The Expression Hub

Author: Anita Desai

Genre: Non- fiction

” For greed, all nature is too little.”

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The best way to keep your doors of imagination active is to open a book and dig in. So presenting you my latest dig- The Village by the Sea. This book is written by Anita Desai. Anita Desai is a writer who has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times. She is also a professor of Humanities at the prestigious institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

About the book: The book is set in the picturesque location of a seaside village known as Thul. It focuses on the lives of the main characters named Lila and Hari. They belong to a family which is struggling to make its end meet. They have to shoulder the responsibility of their family due to an ailing mother and an alcoholic father. Fed up of the life they are living, Hari decides to try his luck to earn a living in Bombay. While Hari leaves, Lila is left alone to fend off her family. Also there are rumors of a factory coming in the village. This upcoming factory acts as a threat to the villagers as well as the village. This is because their mode of sustenance that is fishing is under danger if the factory comes up. Does the factory come in the village? Does Hari succeed in making a living in Bombay? Does the life of Hari and Lila’s family improve ? Read the book to find out the answers to the questions.

Analysis: The book explores the issues of poverty, environmental degradation and threats to livelihood. It paints a picture of the lives of villagers in a village along with problems faced by them. The most interesting character according to me is that of Lila’s brother Hari. Though he leaves for Bombay yet he finds a way to sustain in the city. He works hard to be a bread winner to his family. Also he does not restrict himself to one skill. He finds a way to expand his skills which proves beneficial to him in the long run. Through his character, the author tries to convey an important message- adaptation according to change in times. Another important message she gives is of not taking Nature for granted . This according to me is the need of the times which we are living in.

Verdict: The book should be given a read at least once. You might feel skeptical about giving it a read by looking at its cover. But once you put your apprehensions aside, you will witness the beauty of the book. The simple language and the beautiful portrayal of the characters and the scenic beauty makes you feel as if you are a part . So do give it a read and tell me about your experiences in the comments section. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Rating: *** stars

” The art of life is a constant readjustments to our surroundings.”

Kakuzo Okakaura

Que: What is the name of the beach house of the De Silvas situated in Thul?

a. Mon Repos

b. Mon Tremblant

c. Mon Cheri

d. Mon Ami