards the 2nd chapter which I loved more than the the 1st.
It's a good once a time read but definitely opens a lot of space for discussions if you opt for a buddy read or pick for your bookclub.
There's a lot to unpack in this short book, especially the social stigmas attached to single women, mothers, wives & female friendships.
What makes me not completely in awe with this read I feel is the translation. I felt the original playfulness of the Hindi language seems to be have lost in the translation & this shortcoming might be on the part that a lot of original words don't find their perfect translated counterparts & being a native Hindi speaker allows you to feel this gap.
If you're looking at exploring some Indian translated literature then you can surely give this a go.
For me, this was an okay-ish read but someday I'm definitely reading the Hindi version “तिरोहित” (Tirohit) (which means Hidden).
October 20, 2022
Different than any fiction I've encountered before. Great for bookclub because it requires close reading and a group effort to figure out the plot. Humorous and sad and quite creative.
July 23, 2023
The Roof beneath their Feet" delves into the intricate and nuanced dynamics of friendship between two women, offering a poignant portrayal of the complexities that underlie such relationships. Geetanjali Shree's exploration of their bond goes beyond the conventional portrayal of female friendships, delving into the realities of their lives and the challenges they face in a society that defines their roles and freedoms differently.
The central friendship between Chachcho and Lalna serves as the anchor of the novel, revealing the multifaceted nature of their connection. Despite their different social standings, the women find solace and understanding in each other's company, forming a bond that is both grounded and authentic. Geetanjali Shree beautifully captures the nuances of this friendship, highlighting the mutual support and genuine care they offer one another during difficult times.
The contrasting degrees of freedom the women experience underscore the societal inequalities they navigate. Chachcho, as a married woman, may have certain privileges within the confines of Laburnum House, but this does not necessarily equate to true freedom. Lalna, as an orphan who struggles to fit into the established norms of the neighborhood, faces her own set of challenges. Author's exploration of these varying degrees of freedom adds depth to the characters and highlights the complexities of their individual experiences.
The novel masterfully balances compassion and rivalry in the women's friendship, acknowledging that all relationships encompass a range of emotions. Geetanjali Shree's realistic portrayal of their relationship allows readers to relate to the characters on a profound level.
In the midst of perceived fulfillment and contentment, the novel also delves into the loneliness that can pervade even seemingly complete lives. Author's portrayal of this undercurrent of loneliness adds depth and poignancy to the narrative, reminding readers of the complexities that define human relationships.
The unspoken silences that shape relationships are also skillfully depicted, further enriching the novel's exploration of friendship. These silences often carry profound meaning, encapsulating emotions and unspoken truths that reveal the depth of the characters' connections.
All-in-all ,"The Roof beneath their Feet" is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking novel that offers a realistic portrayal of female friendship and the complexities that define it. Geetanjali Shree's insightful storytelling allows readers to engage deeply with the characters' emotions and experiences, making it a compelling and memorable literary work.
The central friendship between Chachcho and Lalna serves as the anchor of the novel, revealing the multifaceted nature of their connection. Despite their different social standings, the women find solace and understanding in each other's company, forming a bond that is both grounded and authentic. Geetanjali Shree beautifully captures the nuances of this friendship, highlighting the mutual support and genuine care they offer one another during difficult times.
The contrasting degrees of freedom the women experience underscore the societal inequalities they navigate. Chachcho, as a married woman, may have certain privileges within the confines of Laburnum House, but this does not necessarily equate to true freedom. Lalna, as an orphan who struggles to fit into the established norms of the neighborhood, faces her own set of challenges. Author's exploration of these varying degrees of freedom adds depth to the characters and highlights the complexities of their individual experiences.
The novel masterfully balances compassion and rivalry in the women's friendship, acknowledging that all relationships encompass a range of emotions. Geetanjali Shree's realistic portrayal of their relationship allows readers to relate to the characters on a profound level.
In the midst of perceived fulfillment and contentment, the novel also delves into the loneliness that can pervade even seemingly complete lives. Author's portrayal of this undercurrent of loneliness adds depth and poignancy to the narrative, reminding readers of the complexities that define human relationships.
The unspoken silences that shape relationships are also skillfully depicted, further enriching the novel's exploration of friendship. These silences often carry profound meaning, encapsulating emotions and unspoken truths that reveal the depth of the characters' connections.
