Review

Translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha, Chronicles of the lost Daughters by Debarati Mukhopadhyay is a story from the late nineteenth century, with a vibrant background of Bengal where Debarati brings together the glory and the decadence of colonial times.

The story starts with the chaos at the port, people being clueless about how and where life is taking them, Krishnoshundor is worried about his family. Where are they taking them? How their life will be once they are sold as slaves?

While Debarati highlights the topics like Child Marriage, the debates and issues with women’s education, the life of widows, rapes, remarriage, the caste system and other such important topics. The plot starts on an intriguing note that will make the readers curious to know more about Krishnoshundor’s life and the fate of his family.

As the story proceeds, it highlights Krishnoshundor’s life, and how they escaped the village as tragedy happens with his young sister Bhubonmoni. His wife’s perspective and the way he encourages his daughters to study. While you will witness the first inter-caste marriage here, you will see a woman fighting for her education rights and becoming the first doctor. While there’s a track on Krishnoshundor’s life, Debarati introduces another track of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah languishing in exile.

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As the story proceeds, the author introduces other characters that adds significance to the story. It’s a fast-paced, thrilling story with a crisp descriptive narrative, making readers aware of the hard times and the situations each of the characters has been through. What I loved most about the book is it’s to the point. The story will make you feel pain for Bhubonmoni, and feel upset about Krishnoshundor’s situation.

It’s a story that has layers of betrayal, heartbreak, loss, love lost and found, it’s a story of courage, hope and determination to follow your dream and bring change. While she highlights the times when men’s ruled because they are men, money and upper caste ruled.

Where others, the upper caste decides your fate. She tells about how one wants to bring a change and things shape up. The way the events were taking place and the story went will startle you. The Writing style of the author is gripping and captivating keeping the readers invested in.

There’s drama, there’s pain and the way she portrays the situations is commendable. It’s a bit heavy read with the situations that will make you question, that will make you feel the pain. The characters are beautifully sketched by the author. Each character has a story to tell, a journey to discover and Debarati shares interestingly express their journeys. I loved Bhubonmoni’s character the most and Krishnoshundor’s wife Bromhomoyee’s character and Her ideas. You will witness the characters including historical figures like Dr Kadambini Ganguly, Rabindranath Tagore and others.

It’s a remarkable story, truly a page-turner. Debarati weaves an absorbing tale of courage, and a quest to bring change.

Summary

When unspeakable tragedy befalls Bhubonmoni, a young widow, she must leave her village along with her brother, Krishnoshundor, and his family. Ensnared by the wily entrepreneur Nobokishore Dutta, they end up in an overcrowded depot near a port, soon to be packed into a ship sailing to Surinam, where they will be sold as sugarcane plantation slaves. But Fate has other plans. Bhubonmoni finds herself being led away from the port and her family to be stowed away in a secret location in Calcutta. Not too far away, a young rebel Shourendro is swept up by the ideas of the Brahmo Samaj. Meanwhile in Metiabruz, a shy musician Chondronath impresses the exiled Nawab of Lucknow with his art. None of them know it yet, but the stars are aligning despite overwhelming odds for them to meet under curious circumstances…Set against the vibrant background of late nineteenth-century Bengal, Debarati Mukhopadhyay’s beautifully woven novel brings together the glory and the decadence of colonial times. Fast-paced and thrilling, with a lively cast of characters including historical figures such as Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr Kadambini Ganguly, Chronicles of the Lost Daughters is an unforgettable saga

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