| Author: | Keki N. Daruwalla | ISBN: | 9789386797230 |
| Publisher: | S&S India | Publication: | August 21, 2018 |
| Imprint: | S&S India | Language: | English |
| Author: | Keki N. Daruwalla |
| ISBN: | 9789386797230 |
| Publisher: | S&S India |
| Publication: | August 21, 2018 |
| Imprint: | S&S India |
| Language: | English |
A young Seema discovers a cache of letters and papers in a locker belonging to her deceased mother. Besides chronicling her far-roving life across Canada, USA, Mexico, and India, these offer a glimpse into her private history—her feelings for M, a major leader of the Communist movement in British India and abroad; her commitment to, not only him, but also his cause; and her struggle to keep alive her feelings for him after his disenchantment with Communism.
Even as Seema’s mother grows increasingly cynical about the Communist cause, Seema blossoms into a rebel, voicing her dissent during the Emergency. If her insurgent spirit is curtailed, it is on account of a marriage that cramps her style. All at once, Seema’s story crisscrosses with her mother’s—as both women try making sense of lackluster alliances; as both find comfort in letters.
A deftly woven tale spanning India’s pre- and post-Independence history, Letters to Mamma is, above all, a celebration of words. These are words staining missives; words connecting the contradictory worlds of idealism and reality; and words that remind readers why Keki N. Daruwalla remains one of India’s greatest writers.
A young Seema discovers a cache of letters and papers in a locker belonging to her deceased mother. Besides chronicling her far-roving life across Canada, USA, Mexico, and India, these offer a glimpse into her private history—her feelings for M, a major leader of the Communist movement in British India and abroad; her commitment to, not only him, but also his cause; and her struggle to keep alive her feelings for him after his disenchantment with Communism.
Even as Seema’s mother grows increasingly cynical about the Communist cause, Seema blossoms into a rebel, voicing her dissent during the Emergency. If her insurgent spirit is curtailed, it is on account of a marriage that cramps her style. All at once, Seema’s story crisscrosses with her mother’s—as both women try making sense of lackluster alliances; as both find comfort in letters.
A deftly woven tale spanning India’s pre- and post-Independence history, Letters to Mamma is, above all, a celebration of words. These are words staining missives; words connecting the contradictory worlds of idealism and reality; and words that remind readers why Keki N. Daruwalla remains one of India’s greatest writers.
