Latitude Of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup | BOOK REVIEW
Book: Latitude Of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup
Genre: Literary fiction
Pages: 332
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
"With the advent of winter, snow swiftly submerges the land, pouring out the soul's afflictions, layer by layer. Ice can't heal the wounds or mend the ruptures, but it numbs the pain."
Shubhangi Swarup in her debut novel has painted vivid landscapes with her words, written stories which engulf you wholly and keep you mesmerized by her brilliant writing.
The book is divided into 4 sections : Islands, Faultline, Valley, Snow desert. Each of these are set against a specific backdrop like Andaman, Bhutan, Nepal.
This is an ingenious work of literature in which humans are entwined beautifully with flora, fauna, and supernatural.
All these elements come together and gives a tale which spans across generations, different timelines and transports us into their convoluted lives, offering insights brimming with the essence of their native surroundings.
My favourite part was about Girija and Chanda, a newly married couple who are shown to navigate around the newfangled emotions of longings and companionship. Their inexperience is shown in a humorous manner. The story is set in the backdrop of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and enhances its glory. Its history from the time of independence is described fervently.
Swarup has used metaphors profusely throughput the book which invigorates the imagination of readers to peel back this multi-layered storyline and provide a feeling of serenity. The book is written in a manner that it demands to be savoured slowly and not something which should be rushed and read in a single sitting.
The pace justifies the language and all the elements portrayed just get along. It was a pleasure reading this book. It made me journey through the past to the present and from depths of unexplored oceans to Lofty freezing Mountains.The stories set around our neighbouring countries provide that eyeglass through which our basic human trials are reflected to be as similar as ours.
There are moments which will bring you to the brink of utmost grief and some which provide you the much needed tranquility.
This is one of my favourite verse from the book :
"With the advent of winter, snow swiftly submerges the land, pouring out the soul's afflictions, layer by layer. Ice can't heal the wounds or mend the ruptures, but it numbs the pain."
Shubhangi Swarup in her debut novel has painted vivid landscapes with her words, written stories which engulf you wholly and keep you mesmerized by her brilliant writing.
The book is divided into 4 sections : Islands, Faultline, Valley, Snow desert. Each of these are set against a specific backdrop like Andaman, Bhutan, Nepal.
This is an ingenious work of literature in which humans are entwined beautifully with flora, fauna, and supernatural.
All these elements come together and gives a tale which spans across generations, different timelines and transports us into their convoluted lives, offering insights brimming with the essence of their native surroundings.
My favourite part was about Girija and Chanda, a newly married couple who are shown to navigate around the newfangled emotions of longings and companionship. Their inexperience is shown in a humorous manner. The story is set in the backdrop of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and enhances its glory. Its history from the time of independence is described fervently.
"In the Andaman Sea, each island is a person & each person an Island."
Swarup has used metaphors profusely throughput the book which invigorates the imagination of readers to peel back this multi-layered storyline and provide a feeling of serenity. The book is written in a manner that it demands to be savoured slowly and not something which should be rushed and read in a single sitting.
The pace justifies the language and all the elements portrayed just get along. It was a pleasure reading this book. It made me journey through the past to the present and from depths of unexplored oceans to Lofty freezing Mountains.The stories set around our neighbouring countries provide that eyeglass through which our basic human trials are reflected to be as similar as ours.
There are moments which will bring you to the brink of utmost grief and some which provide you the much needed tranquility.
This is one of my favourite verse from the book :
Blessed are the ones who weep,
for her salt flows in their tears.
The ocean lives in on their tales
as they wander in her ebb and flow....
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