Summer’s song

 

(This book review was first written for Amritabharati)


Summer’s Song



Title: Bena’s Summer

Author: Shibal Bhartiya

Pages: 247

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’s Books



From its first page, Bena’s Summer draws you into a world that is fast fading away -- of innocence, believing in and doing the good, trust and happiness. The story is a visual treat of a summer that promises fun with cousins, climbing trees, eating raw mangoes and reveling in the pleasure of having outsmarted elders.

Set somewhere in the 80s, Bena’s Summer travels to Gaya in Bihar, where her paternal relatives stay in Altamash Manzil and later to Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where her maternal grandparents and aunt live.

 A largely autbobiographical story of Shibal Bhartiya, her protagonist Bena or Benzair Altamash is a precocious eight-year-old. Bena is generous to a fault and believes in the goodness of all; sometimes she does stumble and makes an unkind remark, but apologises straight from the heart when she realises her mistake.

The idyll charm of Bena’s vacation is disrupted by unsavoury episodes which are a test of everyone’s faith. Yet everyone rises to the occasion, notwithstanding a heart break and broken limb or two.

Bena’s Summer is a modern tale of family quibbles, holding on to traditions, social niceties, friends and neighbours turning overnight into foes, frayed socio-political fabric and how it could be set correct. All you need is faith and a ramrod spine to side with the right. Benazir Altamash has it in plenty.

Excerpt

What’s wrong, Bibbi Khala, a scared Bena asked. Meer huddled into his mother’s lap.

Your Baba’s train hasn’t reached Patna yet, and Mama is worried.

Mama, Baba said he won’t reach till 4 pm, said Bena, it’s only noon! Yes, said Mama. He should be almost out of the zone now, Mama said.

Yes, of course Baji, said Bibbi Khala. Let’s all pray, Mama suggested.

Bena was shocked. She had never seen her mom pray. Like ever.

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