What do you think?
Rate this book
Tutor of History
The Tutor of History is an ambitious social saga, a compelling tale of idealism, love and alienation, set in contemporary Nepal caught between tradition and modernity. The events of the novel unfold against the backdrop of a campaign for parliamentary elections in the bustling roadside town of Khaireni Tar.
At its heart the book is about four main characters: Giridhar Adhikari, the chairman of the People's Party's district committee, who suffers from a serious alcohol addiction and strange, violent manias; Rishi Parajuli, a lonely, under-employed bachelor and disillusioned communist who gives private tuitions in history to disinterested middle-class boys; Om Gurung, a former British Gurkha determined to bring love into every life in his hometown; and Binita Dahal, a reclusive young widow who runs a small tea shop and is careful not to demand of life more than the meagre pleasures it brings her.
As the election campaign reaches its peak, the crisis in each character's life mounts, and the eventual rigging of the elections becomes a metaphor for the flawed, imperfect choices that ordinary people must make to get by in a world beyond their control. significant new voice from the Subcontinent. The first major novel in English to emerge from Nepal.
At its heart the book is about four main characters: Giridhar Adhikari, the chairman of the People's Party's district committee, who suffers from a serious alcohol addiction and strange, violent manias; Rishi Parajuli, a lonely, under-employed bachelor and disillusioned communist who gives private tuitions in history to disinterested middle-class boys; Om Gurung, a former British Gurkha determined to bring love into every life in his hometown; and Binita Dahal, a reclusive young widow who runs a small tea shop and is careful not to demand of life more than the meagre pleasures it brings her.
As the election campaign reaches its peak, the crisis in each character's life mounts, and the eventual rigging of the elections becomes a metaphor for the flawed, imperfect choices that ordinary people must make to get by in a world beyond their control. significant new voice from the Subcontinent. The first major novel in English to emerge from Nepal.
442 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
13 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Manjushree Thapa
23 books95 followersManjushree Thapa is a Nepali writer.
She grew up in Nepal, Canada and the USA. She began to write upon completing her BFA in photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her first book was Mustang Bhot in Fragments (1992). In 2001 she published the novel The Tutor of History, which she had begun as her MFA thesis in the creative writing program at the University of Washington. Her best known book is Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy (2005), published just weeks before the royal coup in Nepal on 1 February 2005. The book was shortlisted for the Lettre Ulysses Award in 2006.[3] After the publication of the book, Thapa left the country to write against the coup. In 2007 she published a short story collection, Tilled Earth. In 2009 she published a biography of a Nepali environmentalist: 'A Boy from Siklis: The Life and Times of Chandra Gurung.' The following year she published a novel, 'Seasons of Flight.' In 2011 she published a nonfiction collection, 'The Lives We Have Lost: Essays and Opinions on Nepal.' She has also written as an op-ed contributor to the New York Times.[4][5]
During the fall and winter of 2011, she was writer-in-residence at Berton House in Dawson City, Yukon.
She grew up in Nepal, Canada and the USA. She began to write upon completing her BFA in photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her first book was Mustang Bhot in Fragments (1992). In 2001 she published the novel The Tutor of History, which she had begun as her MFA thesis in the creative writing program at the University of Washington. Her best known book is Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy (2005), published just weeks before the royal coup in Nepal on 1 February 2005. The book was shortlisted for the Lettre Ulysses Award in 2006.[3] After the publication of the book, Thapa left the country to write against the coup. In 2007 she published a short story collection, Tilled Earth. In 2009 she published a biography of a Nepali environmentalist: 'A Boy from Siklis: The Life and Times of Chandra Gurung.' The following year she published a novel, 'Seasons of Flight.' In 2011 she published a nonfiction collection, 'The Lives We Have Lost: Essays and Opinions on Nepal.' She has also written as an op-ed contributor to the New York Times.[4][5]
During the fall and winter of 2011, she was writer-in-residence at Berton House in Dawson City, Yukon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 12, 2017
Full review at https://booksteaandmorecom.wordpress....
