4 Reasons to Read One Summer in Poleru by Nanda Rajanala
Nanda Rajanala’s One Summer in Poleru is indeed a classic dreamlike debut. It brings back idyllic form of writing that we would see in early English writers of twentieth century such as R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Ruskin Bond, and so on.
The novel is quite a glorious in its essence, in all aspects that binds it. Putting it honestly, such well-written novels have become a rarity in India; hence, it’s a treat that keeps readers spellbound. In this article, we are patronizing this novel as why you must try it, irrespective of brushing aside all speculations.
1)
Impressive Story:
A fictional novel wins half the battle of impressing readers if the storyline is good with credible subplots. ‘One Summer in Poleru’ offers a promising read for whosoever tries it. Its story features children, animals, hardcore criminals, some funny anecdotes and peculiar characters — but above all the novel is not warts and all. It is a classic tale of drama and thrill. From raising protests to save a village school from demolition to finding the killers of a lowly politician, the novel has everything in its bundle of enjoyment.
2)
You will Love the Characters:
The first half of the novel is led by Renu, a small student from 7th grade. She attends the village school which was ordered to bring down for some infrastructure development. She speaks with a buffalo and gets her epiphany to save it from government. There is a long cast of characters, from Renu’s house to school to friends home. And in second part you will experience inspector Prasad and others that are interrogated for a politician named Giri’s murder. If children characters are serious in their juvenile attempts of working like adults, then the grown up figures like Samuel, Nanna, and Tahsildar act like kids for their own benefits and greed. The mixing and crossing of characters is sketched brilliantly, without overshadowing any of them. You will love them all from time to time.
3)
Social Message is Strong:
The scaffold of the novel is built around underlying land corruption and scam that take place in the guise of development of roads, schools, etc. This novel sheds light on such scams through one ancient village school that has connection with South India’s history, however, instead of saving it the government orders to bring it down. As the case of Giri’s murder solved, the puzzle of land scams is also brought to the light and along with it also brings the culprit in the daylight. However, Renu, the lead girl, strives to save the school forever. Children standing up for a noble cause is a lovely message that this book delivers to all of us.
“Sir, we are determined to protect our school and our village from being exploited. Look at the new school being built right under your nose. It is a private school and will not be accessible to all children, especially someone like me who lives in poverty. I have a long way to go in life, and need the help of the government for education, which eventually make me independent, irrespective of my caste or religion.”
4)
Beautiful Illustrations:
Not only the book is excellently written but it also makes one reminiscent of Malgudi Days due to its beautifully descriptive illustrations, though black and white. The feel and theme of the novel sounds Southern India. Indeed via Poleru a lot of South Indian relics of day-to-day chores come alive in our minds.
