My Review
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased, honest review – and I’m glad, because it was an enjoyable read. Or maybe I should rather say, a thought-provoking read.
In an interesting mix of non-fiction and fiction woven together, “The Brown Sahebs” by Anupam Srivastava is unlike any book I’ve ever read. It has a bit of everything, like many pieces to a grand puzzle that will only reveal itself when you have finished and lean back to savour it in its entirety. History, politics, socio-critical analyses, a dash of romance with a clever love triangle, economics, religion and philosophy all make an appearance. Sometimes it is almost a bit too much to take in. I certainly didn’t breeze through the book the way I often do it, but the ‘effort was worth it, for each chapter held hidden delights. I like the way the father-son dynamics between the Raja of Teekra and his son Pratap were handled, and the way Pratap, Malati and Kavita were thrown together was a masterful stroke too.
I am by no means an expert on India’s history, though I know enough about Gandhi – who also makes an appearance – and the British Raj followed by the pre- and post-Independence struggle to understand the value of this novel. I have to say this is exactly where the strongest and weakest point of the book lies: In the unapologetic and complex way it handles the broad subject, assuming the readers know enough to not lose their way and to enjoy every detail. I’m sure I missed quite some subtleties, and I am left with a few questions, but I like it when a story makes me think. The characters were well-fleshed out, especially Vidhya Babu the freedom fighter.
Overall, I appreciate the clean, neat style and language of the novel and that it seems jam-packed with knowledge. The prologue and first chapters had me hooked and I never lost interest in the story. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in India’s past, stories with historical flair and sharp-brained insights into the human mind, and books that involve well-known personalities. It is no easy read, but a commendable feat from the author’s side.
Rating: 4/5
In an interesting mix of non-fiction and fiction woven together, “The Brown Sahebs” by Anupam Srivastava is unlike any book I’ve ever read. It has a bit of everything, like many pieces to a grand puzzle that will only reveal itself when you have finished and lean back to savour it in its entirety. History, politics, socio-critical analyses, a dash of romance with a clever love triangle, economics, religion and philosophy all make an appearance. Sometimes it is almost a bit too much to take in. I certainly didn’t breeze through the book the way I often do it, but the ‘effort was worth it, for each chapter held hidden delights. I like the way the father-son dynamics between the Raja of Teekra and his son Pratap were handled, and the way Pratap, Malati and Kavita were thrown together was a masterful stroke too.
I am by no means an expert on India’s history, though I know enough about Gandhi – who also makes an appearance – and the British Raj followed by the pre- and post-Independence struggle to understand the value of this novel. I have to say this is exactly where the strongest and weakest point of the book lies: In the unapologetic and complex way it handles the broad subject, assuming the readers know enough to not lose their way and to enjoy every detail. I’m sure I missed quite some subtleties, and I am left with a few questions, but I like it when a story makes me think. The characters were well-fleshed out, especially Vidhya Babu the freedom fighter.
Overall, I appreciate the clean, neat style and language of the novel and that it seems jam-packed with knowledge. The prologue and first chapters had me hooked and I never lost interest in the story. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in India’s past, stories with historical flair and sharp-brained insights into the human mind, and books that involve well-known personalities. It is no easy read, but a commendable feat from the author’s side.
Rating: 4/5
Spotlight
THE BROWN SAHEBS
BY
ANUPAM SRIVASTAVA
Blurb
The Raja of Teekra, a dusty and forgotten kingdom near Lucknow, gets lucky when the British Resident visits him but also brings with him a leading revolutionary. The Raja enters India's struggle for freedom and is rewarded with a berth in the cabinet of free India. He is shocked to see the ministers and officers living and operating like their imperial masters but is suitably rewarded for his silence. As he begins to enjoy the good life of Lutyens' Delhi, the British capital which India's freedom fighters abhorred, he faces only one adversary in his plans—his journalist son Pratap. A novel that will blow you away with its depiction of love, passion, intrigue and betrayal.
Buy @
|amazon. com | amazon.in | amazon.co.uk | Flipkart |
About the Author
Anupam Srivastava was born in Lucknow, India, where his novel, The Brown Saheb's first part is set. However, he never lived there as his father and mother, Ashok and Veena Srivastava, lived in different parts of India. However, Anupam spent some of his childhood and most of his vacations in Lucknow where he flew kites and learnt about the craft of pigeon-flying. He went to a boarding school near Delhi, the Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai, where he played cricket but earned his college colours at St Stephen's College, Delhi, in cross-country running. He studied English literature (BA Hons and MA), won the college annual poetry prize while pursuing his MA, and being sure his vocation was writing and journalism, became a journalist with The Times of India in 1993. In 1999, he was awarded the British Chevening scholarship by the British government.
In 1999, he left journalism to work with the United Nations Population Fund in India in communications. Subsequently, Anupam worked with Oxfam India Society, Unicef and other development agencies. The Brown Sahebs is his first novel and tells the story of India not taking off its colonial clothing even as it became a democracy.
Anupam is married to Radhika Srivastava, and they have two children who figure in his children's novel, A Family Secret.
Stalk Him @
Check out The Book Club Tour Schedule
Follow him +Pinterest
Follow The Book 's board The Brown Sahebs by Anupam Srivastava on Pinterest.
Take part in the Rafflecopter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Tour is Hosted by
.png)
We Promote So That You Can Write
Follow The Book 's board The Brown Sahebs by Anupam Srivastava on Pinterest.
Take part in the Rafflecopter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | | Linkedin
RSS Feed