Inter caste marriages have been subject of scrutiny for a very long time now. While for some it has worked with the consent of the elders but for some it has ended in painful memories. Author Rachna Singh in her book "That Autumn in Awadh" lends a helping hand to love with a version which is bold as well as scary to imagine. So has she been able to support the cause? Let's find out.
Young, impetuous and drawn to each other like gnats to resin, Samar Solanki and Sara Shergill try furiously to avoid falling in love but slowly succumb. All hell breaks loose as Samars conservative Rajput family swears vendetta, locking Samar away on the eve of their clandestinely-planned wedding. They vow to eliminate Sara, the audacious girl who has dreamt of sullying their pedigreed lineage, from Samars life. Through that lonely autumn in Awadh, bereft of hope, fettered and helpless, the star- crossed lovers cling to the faith they have in each other, as they brave many storms together. This novel about love is peppered, generously, with the authors characteristic droll wit as it traipses through sensational turns of events that keep you absorbed till the very end.
First look at the title and the cover and it's simplicity yet captivating touch gives it a style which cannot be described. The title itself is something which is like a hint of literature. A serious tone to the entire book. The blurb talks about two people and their involvements in love and relationship and how they overcome the obstacles all by themselves. The blurb is good enough to catch the eye of the readers.
The story is of Samar & Sara. They meet, it's love at first sight and then gradually the pace is set for a relationship which is to be consummated in the form of marriage. But all is not so well on the family front as both of them belong to different castes. In the end it's a fight for survival for both and for their love too. So will Sara & Samar be able to stay together? Will this culminate into marriage? Or will the relationship will die a slow and a painful death? That's what the story is all about.
The story starts off on a lovely note with the choice of words making it looking extremely readable. The pace is frantic and events occurring in a jiffy sometimes. The whole build up to the plot is good and takes a chunk out of reality and some harsh truths of our society. The book scores heavily when it comes to love and emotions and never ever falls short of expressions. The up and down in the tone of the story is clearly highlighted and left for the readers to savour. The vocabulary is top notch and fluency between the lines is reflected when the thoughts and ideas are expressed.
The downside of the book is it's hurried second half where the entire plot is based on. The story towards the end could have been given a more detailed outlook and some jiffy incidents could have been given a lot of impetus. The excitement lost in the mix towards the end.
All in all the book is not a glamour story but has various shades of life and distinct difference in opinions on love has been given a lot of importance. The book has lots of moment to cherish but loses out in the end with a not so cleaned up act. The harsh realities of life has been given enough space in the story and it treats the readers with something which is heard and read of. The book with hopes and sacrifices for many who are in love.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
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