Review of Beyond a Broken Bridge
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Catherine Sweet
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Review of Beyond a Broken Bridge
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Beyond a Broken Bridge" by Anita Krishan.]
Beyond a Broken Bridge is historical fiction by Anita Krishan. The narrator is a young Indian Hindu man called Ratan Arya. His family can’t afford to send him to school, but he finds ways to learn and eventually gets a scholarship to study engineering. Once qualified, he works as an engineer for the British in Rangoon, Burma. The story takes place during widespread upheaval, including India’s fight for independence, the 1947 Partition, and World War II.
When the Japanese start bombing Rangoon, thousands of Indians escape and make their way to India on foot. Ratan and his friend Mansur also plan to walk to India, and they embark on a perilous journey through the jungle, facing dangers such as armed bandits and wild animals.
Ratan has many trials ahead of him. When he finds true love, it comes with many challenges and much heartache. His dream of independence for India comes true, but the partition creates violence and mayhem, and he doesn’t escape it unscathed.
We learn about the society of the time through Ratan’s perspective. He describes how the Indian population resent being unfairly treated by the British. Ratan comments, “Besides, I am furious that I must work for those who are butchering and torturing my people, who have squeezed us out of our wealth and our confidence, who have crushed our pride under their boots, who have ruined one of the oldest cultures in the world.” Ratan is also keenly aware of the plight of women in India and believes that society must change. One way forward would be to provide education for girls.
The narrator, Ratan, has a strong, true voice and great depth of character. The storytelling is compelling and believable. There is tension as Ratan faces obstacles, and there are twists and turns that will surprise the reader. The historical backdrop is cleverly depicted, lending authenticity to the story.
This book would appeal to readers interested in learning more about India’s history through a
well-told story. I have deducted one star for the numerous editing errors. The rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars.
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Beyond a Broken Bridge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Beyond a Broken Bridge is historical fiction by Anita Krishan. The narrator is a young Indian Hindu man called Ratan Arya. His family can’t afford to send him to school, but he finds ways to learn and eventually gets a scholarship to study engineering. Once qualified, he works as an engineer for the British in Rangoon, Burma. The story takes place during widespread upheaval, including India’s fight for independence, the 1947 Partition, and World War II.
When the Japanese start bombing Rangoon, thousands of Indians escape and make their way to India on foot. Ratan and his friend Mansur also plan to walk to India, and they embark on a perilous journey through the jungle, facing dangers such as armed bandits and wild animals.
Ratan has many trials ahead of him. When he finds true love, it comes with many challenges and much heartache. His dream of independence for India comes true, but the partition creates violence and mayhem, and he doesn’t escape it unscathed.
We learn about the society of the time through Ratan’s perspective. He describes how the Indian population resent being unfairly treated by the British. Ratan comments, “Besides, I am furious that I must work for those who are butchering and torturing my people, who have squeezed us out of our wealth and our confidence, who have crushed our pride under their boots, who have ruined one of the oldest cultures in the world.” Ratan is also keenly aware of the plight of women in India and believes that society must change. One way forward would be to provide education for girls.
The narrator, Ratan, has a strong, true voice and great depth of character. The storytelling is compelling and believable. There is tension as Ratan faces obstacles, and there are twists and turns that will surprise the reader. The historical backdrop is cleverly depicted, lending authenticity to the story.
This book would appeal to readers interested in learning more about India’s history through a
well-told story. I have deducted one star for the numerous editing errors. The rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars.
******
Beyond a Broken Bridge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Gerry Steen
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Count me in! I love historical fiction, and this one sounds like a great story. I am interested to know what the narrator, Ratan Arya, has to share about the tumultuous times he was living in. I know so little about India's history. I am adding this book to my bookshelves.
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Deepa dipti bhatt
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I loved your review. As a history enthusiast I m very keen of getting my hands on this book. There have been many stories of independence of India that are truly heart wrenching due to the oppression, partition and social norms at that time. I m very much in the story now and i would surely read it. Thanks , great review!
