Cracking India

The inspiration for Deepa Mehta’s 1998 film Earth, this historical novel tells the story of a Parsee girl growing up in Lahore, against the hellish backdrop of partition of the Indian subcontinent. Through her young eyes, we experience violence, betrayal, and the shattering of intercommunal friendships. With identifiable characters and disillusioning twists, the book forces readers to question how they would behave in similar situations.

It was when I saw Depak Meta's film, Earth, based on this book, that I recalled how powerful this story was. Told from the viewpoint of a young girl who is trying to understand what is happening to her life and to others around her when India becomes free from British rule, breaks into two countries and suffers. A cautionary story of what colonialism and hegemony do to innocent people caught up in economic systems not of their making.

A moving story illustrating the changes brought about by irrational hatred and how the potential for evil exists in apparently good people. Bapsi Sidhwa also manages to maintain a balanced approach while detailing the atrocities committed at the time of Partition.

The historical setting is difficult but compelling. The story is intriguing and the writing is competent. But there's an emotional flatness regardless of the drama and trauma depicted. I found the pace and rhythm so-so. Lastly, I wish a literary element, a style, could have been more present.

Time of partition between India and Pakistan, seen through the eyes of a little girl, a member of a Parsi family.
Perceptively written (author now lives and teaches in Lahore, Pakistan), but not really believable that this 8 year old understands as well what is going on. However, it is both interestingf and well written otherwise.

This tells the upsetting story of what happened to ordinary people when India and Pakistan were split into two countries with two religious identities.

I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could. It is incredibly moving.