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A review by bookthia
What the Body Remembers by Shauna Singh Baldwin
4.0
A lyrical and lengthy reflection on India in the time of the Partition, told through the eyes of people who had almost no influence on India's history during that time -- Sikhs and women.
Sardarji is a wealthy Sikh landowner in Punjab. He is UK-educated as an engineer and rescues his family estates from bankrupcy and inefficiency. His first wife is Satya, an articulate and confident woman with a sharp mind and a sharp tongue. Satya is well-suited to Sardarji, they love and respect each other, but she has not borne children and this is a big deal for Sardarji. Hence, after many years of marriage to Satya, he chooses to marry again in secret. He chooses Roop, a 16-year old girl who has been raised to be obedient and "above all, cause no trouble". Satya is outraged and offended and jealous and treats Roop very poorly. But Roop gives Sardarji his children -- even as Satya claims them as her own. The story explores Roop and Satya and their relationship, both to each other and to Sardarji. Why are women pitted into competitive roles? Why are women more valued if they are obedient? How are women prevented from participating in the history that will define their future?
Alongside the story of the women, is the story of Sardarji himself, a minority Sikh when India is being partitioned between the Moslems and Hindus. How did England's colonialist behaviour contribute to what happened? What happened to Sikhs, even Sikhs with influence? Why were they overlooked? What is their story now?
Baldwin writes with eloquent prose and explores these themes in deep detail. For my personal taste, this book was just a tad too long and occasionally lost my attention in all the detail. If you are looking for a plot-driven novel, this is not the book for you. If you enjoy exploring relationships and histories of people and places, What the Body Remembers is a worthy read with moving and thoughtful reflections.
Sardarji is a wealthy Sikh landowner in Punjab. He is UK-educated as an engineer and rescues his family estates from bankrupcy and inefficiency. His first wife is Satya, an articulate and confident woman with a sharp mind and a sharp tongue. Satya is well-suited to Sardarji, they love and respect each other, but she has not borne children and this is a big deal for Sardarji. Hence, after many years of marriage to Satya, he chooses to marry again in secret. He chooses Roop, a 16-year old girl who has been raised to be obedient and "above all, cause no trouble". Satya is outraged and offended and jealous and treats Roop very poorly. But Roop gives Sardarji his children -- even as Satya claims them as her own. The story explores Roop and Satya and their relationship, both to each other and to Sardarji. Why are women pitted into competitive roles? Why are women more valued if they are obedient? How are women prevented from participating in the history that will define their future?
Alongside the story of the women, is the story of Sardarji himself, a minority Sikh when India is being partitioned between the Moslems and Hindus. How did England's colonialist behaviour contribute to what happened? What happened to Sikhs, even Sikhs with influence? Why were they overlooked? What is their story now?
Baldwin writes with eloquent prose and explores these themes in deep detail. For my personal taste, this book was just a tad too long and occasionally lost my attention in all the detail. If you are looking for a plot-driven novel, this is not the book for you. If you enjoy exploring relationships and histories of people and places, What the Body Remembers is a worthy read with moving and thoughtful reflections.