India Was One - Book Review

Title: India Was One

Author: An Indian

Publisher: Create Space

ISBN: 1450543332

Number of Pages: 370

Price: $14.95

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Blurb on the Book:

...Suddenly, he saw something shiny at the bottom of the abyss. He squinted his eyes to see what it was. He ran back to his binoculars and turned them to see what it was. Sharp barbed wires that separated the two mountains came into focus. He had come as far as he could in his country. But she was standing in another country.

He was in South India and she was in North India...

Have you ever imagined India being divided into two countries? What happens to the millions of Indians who are from South India but are now residing in North India? Kaahi and Jai were two such people who got trapped in this situation. Everything was going smoothly for them and suddenly, their world turned upside down.

How will they get together? Will India become one again?

Take an exciting journey with them from their college days in Mumbai to their life in the US and back to India when they find out that India is divided.

My Review:

The story is about five college students, whose friendship blooms with regular meet at canteen during breaks. Of these, Jai and Kaahi fall for each other. They get married once they graduate and the story is about their life in India and abroad, where Jai works for his father's company. All is well until the civil unrest breaks out in India, forcing Jai and Kaahi to separate as they have to travel to their own India, now divided into North India and South India! The story advances about how their life changes with this.

The hangouts and the fun moments with friends was something I liked. The book brings out most of the aspects of India like our reaction during a Indo-Pak cricket match. The narration and the set up during these moments is apt. Also the narration about the feelings of Indians when India is divided and they are forced to separate from their dear ones is also something that touches the readers. The terrorist attack and the brave solider's reaction, gives you goosebumps as it reminds you the terrorist attack on Taj!

Though the story was good, there were certain things I didn't like. Especially the extra details provided in every chapter, like a paragraph on Gujrathis, Tamilians etc was something I didn't think was needed. The pace of the story is slow until the chapter when the news of civil unrest in India. After that the story flows effortlessly and it's hard to put down the book. 

I loved the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The last chapter is something that gives us a lot to ponder on. What does being an Indian really mean? Is it a religion, custom or a state of mind? This chapter is sets us to thinking.

All in all, the book makes a good read. I would recommend it for those who love to read about India, its culture and traditions.

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars!

Until the next review,
Keep Reading :)

Love,
Swathi :)