Book Review : White Blood
Book Name: White Blood
Author: Nanak Singh
Publisher: Hachette India
Genre: Literary & Contemporary Fiction
Format: Paperback
Print length: 251 pages
Rating: 5/5
White Blood by Nanak is a novel translated from Punjabi by Dilraj Singh Suri. It is an epic literary work that paved the path for Punjabi authenticity.
Blurb on Amazon
A lyrical, luminous offering from the pioneer of Punjabi novel writing and Sahitya Akademi‐awardee Nanak Singh
When a ticket officer apprehends a ticketless traveller at the Amritsar Railway Station, he is shocked to discover that the penniless young man in tattered clothes is none other than the widely acclaimed writer Gupteshwar. But even more disconcerting than the state of the author is the story of his new novel, one that lays bare the moral rot besieging twentieth-century Punjab. As the author reads from his unfinished manuscript, it becomes clear that the tale of the two women he is weaving is far from fictional.
With its nested narratives, rich prose and fascinating depiction of quotidian life, Nanak Singh's pivotal novel paints an unsparing portrait of a society infected with corruption, casteism and appalling inequality, where those who position themselves as guardians of morality are the ones most willing to abuse their power.
Review
White Blood offers a valuable account of Punjabi literature and society. In the book, the author fearlessly put forth the social issues prevailing in the early 20th-century Punjab.
The plot blends with twists and turns in a two-layered nested narrative. The story begins with the meeting of a ticket collector and a man with a poor appearance who boarded a train without a ticket. In the beginning, the readers would make false guesses that it would be similar to other stories where passengers with tickets would pay hefty amounts to get rid of the punishment. However, the author of this book offers a fresh and surprising perspective, providing readers with an outlook of early 20th century Punjab with an intense plotline highlighting social issues, including corruption, casteism, inequality, and hypocrisy.
The portrayal of various characters is in detail. From depicting their character sketch to their habits, the author did not leave any stone unturned while writing this book. Readers would enjoy knowing about different characters, as they would relate with diverse characters, like Bachan Singh, a man of morals and discipline who did not deter from the right path even after multiple harassments from society.
The author's writing style is phenomenal and captivating. The way he expressed women's characters and emotions would make readers feel the pain, disguise, and exploitation that women faced in that era. The irony and satire being the main elements of the book would allow readers to digest the seriousness and subjectivity of the story.
This story will stay with the readers long after they finish reading this book as with this book, the author expresses a deep message of education being the key to all problems and can become a weapon to kill the social issues and brutality that certain portions of the community can cause.
Some quotes that would leave a long-lasting impression on readers:
But there's no stopping a broken vessel from leaking, no matter how much you repair it.
Blood cannot be washed away with blood.
You seem trapped in your own words when you write about how a mountain will not break by hitting your head against it.
The overall experience of reading this book is captivating and emotional, letting readers understand how education can become a potent weapon at times of injustice in the name of community conventions. I would highly recommend this book to all book nerds.
Buy it from Amazon - White Blood
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