Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

A Novel

Independence

altlovesbooks

”Can you cut up a country as though it were a cake?”

During the tumultuous background of India in 1947, three sisters, each caught up in their own private thoughts and drama, must put it all aside for the sake of family. Friend turns against friend and country turns against country, but the bonds of these three women remain strong. Intelligent Priya, determined to become a doctor like her father, yet still bound by a culture who frowns on it. Beautiful Deepa, following her heart to a marriage that was supposed to bring her and her family success. And pragmatic Jamini, the one always overlooked, who harbors jealousy and fierce love in equal measure. After great change happens within India and threatens the safety of their family and village, differences have to be set aside to protect family.

It took me a bit to get into this one, but I was pretty invested in the safety of the sisters by the end. The writing style was a little choppy in places, and during fast-paced events in the story the short sentences felt almost frantic in their pacing. As the book went on, though, it was easier for me to follow things, I guess because I had gotten used to it by that point.

So, a mostly compelling story during a period of history I don’t know too much about. The writing style took some getting used to, but once I got settled, I mostly enjoyed reading the drama surrounding this family. I don’t agree with some of the choices made by the family (Priya especially), but I can understand them in the larger context of family and personal goals. 

I received a copy of this book free via Goodreads Giveaways.

         At the beginning of each year, reading challenges are released from a variety of sources.  Popsugar tends to be the most popular, but there are a multitude of others.  My online book club decided to do the Popsugar challenge, and the 52 Book Club’s challenge.  One of the challenge in the 52 Book Club’s challenge is: A Book that Sends You Down a Rabbit Hole.  The fun thing about these is they can be interpreted in more than one way…I mean, I’m clearly not going to dive down an actual rabbit hole (though, to be honest, there are a couple of them in my yard).  I’m interpreting this to mean a book that made me want to know more.  This book is the prime example of taking me down the proverbial rabbit hole.  I knew next to nothing about India’s fight for independence (my history knowledge is primarily US and western history prior to the 20th century).  I have a deep desire to know more, so I’ll be seeking out books to help increase my knowledge.  If you know of any, please let me know!

            This book take place during the time period surrounding India’s battle for independence, but it’s more about three sisters and their battles, both singularly and together, as they grow into adulthood.  We start with Priya, torn between her dream of being a doctor and the love of her life; then Deepa, who is described as beautiful but flighty; then we have Jamini, who is the momma’s girl that pines for the man her sister loves.  Priya comes across as the most admirable, Deepa as the girl who falls in with the wrong crowd, and Jamini as the bitter and jealous one.  Was I not supposed to like Jamini?  Because I really didn’t. 

            From the very beginning, Jamini came across as the type who would throw her sister under the bus to get the guy.  Then, when she DID get the guy, through some pretty shady means, she gaslighted her sister about it all.  It left me feeling icky.  I realize this book is about so much more, but my big takeaway was what a horrible human Jamini was.  My heart broke for Deepa.  Many of us know what it’s like to fall for somebody your parents don’t approve of, but it’s not usually due to such profound reasons.  I cheered Priya on, hoping that she wouldn’t derail her efforts to get a medical degree.  But for most of the book, I wanted Jamini to just grow some scruples. 

            Might I have missed the broader picture painted by this story?  Yes.  I will likely do a deep dive into that period of India’s history, and maybe even go back and reread this with a different frame of mind.  In the meantime, I’m going to be glad that my sister didn’t covet the man I happen to love…because that’s just ew. 

Kristen Claiborn

         At the beginning of each year, reading challenges are released from a variety of sources.  Popsugar tends to be the most popular, but there are a multitude of others.  My online book club decided to do the Popsugar challenge, and the 52 Book Club’s challenge.  One of the challenge in the 52 Book Club’s challenge is: A Book that Sends You Down a Rabbit Hole.  The fun thing about these is they can be interpreted in more than one way…I mean, I’m clearly not going to dive down an actual rabbit hole (though, to be honest, there are a couple of them in my yard).  I’m interpreting this to mean a book that made me want to know more.  This book is the prime example of taking me down the proverbial rabbit hole.  I knew next to nothing about India’s fight for independence (my history knowledge is primarily US and western history prior to the 20th century).  I have a deep desire to know more, so I’ll be seeking out books to help increase my knowledge.  If you know of any, please let me know!

            This book take place during the time period surrounding India’s battle for independence, but it’s more about three sisters and their battles, both singularly and together, as they grow into adulthood.  We start with Priya, torn between her dream of being a doctor and the love of her life; then Deepa, who is described as beautiful but flighty; then we have Jamini, who is the momma’s girl that pines for the man her sister loves.  Priya comes across as the most admirable, Deepa as the girl who falls in with the wrong crowd, and Jamini as the bitter and jealous one.  Was I not supposed to like Jamini?  Because I really didn’t. 

            From the very beginning, Jamini came across as the type who would throw her sister under the bus to get the guy.  Then, when she DID get the guy, through some pretty shady means, she gaslighted her sister about it all.  It left me feeling icky.  I realize this book is about so much more, but my big takeaway was what a horrible human Jamini was.  My heart broke for Deepa.  Many of us know what it’s like to fall for somebody your parents don’t approve of, but it’s not usually due to such profound reasons.  I cheered Priya on, hoping that she wouldn’t derail her efforts to get a medical degree.  But for most of the book, I wanted Jamini to just grow some scruples. 

            Might I have missed the broader picture painted by this story?  Yes.  I will likely do a deep dive into that period of India’s history, and maybe even go back and reread this with a different frame of mind.  In the meantime, I’m going to be glad that my sister didn’t covet the man I happen to love…because that’s just ew. 

This has been one of the most heart-wrenching books I've read in a long time. The writing is beautiful and the story is majestic in it's heartbreak and triumphs. 

"How many mysteries are locked within the people we think we know."

Gisela Ayala 

This has been one of the most heart-wrenching books I've read in a long time. The writing is beautiful and the story is majestic in it's heartbreak and triumphs. 

"How many mysteries are locked within the people we think we know."

All the stars.  

Independence A Novel

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