This book is A kaleidoscope of history and life
The book takes place during the late 1990’s in Nepal. The constitutional democracy is new in Nepal and the elected government has collapsed. Amidst all these fresh elections are announced and Khaireni Tar which is a small town near Katmandu and Pokhara is also impacted. Khaireni Tar suddenly sees a cacophony of political activities ensnarl its simplicity. The major parties contesting the elections are Congress, UML (Communist), People party.
As the election activities go on in this small hill town it touches every life in some manner. There is Rishi a confused history tutor who had joined UML but his still confused regarding the communist patronage of his. Binita Dahal a young widow sells tea for a living but certain desires of her come to the fore and became vivid as the election frenzy touches her tea shop.
Giridhar Adhikari chairman of People party has patronaged alcohol and is fighting his own devils. A popular cinema hero wishes to do something for the people this election. A contractor finds a sense of hero worship invoked in him after listening to this cinema hero.
As the elections campaign undergo it reveals a facet of the political games played and the mass reality. But amidst all these, there is an unraveling of the life and history of each character.
The writing is very simple, lucid and crisp. I loved the manner the author has used colloquial words yet has done it in such a way that all can understand. The richness of characters and its description is the strength of the novel. This is one of those perfect novels with a great plot and amazing characterization. Yet I felt that the novel was a little stretched towards the end.
The portrayal of women in society during the late 1990’s is done brilliantly. It shows how at times women themselves are conditioned to such an extent by the society that they seem to accept the roles and regulations meted against them. Yet at the same time how a small change can bring a new lease of life and courage is portrayed well.
This book is A kaleidoscope of history and life
The book takes place during the late 1990’s in Nepal. The constitutional democracy is new in Nepal and the elected government has collapsed. Amidst all these fresh elections are announced and Khaireni Tar which is a small town near Katmandu and Pokhara is also impacted. Khaireni Tar suddenly sees a cacophony of political activities ensnarl its simplicity. The major parties contesting the elections are Congress, UML (Communist), People party.
As the election activities go on in this small hill town it touches every life in some manner. There is Rishi a confused history tutor who had joined UML but his still confused regarding the communist patronage of his. Binita Dahal a young widow sells tea for a living but certain desires of her come to the fore and became vivid as the election frenzy touches her tea shop.
Giridhar Adhikari chairman of People party has patronaged alcohol and is fighting his own devils. A popular cinema hero wishes to do something for the people this election. A contractor finds a sense of hero worship invoked in him after listening to this cinema hero.
As the elections campaign undergo it reveals a facet of the political games played and the mass reality. But amidst all these, there is an unraveling of the life and history of each character.
The writing is very simple, lucid and crisp. I loved the manner the author has used colloquial words yet has done it in such a way that all can understand. The richness of characters and its description is the strength of the novel. This is one of those perfect novels with a great plot and amazing characterization. Yet I felt that the novel was a little stretched towards the end.
The portrayal of women in society during the late 1990’s is done brilliantly. It shows how at times women themselves are conditioned to such an extent by the society that they seem to accept the roles and regulations meted against them. Yet at the same time how a small change can bring a new lease of life and courage is portrayed well.
December 19, 2025
The Tutor of History is slow-going at first, but comes into its own midway. It paints a rich and immersive portrait of a small Nepali town. Although I’m not usually drawn to political novels, Thapa makes politics feelcompelling by grounding it in the lives of ordinary people. The characters are thoughtfully drawn and easy to visualise, and the writing is both elegant and assured. Its exploration of corruption and the fragility of democracy feels strikingly relevant—despite being set in the 1990s, it echoes strongly with Nepal’s more recent political upheavals.
January 16, 2014
I enjoyed this book, although the first half dragged, the ending made up for it. The author does a great job of developing and portraying the characters, capturing some of the nuance of life in Nepal, and ensuring that the plot remains interesting. The most insightful and intriguing aspects, however, were the author's depiction of South Asian politics and, more importantly, the way that she was able to weave human dignity into the story. while the plot is centered on a political election, the story - to me - was really about the way that the characters either found, developed, maintained or lost their dignity.
March 30, 2017
I'm a late come to this author so I'm thankful for the opportunity of caring for my friend's collection of books while she's away. If I didn't have deadlines I would have finished it earlier - I think most important for me was the characters' stories entwined with the political situation. I enjoy her writing style.
