Land Where I Flee

2013 novel by Prajwal Parajuly.
9781780872971Preceded byThe Gurkha's Daughter 

Land Where I Flee is a novel by an Nepali speaking Indian writer Prajwal Parajuly. It was published on November 14, 2013 by Quercus.[1] It is the first novel and the second book of the author who had previously published a collection of short stories titled The Gurkha's Daughter which was shortlisted for Dylan Thomas Prize.

Synopsis

The book centers around a Nepali-Indian family from the state of Sikkim. Chitralekha Neupaney, a 84 year old woman is the matriarch of the family who has raised her grandchildren after their parents passed away. On the occasion of her 84th birthday (Chaurasi), there is a reunion in the family of those four grandchildren who live in different parts of the world. Prasanti is the eunuch maid of the house who is very bossy. The novel deals with various themes like identity and family.[1]

Characters

  • Chitralekha Neupaney, a 84 year old matriarch of the house
  • Prasanti, the eunuch help of the household
  • Bhagwati, one of the four grandchildren
  • Agastya, one of the four grandchildren
  • Ruthwa, one of the four grandchildren
  • Manasa, one of the four grandchildren

Translation

It was translated into French as Fuir et Revenir by Benoîte Dauvergne.[2]

Reception

The French translation of the book was nominated for France’s First Novel Prize. The book was also longlisted for the Emile Guimet Prize.[3] Manjula Narayan of Hindustan Times praised the book as "one of the best novels of the year' in his review.[4] Jane Housham called it as "a caustic look at family life" in her review for The Guardian.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "'Land Where I Flee': Prajwal Parajuly writes a tale of relationships, love and fear". DNA India. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  2. ^ "Prajwal Parajuly's Land Where I Flee shortlisted for France's Emile Guimet Prize". The Indian Express. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  3. ^ "Indian author Parajuly's book 'Land where I Flee' nominated for France's First Novel Prize". EastMojo. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  4. ^ "Book Review: Land Where I Flee". Hindustan Times. 2013-12-21. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  5. ^ "Land Where I Flee by Prajwal Parajuly review – a caustic look at family life". the Guardian. 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2021-12-13.