All-in-all ,"The Roof beneath their Feet" is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking novel that offers a realistic portrayal of female friendship and the complexities that define it. Geetanjali Shree's insightful storytelling allows readers to engage deeply with the characters' emotions and experiences, making it a compelling and memorable literary work.
August 31, 2023
The Roof Beneath Their Feet
Author - Geetanjali Shree
Genre - Novel
Rating 5/5
First, read the title carefully, it's not about roof above our head rather it's about the roof Beneath the feet; it's different. It's actually a story about a roof.
Just like glistening butterflies, memories come to my mind and heart. It pulled me back to my childhood days and filled my heart with nostalgia, almost everyone has a roof like this. the book envelopes smell of sun-soaked roofs, pickles, and full moon night.
This is a story of Roof, Chachcho, Lalna, A boy, and memories. Roofs have a special place; they are meant for wild things, for romance and for play, they are places to dry pickles and grains while exchanging gossip about quiet caresses. But above all, they are realms of freedom. What a beautiful metaphor.
In roof Chachcho and Lalna build a friendship that transcends time and memory. Suddenly one day, Lalna has to leave, to return only after Chachcho's passing. Amidst rumors and gossip in the neighborhood, Chachcho's nephew tries to piece together his memories of the two women, one of whom is his mother. The truth he is searching for could destroy him forever, but to not find out is no longer an option.
This is my third book of Gitanjali Shree's, now I know she has a knack for writing about memories and death, every book starts with a death and then she will fill your heart with smoking memories, she nurtured the tingling effect of echoing past, nostalgia is like a protagonist in her every books. It wet my eyes and the memories throughout the book make me smile; I love her writing style.
Sometimes I feel her books have souls, they breathe.
You can certainly feel that vibe that comes to you.
Her distinguishing writing style; the array she creates on a rooftop with her tingling narrative is like shadows creating patchwork on roof. The book will smear your heart with warm memories.
She always used food as a metaphorical alignment with heart, from their heart to our heart, inflicted innocent pain. I liked this pain.
If you are a lover of emotional rollercoasters read this, it will make you smile and cry at the same time.
She gave me a new perspective to look up at the roof of my house. Now I love my roof more.
Author - Geetanjali Shree
Genre - Novel
Rating 5/5
First, read the title carefully, it's not about roof above our head rather it's about the roof Beneath the feet; it's different. It's actually a story about a roof.
Just like glistening butterflies, memories come to my mind and heart. It pulled me back to my childhood days and filled my heart with nostalgia, almost everyone has a roof like this. the book envelopes smell of sun-soaked roofs, pickles, and full moon night.
This is a story of Roof, Chachcho, Lalna, A boy, and memories. Roofs have a special place; they are meant for wild things, for romance and for play, they are places to dry pickles and grains while exchanging gossip about quiet caresses. But above all, they are realms of freedom. What a beautiful metaphor.
In roof Chachcho and Lalna build a friendship that transcends time and memory. Suddenly one day, Lalna has to leave, to return only after Chachcho's passing. Amidst rumors and gossip in the neighborhood, Chachcho's nephew tries to piece together his memories of the two women, one of whom is his mother. The truth he is searching for could destroy him forever, but to not find out is no longer an option.
This is my third book of Gitanjali Shree's, now I know she has a knack for writing about memories and death, every book starts with a death and then she will fill your heart with smoking memories, she nurtured the tingling effect of echoing past, nostalgia is like a protagonist in her every books. It wet my eyes and the memories throughout the book make me smile; I love her writing style.
Sometimes I feel her books have souls, they breathe.
You can certainly feel that vibe that comes to you.
Her distinguishing writing style; the array she creates on a rooftop with her tingling narrative is like shadows creating patchwork on roof. The book will smear your heart with warm memories.
She always used food as a metaphorical alignment with heart, from their heart to our heart, inflicted innocent pain. I liked this pain.
If you are a lover of emotional rollercoasters read this, it will make you smile and cry at the same time.
She gave me a new perspective to look up at the roof of my house. Now I love my roof more.
September 14, 2023
A house with an interesting roof, two women from two different classes who share some secrets and deaths are the elements of The Roof Beneath Their Feet. Chachcho and Lalna are two remarkable women, where Chachcho is the lady of the house and Lalna comes into her household like an unannounced hurricane without any concrete past.
The story unfolds the chapters of the characters layer after layer after the death of Chachcho. Chachcho and Lalna shared some weird yet strong bond of friendship. It was Lalna's presence which gave wings to the timid Chachcho. There is Bitwa, the shared son of the two and there's a subtle tug-of-war between the two women to win his attention.