November 13, 2020
Both an optimistic and very pessimistic view of democracy in Nepal. So many stories told at once, weaved into a beautiful and sorrowful story of one nation.
December 10, 2019
The book revolves around the lives of people from different backgrounds looking for an opportunity to better their lives in an upcoming Elections. An unemployed post graduate teacher searching for a purpose, a widow looking for her lost dignity in her society, a former superstar looking to revitalize his stardom in the elections, a former banker looking to show his talents and many more. At the end they all want a better life.
February 24, 2022
A bit difficult to read for me as a non native English speaker, and to get a grip on the different characters and the story, which I have done further down the reading. Interesting for the Nepali politics and daily life surrounding elections and politicians. To read to know more about Nepal and local politics.
August 14, 2022
My first book based on Nepal.
Nepal's political part attracted me towards this book. This book shows how Elections affect not only politicians but mostly a common man. I enjoyed each character's interests to gain something from this Election.
But I wanted to read more from Nayan Raj's perspective as well.
Nepal's political part attracted me towards this book. This book shows how Elections affect not only politicians but mostly a common man. I enjoyed each character's interests to gain something from this Election.
But I wanted to read more from Nayan Raj's perspective as well.
February 14, 2024
A long slow look at Nepalese life and politics in a small town near Kathmandu. If it had been distilled to much less length it would have been very good. It is good, but ordinary because of the reieration and repetitive details.
April 20, 2018
An unusual find that I got after a lot of searching. An engaging narrative about life, and politics, in Nepal: one that's instantly familiar but at the same time very distinctive.
March 15, 2020
worth a read.
August 19, 2021
Binita deserves all the love and happiness.
Loved the book.
Loved the book.
September 7, 2021
It has its moments, some bland, some really beautiful. good book. 3.5ish
November 4, 2022
Fucking gorgeous!!!!
April 14, 2019
I would never believe that a book about elections can be SO good. I am from the middle of Europe and it is hard to imagine for me such a different life. The book is indeed very interstingly written.
December 15, 2014
I think it is mild introduction to the politics of Nepal and it tries to touch every surface of election process. I am gonna read her 'Forget Kathmandu' for more insights.
Pick up this book to start understanding Nepali politics. In terms of how election are held, this book describes how it is still practiced on the many part of the country. It is rings true for rural area. I liked how it explains when you have democracy it doesn't bring magically everything. True, people must earn it. It gives perspective of a common politician and perspective of the people on election. People, they don't really care because having basic needs comes before fancy vote. The situation does feels like a vicious circle that we have been running for a very long time.
I liked how author was educating and empowering women. Although, it didn't played a big role in the story. Of course, education, communication plays a big part on the process of democracy. Now, we have technology and internet. This will play a vital role in the process and should change the old way of doing things!
TL;DR- good starter book to understand Nepali politics
June 27, 2007
In Kathmandu with Uncle Giri Manandhar, I asked, "Which author should I read to understand Nepal?" Without hesitation, he named his friend's daughter Manjushree Thapa. Thapa's books have been like a candle in a cave for my "understanding" of Nepal, insofar as anything close to understanding can be achieved with this beautiful but blighted country. I prefer her history to fiction, but respect any author who labours in whatever genre to make room for the stories obscured under the propaganda.
November 4, 2012
Manjushree Thapa's novel is a beautifully written account of family and personal struggle set during a fictitious election campaign in Nepal. Her characters are flawed, failing, trapped and yet full of desire and struggling to work out the possibilities for their own personal liberation within a social and political context that is both deeply conservative and also changing beyond recognition. Simply wonderful and probably the best book I read in 2009.
July 6, 2010
beautiful portrayal of characters and the way she makes you view each character is really praiseworthy..THe characters come out of the book and talk...
May 5, 2017
Provides a unique insight into how politics is practiced in Nepali countryside and more broadly into the functioning of Nepali society. The book reads well as a novel too, even though the story is quite predictable and not really surprising in the end.
bøgernes-verden
October 12, 2018Nepal
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews