Taking you back to Partition

When you meet someone, there’s a historical background and baggage that the new acquaintance comes with. That’s how characters are introduced in BK Karkra’s The Tale of Two Countries. This book, however, doesn’t just conjure up characters, but also harps on the history of the Indian subcontinent and reiterates the pain suffered during Partition. Karkra sets his work in London to chronicle how families from North India migrated to foreign shores in search of opportunities. Thus unfolds the story of Gursevak Grewal and Sukhvinder Kaur, who survive the horrors of Partition, enjoy blissful matrimony, a challenging phase of parenting and live a life that’s full of lessons for the readers. What works is the succinct description of facts; what doesn’t is the excessive use of Punjabi in certain sections — it breaks the flow of the reader. Relatable situations and NRI humour, however, make you break into a laugh or two.

Title: The Tale of Two Countries

Author: BK Karkra Publisher: Rupa

Price: ₹295

Henna Rakheja