Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of my favourite authors and I mostly always enjoy her books. This time, her latest – Independence, was no different!
Book Summary
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni tells the story of three sisters living in Eastern Bengal and the turn their lives take during the India-Pakistan partition when it becomes a part of Pakistan. The sisters get separated, each following their own chosen path and must comes to terms with and learn to survive the riots and uncertainty the come with political turmoil.
My Thoughts on Independence
I honestly have very limited knowledge about the partition of India with respect to East Bengal. Somehow this part of history was literally nonexistent in our history books while I was growing up. Although we knew about the partition of India into East and West Pakistan, very little was ever spoken or taught to us about the creation of Bangladesh as an independent country.
This book for me, shed some light on a few things about the life of the people in the area and the kind of environment they were living in. The characters, especially the women, as in all her books are very well written and find yourself cheering for them. The story tugs at your heart strings and is definite page turner. I could not put this down and continued until the wee hours of the night. A treat for sure!
My rating: 4.5⭐️
Favorite Quotes from Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
“The year is 1947. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.”
― Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Independence
“How many mysteries are locked within the people we think we know.”
― Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Independence
“Now I see that meaning well counts for nothing. Only what happens in the end matters.”
― Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Independence
Other Books by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni that I’ve read and enjoyed
- The Palace of Illusions
- Sister of my Heart
- The Mistress of Spices
- One Amazing Thing
- Arranged Marriage