Calcutta – a reflective analysis
- Book: Calcutta: Two Years in the City
- Location: Kolkata (Calcutta)
- Author: Amit Chaudhuri
The Book
The author , having lived in Calautta in his youth , returns in 1999. He reflects in depth on the Calcutta of his childhood years and the Calcutta of the present ( 2009-2011) using the political spectrum as a reference point.
My Thoughts
This book is not an “easy” read. The depth of reflection of the author draws the reader in and demands rapt concentration. I likened it to reading a textbook , you can only assimilate small sections at a time.
I felt the book also lacked structure. The author frequently diverges form his interesting and thought provoking reflections to philosophise on the political spectrum, referencing at times unfamiliar literature in his musings . This I found frustrating , it seemed that the author was “ rambling” in no meaninful direction ( for me as the reader ).
I have read this book with no knowledge of Calcutta , which may have been a disadvantage . Some familiarity would have enabled me , as an informed reader , to understand and appreciate the authors profound reflections .
In summary ,a lyrical and profound book .
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