Reviews

• Fantastic translation and great writing. Epitome of satire in Hindi literature. What is written in this book for about 50 years ago rural India and politics in small villages is still very resonant with today's time.

• Fantastic book, completely absorbing. Conveys the complexities of the politics of poverty in a very vivid way, allowing us to emotionally experience the difficulties of navigating through life for the main character, Ranganath.

• I'm slowly reading this novel for relaxation before bedtime. Every day there's new excitement, inspired by Shukla's brilliant writing, that makes me guffaw or chuckle. Daily I can't wait to read the next chapter. The author, Srilal Shukla, then retired from government service, lived near the village in UP that was his original home. In an interview with the British translator of this novel, he said it is not autobiographical but draws on his experiences. Characters are mixtures of many and various people he knew. Raag Darbari was first published in Hindi in 1968. The English translation dates from 1992. I consider it to still be realistic about the machinations, thefts, thuggeries, and endless politics of Indian villages today. The richer villagers --landowners or merchants or both-- still dominate, their word is Law. The translator's Introduction is an excellent discussion of Raag Darbari's significance, in the 60's and today, based as it is on discussions with the author. Alas, he's no longer with us. He was a brilliant satirist whose other Hindi works I pray are soon translated. Read about him on Wikipedia. Enjoy this book.

• Read the hindi verison...still relevant and applicable....now more so as there is a new creed of Corporate Babus!

• I had to buy this book for class and honestly I only read half of the book.

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