XANADU BY HARSHITA NANDA - BOOK REVIEW
‘Xanadu’ by Harshita
Nanda does not feel like a first-time novella, so well has the author created a
story line that engrosses the readers and keeps them intrigued.
The characters are
well etched out. Right at the centre is Miss Alice, the beautiful and lively daughter of an
Englishman and an Indian lady, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
However, as life goes on, her luck turns as her father is bedridden, and after
his passing, she is “unable to pick up the strings of her old life”. Love enters
her life for a short period, and then is lost to her, not once, but twice. Yet, she is no Miss Havisham from 'Great Expectations'.
The other central
character is Bhoomi, a little girl who is born to Ram Singh and Shalini, a
couple who had been ostracized for marrying out of caste. When tragedy strikes
and tears the family asunder, Shalini is forced to retrace her steps and go
back into her past, to her parents and her old family, who accept them
grudgingly.
Bhoomi finds solace
in the company of her first-grade teacher, Miss Anita, “the lady with the kind
smile” and Harish, the boisterous son of her gardener, Makhan Lal. She spends
the happiest time of her life with them. Then, yet again, her life turns around,
as she is forced to leave her loved ones behind and move to America with her
mother and her new stepfather.
Do Shalini and Bhoomi
find happiness in their new life? How does Makhan turn his life around? What
happens to his son, Harish? Does Miss Anita salvage her life and find love finally?
These and many other
questions are answered beautifully, as the story dovetails into a finale that warms
the cockles of the heart. Bhoomi needs closure, and she does get it as she goes
back to her old home which has been rebuilt, as a result of a promise to her
mother.
The story moves along
with the changing situations in the lives of the protagonists. Harshita Nanda
has the ability to make the reader feel for her characters. When Xanadu finally
beckons to Bhoomi, the reader is carried along, hoping against hope that there
is a happy ending for her.
A book truly worth savouring!
This post is part of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon.
Hmmm, something to look forward to reading! Nice review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brinda! It is a wonderful book. Do read it.
ReplyDelete