One of the most prominent praises for this book (and its
author) has been that it captures cultural, political, and historical details of modern
India with wit, sincerity, and honesty. It is true that this collection of essays
ranges the gamut of topics and ideas, and seems to present a bit of a "pendulum" (as you
say) of extremes, politically, economically, and socially. I think what the author
really intends to stress about her country through this book, is that despite her
homeland's image in the eyes of a world that likely knows very little about the reality
of living or growing up in India, she loves her country. She accepts its faults and
celebrates its successes. She wants her readers to know that India is fighting (in many
different ways) to create and maintain an acceptable modern and global identity, and she
has hope that it will accomplish this.
Furthermore, I think
the author wishes to portray herself through her culture, from a
perspective that is both honest and candid, but also proud. Her easy going tone
throughout the essays suggests that this collection is not necessarily meant to be a
revolutionary guide, a complaint, nor a call to action. It is a presentation of beauty,
of reality, of complexity and simplicity, and it is meant to be read as a very personal
account. As a result, I came away from reading it with more of a connection to the
author than to the country of India.
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