The book is edited and introduced by Pankaj Mishra, a well-regarded Indian writer. Each selection includes a brief biography of its author drafted by Mishra and explains their connection to India. Included are chapters from such expected authors as E.M. Forster, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham; and the not so obvious Octavio Paz, Mark Twain, Gore Vidal, and even George Orwell; among others.
The
works cover a variety of topics from travel difficulties, language barriers,
the imperialism of the British Raj and the unwitting arrogance of its
administrators, religion, animal population, marriage customs, and of course
partition history. There is even a Journal selection from visitor Allen
Ginsberg which is, true to form, incomprehensible.
One of
the most thought-provoking excerpts is Desert Places by Australian author Robyn
Davidson who talked about the Raban nomads of the desert region of western
India and how the loss of such nomadic tribes would be unnoticed by
the outside world.
Also of
note is Jan Morris’ short essay titled Mrs. Gupta Never Rang about the capitol
city of New Delhi. George Orwell’s
contribution from Shooting an Elephant is a phenomenal essay on what a being a “Sahib”
entails.
Paul
Scott’s excerpt is The Jewel in the Crown, about the British Raj experience. I’ll
read his book The Raj Quartet sometime in the future. I’ll also read the full
version of The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux.
Mark
Twain of course, brings in the humor, not disrespectful, but hilarious by telling
of his experience when interviewing prospective “bearers” a.k.a. manservants,
who did, and did not, know English.
Not to
be outdone by the others, Gore Vidal goes deep into a discussion of nirvana
with a wandering Budda.
Recommendation:
Yes, this was a fun and informative literary sampling.
