The Impact of "Independence"

Rania Rafiq

Goodreads

“The year is 1947. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.” A quote by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni sets an accurate tone for her historical fiction novel “Independence.” What I thought would be a quick-pick summer read for me, turned into an all time favorite.

Set during the aftermath of the British colonialism in South Asia, “Independence” follows the lives of three sisters living in the Bengal region of India. Even amidst the growing unrest between Hindus and Muslims in the country, Deepa, Priya, and Jamini grow up in a house full of love from both their parents. All of which seems to come to a direful end when their father dies amongst the country’s conflict. Their mother, now inoculated with grief, finds it hard to even get out of bed, leaving the sisters to find their own ways to keep their home and lives afloat. Faced with multiple conflicts, ranging from money to their love lives, the sisters learn to navigate all of it, all the while watching their country go through one of the most bloodiest geographical conflicts of recent times, the India and Pakistan partition.

This was my first read of a book by Divakaruni, and I can certainly say it won’t be my last. I have found a new form of fondness for historical fiction, and this book only enhanced that love even more. “Independence,” both a heartwarming and heart wrenching piece of literature, leaves its readers with multiple emotions and a new perspective on history. This book paints a picture of the rich history, culture, and personal journeys during the period of British colonialism and the partition of India through the lives of three sisters. Each sister’s story- both distinct and intricately intertwined- develop the overall tale beautifully. This is an incredibly well-architected novel!

Though it’ll surely help to have some prior knowledge of the historical conflict of the Indian partition, this book does a good job keeping the readers intrigued in and knowledgeable of the related time period the book is set in. The narrative centers around the lives of Deepa, Priya, and Jamini, three sisters whose paths diverge yet remain deeply connected. Deepa, the oldest who is known for her alluring beauty and strong sense of responsibility, falls in love with a Muslim. During a time of immense tension and violence between Muslims and Hindus, her story finds a rather alleviating way of presenting itself. Priya, a strong willed girl with a resolute heart and mind, wants to become a doctor like her father, something society frowns up. Jamini, the reserved and obedient sibling of the three, is a devout and sharp quiltmaker, with unrevealed passions and conflicts of her own. The sisters’ individual stories are beautifully developed, reflecting the complexity of their personalities and the challenges they face. The portrayal of these characters is nothing short of brilliant; their development throughout the book feels authentic and deeply moving. The book follows the trajectory of making choices, whether for oneself or the well-being of others, and the tremendous consequences that come with it. The central idea of women's empowerment and the importance of women in society and education was discussed thoroughly and beautifully in the novel as well.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni from Ancora Imparo

Additionally, as a Bangladeshi reader, this novel has proven itself extra special to me. Having witnessed the lingering effects of British colonialism and heard firsthand accounts of the partition from my grandparents and relatives, it is profoundly moving to see this crucial part of history represented so accurately and sensitively. The portrayal of the independence struggle, with its many catastrophes and triumphs, is done with great compassion and respect.

It would be a shame not to mention one of my favorite, if not my favorite aspect of this novel: the inclusion of Rabindra sangeet and Nazrul geeti, which are classic pieces of Bengali songs and poetry from artists Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. The little snippets of lyrics and poetry lines mentioned in the book act as a bridge between the past and the present. This aspect of the novel was not overdone, but there was enough of it to help the reader stay engaged and looking for more. Reading this book felt so incredibly nostalgic which made the read even more enjoyable.

The depiction of historical events and real-life figures such as Sarojini Naidu and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adds another layer of authenticity to the novel. There is a seamless blend of fiction with history that creates a narrative that is both educational and emotionally engaging.

Having mentioned all the starring features of this novel, it is only fair I also mention the aspects of this novel that could’ve been improved. I am not familiar with Divakaruni’s other novels; however, there is no argument that a published book should have little to no mistakes in grammar and use of literary devices. There were several commas, periods, quotation marks, etc. missing- a personal reading pet peeve of mine. Though this is a minor criticism in comparison to every other part of the novel I liked, it would’ve helped for this be an overall perfect read if the grammar was done correctly. Throughout the book, the three main characters were portrayed extremely well…at the expense of the other characters. The importance of family and relations was a highlight feature of this novel, which is why I wish there was more focus on developing the surrounding characters and utilizing them to the overall development of the story.

All in all, I highly recommend this book. This was a 10/10 for me, and I would like to thank Mrs. Taylor for introducing me to this. For anyone interested in this period of history or in a beautifully told story of family, identity, and perseverance, "Independence" is a must-read and worth the purchase!

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