Cracking India: A Novel

This tragic story is very personal, as told by a young girl, Lenny Sethi (possibly autobiographical?) living in the Punjab region of northwest India during the few years prior to and after the partition of India. History is full of such terrible stories and horrible truths, but Cracking India has a very familial impact, and completely feminine perspective. We are allowed to become part of the extended family that comprises Lenny's young life. There is a comfortable mix of Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Parsees, and Christians prior to the partition, and Bapsi Sidhwa immerses us completely in that unique and unusual world. What a fragile, terrible facade it turned out to be.

Sidhwa does not try to inform us why people are so often so terrible to each other. Is she suggesting that no such understanding is possible? She shows that people live through, but often not beyond, such events. Cracking India is very compelling and unique, completely engaging, and excruciatingly real. I found this story to be completely believable, as the story of a young girl told through her adult perspectives. A completely different world was mine for a brief time in reading Cracking India, and for all its terrors, I am glad I was there. Highest recommendation.

Why did Bapsi Sidhwa change the name of the novel from "Ice Candy Man" to "Cracking India"? Maybe because it is more catchy and sells better. And does the cracking refers to the partition? If so it should have been Cracked India? Or is it a snide reference to separatist movements in India. Anyway its a tasteless title and although I liked the novel I do not like her sales tactics!

A beautifully written novel. Sidhwa's lilting writing style makes one wonder what lies ahead in the novel. It's joyous and captivating, but also chilling at the same time. "Cracking India" is one of those books that you should just read at night time while curled up in your blankets, sipping a latte or coffee. It cozies up the mind and it is absorbing. Because of the way it flows, I thoroughly enjoyed my read.

However, a flaw that I detected was that Sidhwa's book does not have a glossary of terms with English translations of some Indian/Pakistani words and phrases in the book. And also around Chapter 12, the novel starts dragging in redundancy a little bit. It does pick up some speed on Chapter 18, as you approach the climax. Nonetheless, "Cracking India" is still an enjoyable fiction. It is wonderful to witness many occurrences of the splitting of India through Lenny's eyes and experiences. There are, of course, many other goings-on that make the novel even more interesting. I particularly found the story of Ayah (and Hamida too) a haunting example of human betrayal.

What more can be said? I enjoyed the book.

Wrenched from the security of the familiar, a young girl gleans intimate knowledge of the nature of betrayal. As a cosseted child, Lenny's short life is defined by the affection of family, friends and her beloved Ayah. As most children who have the blessing of regularity in their lives and know the indulgence of boredom, Lenny is on an intimate terms with mundane household affairs and neighborhood gossip, her extended family ever available for entertainment and amusing peccadilloes. The family's simple life changes forever with the Partition of India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan for Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs remaining in the state of India. As citizens of the newly formed Pakistan, this family's everyday reality begins to shift with the changing times, threatening to destroy a child's security and trust forever.

In Lahore, a city that has welcomed differences and encouraged variety, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus have mixed without incident. After the Partition, the dangers of alliance permanently stamp the mark of change and entire families begin to disappear overnight. In agonizing stages, Sidwha relates this tragic account through Lenny's eyes. And it is that vision, with glimpses of violence flashing around the periphery, that ultimately alerts Lenny to the shape of the future. The juxtaposition of family life and national chaos outlines an insider's interpretation of daily routine and a whole country spinning out of control. Peopled with eccentric characters and quirky personalities, one of the most romantic and beloved is Lenny's beautiful and desirable Ayah. Ultimately, the abrupt disappearance of that Ayah, who has been kidnapped by nefarious characters, is central to the theme of this carefully wrought tale. All sense of harmony and continuity is abruptly shattered by the miasma of violence that seeps under closed doors at night like a poisonous invisible fog. This book is a stunning reminder of the nature of impermanence, "collateral damage" in the form of a loving Ayah, whose lovely spirit is virtually destroyed along with Lenny's innocence.

I was assigned this book for my english class, and wasn't looking forward to reading it. Although I chose the book myself, I wasn't really sure if I had made the right choice. However, once I started really getting into the book, I discovered that i couldn't put the book down-it was incredibly engaging! It showed me how cruel people could be, and the devastating concequences that came from their cruel actions. I found myself feeling happy when the character was happy, sad when the character was sad..etc..this book really opened my eyes to the world around me. This book is very moving and incredibly sad-it is rather graphic at times though. Nevertheless, this will forever be a favorite of mine and I definately recommend it.