Shamsuddin’s Grave :The Story of A Homeless by Paromita Goswami is a Literary Fiction. This book talks about the hardships a normal man goes through in order to survive in this money making world. The story of emotions, betrayal, struggles, love, friendship that moves the reader and all these emotions can be felt by him while reading this piece. I got this book as a part of blogtour The Book Club. Let me go into the lines for you guys:
Cover– The white colour cover along with an amazing picture fills the reader with curiosity to know more about it. While analysing, I could say that the cover looked sorted and from reading, it could be said that the story is sorted and to the point too.
Title– The title gives us a rough idea that the book would be related to history as the name Shamsuddin is mentioned. But, all our notions are proved wrong when we start reading the book.
Blurb– Latika’s wrecked personal front leaves her completely shattered. So when her ailing father reveals his desire to go back home, she doesn’t think twice and moves to her hometown. She joins an NGO and comes across a teenager rape victim. Much against her TL, Debjyoti’s wish she sets out to trace the girl with Shamsuddin’s help. Will she succeed or end up in big trouble?
Shamsuddin, a daily labourer, somehow manages to thrive in the city. Meanwhile, flood devastates his house in the village. His family takes refuge in a relative’s place where his wife has a tough time resisting to the advances of her brother-in-law. Can Shamsuddin arrange for an accommodation before it is too late?
Set in Guwahati amid the backdrop of flood and ethnic turmoil,”Shamsuddin’s Grave”, is the story of migration towards big cities for a better life.
Plot– The plot of the story is well knit and the story revolves around Shamsuddin’s Journey from his birth to his death and his struggle of surviving in the society is being delineated. Further, it also talks about Latika and Snehlata’s life, who are the two most significant women protagonists in this novel.
Themes– There are variety of themes in this novel and it makes the reader love the book more. HUman trafficking is one of the significant theme of this novel. This novel highlights those stigmas that actually affect a person deeply. In these book, this concept is highlighted and a girl is shown as the victim of such injustice where she is molested and later on trafficked.
Poverty is another theme that is focussed. Shamsuddin is the victim of poverty who has to leave his family in search of job where he works hard but ends uo ruining his family.
Family breakups is another one where Shamsuddin’s family is broken when he comes to know about Amina’s marriage. Further, LAtika and her husband’s breakup is also showcased.
Religion is also one of the theme where we come across Muslims who are ill treated and some of the people of different community are considered to be living illegally.
Illicit relations is one such theme which is not that important but can’t be ignored at the same time. Shamsuddin’s relation with Geeta and Amina’s relation with her brother in law are being shown in the novel.
Characterisation– Usually an author selects his protagonist as a strong one who is financially stable or of middle class stature but Paromita seems to be exceptional in her choice of protagonist. She picked up a nobody from a lower strata who could hardly earn his bread and butter. Shamsuddin’s life is a struggle and trust me guys, I could feel this struggle.I cried when he cried, I smiled when he smiled, I was hurt when he was hurt. So, yes, this is the magical iteration of the author who put soul to such a character that even the reader could feel those emotions.
Debjyoti’s character was a roller coaster ride for me. I thought he was a professional freak but he came out to be a lover boy and that was not expected. So, it was a surprise element for me. He proved out to be an amazing father for Kuki and I loved the child’s role.
The woman protagonists are no less. I really loved Latika’s portrayal. The way she carried herself, the calm and composure, that break down was remarkable. Even Snehlata stood out to be a darling character.
I also loved the cameo role of the aunt who lived in Shillong. I could sense her emotions when she lamented for her children. A keen desire to meet her children is all that a mother wanted but died without even hearing a word from them. Maybe, The author wanted to show us this side of life too.
Inspired from Premchand’s Godan– While reading this book, I could co- relate this book from Premchand’s Godan who attempted a style of making a common farmer his protagonist and here we notice Shamsuddin, a common man is the protagonist. When I had a word with the author, she was surprised to know this as she has not read it.
Style– The author has a magical style of writing as it binds the readers to the end and we don’t mind the length of the novel. The narration, descriptions were simply spectacular. Some lines touched my heart and especially the kiddish lines of KUki were icing on the cake. The author chose correct words for the emotions which came out to be fruitful. I would say this book didn’t sound like the first attempt of the author.
As we know ‘Every coin has a flip side’, this book also had one. The names of Shamsuddin and Nayanmoni were mispelled at some places. But we can’t forget the unique things of the book. So, for me this book is like a moon that has few spots, then do we stop admiring the moon? No.. So, give that love to this book also.
About the Author
Paromita Goswami
A nomad at heart and a rebel by choice is the best way to describe her. ParomitaGoswami had always believed in making her own path. She says life is full of stories that are waiting to be told.
Author of Shamsuddin’s Grave, published in 2015, an offbeat social drama based on critical social issue, ParomitaGoswami loves to write about life and relationships. She has written many short stories for online magazines. Her upcoming works are, Grow Up Messy, is a humorous collection of short stories of a mischievous five year old girl. The book is a ride down the childhood days. It was part of blogging challenge, #atozchallenge2016 and second is The Jungle Series, a collection of short stories #paranormal, based on the jungles of Chhattisgarh.
Besides writing she is also the founder of Raipur Little Minds Book Reading Club that has a major objective of developing the book reading habit in children. She is also the founder of Book Studios that makes book trailer, book covers and banners. Making travel documentary is her other passion.
Paromita is married and lives in Raipur with her family including her pet cat and dogs. She loves to connect with her readers and can be easily traced on all social media sites.
Also Read her interview @ http://indshare.com/my-stories-and-characters-are-very-naive-paromita-goswami/