Among all the chaos there is a roof which witnesses the shared fun and frolic of Chachcho and Lalna. The midnight chatting, untimely gossiping in the afternoon and more has sprayed vivid colours in the mundane lives of the women. The reader can't miss the shared joy of the wafting smell of parantha and freshly churned butter in the morning and pakoda in the rainy afternoons among these two women.
Written in three POV, the story has three chapters each for the three narratives. The narrators soak themselves in the musings of the past and the changes in the dynamics of relationships, time and surrounding people to create a visual treat.
I would recommend this highly to get a detailed and at times close picture of a small town North Indian household and 'mohalla'/colony of a shared roof through the passage of time. It is like watching an old Hindi movie made in the 70's with the cast of Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil (by jove, I love that era!)
I loved the lyrical writing as it reminded me of Tagore's grace and Proustian romanticism.
Thank you @penguinindia for sending me this beautiful copy, I am going to treasure it forever.
The story unfolds the chapters of the characters layer after layer after the death of Chachcho. Chachcho and Lalna shared some weird yet strong bond of friendship. It was Lalna's presence which gave wings to the timid Chachcho. There is Bitwa, the shared son of the two and there's a subtle tug-of-war between the two women to win his attention.
Among all the chaos there is a roof which witnesses the shared fun and frolic of Chachcho and Lalna. The midnight chatting, untimely gossiping in the afternoon and more has sprayed vivid colours in the mundane lives of the women. The reader can't miss the shared joy of the wafting smell of parantha and freshly churned butter in the morning and pakoda in the rainy afternoons among these two women.
Written in three POV, the story has three chapters each for the three narratives. The narrators soak themselves in the musings of the past and the changes in the dynamics of relationships, time and surrounding people to create a visual treat.
I would recommend this highly to get a detailed and at times close picture of a small town North Indian household and 'mohalla'/colony of a shared roof through the passage of time. It is like watching an old Hindi movie made in the 70's with the cast of Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil (by jove, I love that era!)
I loved the lyrical writing as it reminded me of Tagore's grace and Proustian romanticism.
Thank you @penguinindia for sending me this beautiful copy, I am going to treasure it forever.
April 13, 2023
Wish I could give this book 10 stars. Seriously, it's that good... five points would go to the translator, Rahul Soni who does an excellent job of telling the story in English without losing the essence of the original language (Hindi) in which the book has been written by Geetanjali Shree.
This is the second book that I'm reading by GS. And it's just as nuanced and lovely as Tomb of Sand (which won the Booker Prize) is. Nuanced, emotional, heartwarming, heartbreaking, thoughtful, provocative...I could go on and on.
While the book is about friendship between two women, it's about the complicated relationship that they share. It's the kind of friendship that is grounded and real. A friendship between two women who find themselves in a similar situation - though one (Chacho) is married and has more rights (ostensibly speaking) than the other (Lalna) who is an orphan and doesn't fit into the world of Laburnum House, its residents and the "mohalla" (neighbourhood). It's about degrees of freedom that the women enjoy. They support each other through their tough times and yet the friendship is as much about compassion and caring as it is about competition and rivalry. It's as much about grief and coping with the emptiness that assaults you when a friend leaves. As much as it is about the loneliness of a life that is perceived to be a fulfilled life. It's about the silences in relationships that define these relationships. It's about a zillion things that are woven together in a short book of barely 155-odd pages.
No review can do the book justice...just go and read it!
This is the second book that I'm reading by GS. And it's just as nuanced and lovely as Tomb of Sand (which won the Booker Prize) is. Nuanced, emotional, heartwarming, heartbreaking, thoughtful, provocative...I could go on and on.
While the book is about friendship between two women, it's about the complicated relationship that they share. It's the kind of friendship that is grounded and real. A friendship between two women who find themselves in a similar situation - though one (Chacho) is married and has more rights (ostensibly speaking) than the other (Lalna) who is an orphan and doesn't fit into the world of Laburnum House, its residents and the "mohalla" (neighbourhood). It's about degrees of freedom that the women enjoy. They support each other through their tough times and yet the friendship is as much about compassion and caring as it is about competition and rivalry. It's as much about grief and coping with the emptiness that assaults you when a friend leaves. As much as it is about the loneliness of a life that is perceived to be a fulfilled life. It's about the silences in relationships that define these relationships. It's about a zillion things that are woven together in a short book of barely 155-odd pages.
