BOOK REVIEW: A BOOK WITH CHILLING AND INTENSE NARRATIVE

Chirdeep Malhotra . Updated: 8/26/2018 1:06:13 AM Books and Authors

Book: The tree with a thousand apples Author: Sanchit Gupta






Insurgency In Kashmir, proxy-war initiated by Pakistan, terrorist incursions from the border, the attack of Kalashnikovs over Kashmir’s peace and serenity, the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, and the ripples that all this created in the syncretic and cohesive Kashmiri society has been a favourite plot line for authors, with many fictional accounts written about it. The author Sanchit Gupta comes up with such a book “The tree with a thousand apples”, which is set up during the turbulent years of insurgency in Kashmir and details the repercussions that the Kashmir problem had for the book’s three protagonists.
The storyline follows the lives of the protagonists Safeena Malik, Deewan Bhat and Bilal Ahanagar, three childhood friends who grow up in an atmosphere of peace and amity in Srinagar, Kashmir, until the night of 20 January 1990 changes it all. As the peaceful Kashmir is embroiled in terror and the Kashmiri Pandit exodus ensues, Deewan is forced to flee his home, Safeena’s mother becomes ‘collateral damage’ and Bilal has to embrace a wretched life of poverty and fear. The paradise of Kashmir becomes a battleground and their friendship struggles when fate forces them to choose sides against their will.
Twenty years later, destiny brings them to a crossroads again, when they no longer know what is right and what is wrong. What are the three friends up to? Will they choose to become sinful criminals or pacifist saints? The riveting narrative goes on to explore these aspects of the well- written storyline.
The front cover of the book showcases the predicament in Kashmir very well, and the blurb on the back cover is lyrical and well written. The story begins at a slow pace, with introductions to various characters, and picks up steam only after about 60 pages. The narrative is vivid, with evocative renderings of rustic Chinars and the serene Dal Lake; and also portrays the struggle for ‘Azadi’, the inescapable army checks and the seething and boiling Kashmir realistically and in a layered manner. Given the suspenseful premise of the story, the profound characters and the impressive writing style of the author, the book makes for a gripping read.
The characters are well-sketched and engaging, and the readers will feel for them for the plight that they go through. However, a more panoramic view of the whole situation could’ve been provided, as in the book, there are incidents portraying human rights violations by Army personnel, with not much mention of Human rights violations perpetrated by the terrorists.
This is a book which explores the complexities of the Kashmir problem through its fictional premise and presents the reader with humane characters and a thought-provoking story to ponder about. The narrative is deeply affecting, and is a poignant and gut-wrenching exploration of the sensitive issue of Kashmir; and also of the redeeming power of faith, love and friendship.

Updated On 8/26/2018 12:20:58 PM


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