No review can do the book justice...just go and read it!
April 10, 2023
For ~70% of the book, I felt like there was no story to latch onto and become invested in. The novel is broken into three parts, with a different narrator in each (although the voice/tone is the same across all of them). The first section was narrated by an awful spoiled entitled little man boy prince character. I couldn’t stand him, especially as he got older. The second part was my favorite, narrated by Lalna. Content was interesting (queer relationships in a mohalla, comatose people, unfulfilled love and silence in families), but the style was tiring. Some very nice passages, but on the whole I prefer a narrative that is more coherent. This is the second time I attempted to read this book. The first time, I got 50 pages in and dropped it because it was so unsatisfying. I had to start from the beginning this time as I remembered nothing of the plot/premise from the first time around. Wonder if this novel is similar to/different from Tomb of Sand?
September 29, 2023
Memories of the same events are different for different people. A son and his mother tells the story of their life in the Laburnum house as one uses these memories to envelope himself with a soothing reality and the other aims for unfiltered instances that formed her reality in the house.
The story follows the relationship of Lalna and Chachcho, two women who came from polar opposite lives but have formed a deep bond of friendship. As the reader, their past is muddled between different stories which we pick up gradually through the snippets that show up uncategorically. Their friendship and love envelope the minds of everyone in the mohalla and family as they ostracise it but deeply want to be a part of it.
I was hooked on to this story of all these forms of love that are often unpleasant and filled with envy, yet they stay together, this wonderful female friendship which is marked by it's restrictions.
The story follows the relationship of Lalna and Chachcho, two women who came from polar opposite lives but have formed a deep bond of friendship. As the reader, their past is muddled between different stories which we pick up gradually through the snippets that show up uncategorically. Their friendship and love envelope the minds of everyone in the mohalla and family as they ostracise it but deeply want to be a part of it.
I was hooked on to this story of all these forms of love that are often unpleasant and filled with envy, yet they stay together, this wonderful female friendship which is marked by it's restrictions.
August 28, 2023
'The Roof Beneath Their Feet' intricately weaves the lives of Chachcho, Lalna, and Bitwa within a vibrant 'mohalla.' The story's dual parts follow Bitwa and later, Lalna, unfolding against Laburnum house's roof—a silent witness to community stories. Lalna's arrival disrupts norms, catalyzing Chachcho's enigmatic transformation as their unconventional bond challenges societal expectations. The narrative traces evolving relationships against the changing mohalla backdrop. Geetanjali Shree's skill paints a poignant picture of shifting dynamics and time's passage, offering a reflective exploration of human connections and evolving identities in an ever-changing world.
Read
September 25, 2024Usually I like books with an absent plot, or ones like Roof Beneath their Feet where the same story is told from different POVs, but I felt impatient while reading this. I kept clutching to the small details in the text, which was otherwise abstract, and had too many conversations I couldn't locate. I noticed that Geetanjali Shree is quite fluid in her writing -- images, fragments of conversation, even words transform -- I really enjoyed this in tomb of sand, but could not quite grasp it in this one. Some sections were quite nicely written, enjoyed the the awkwardness between Bitva and Lalna in the first section, and some sections on the friendship between Lalna and Behenji.
July 8, 2022
The translation is a bit chaotic to me. I often feel the real emotions get lost in translation somewhere. Hence, I will read it in Hindi soon. It is definitely not for someone who wants a continuous linkage in the story and gets distracted easily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
2.5 stars
August 22, 2014
This is a story of two women, stuck beneath the harsh scrutiny of the society (which sees what it wants to see) and are able to retain their friendship.
While reading, it felt like I was in someone’s dream. The sentences were loosely woven and present and past intermingled with ease.
A complex storyline was presented in a light, breezy way.
We have seen a ton of stories which features ‘bromance’, but this was one of the very few stories by Indian author that focuses on a strong friendship between two women against all odds.
Read full review here: http://thereandtheir.wordpress.com/20...
While reading, it felt like I was in someone’s dream. The sentences were loosely woven and present and past intermingled with ease.
A complex storyline was presented in a light, breezy way.
We have seen a ton of stories which features ‘bromance’, but this was one of the very few stories by Indian author that focuses on a strong friendship between two women against all odds.
Read full review here: http://thereandtheir.wordpress.com/20...
November 24, 2015
A very different take on human bonding
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews