Jaipur Journals by Namita Gokhale
From the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary Festival, abrilliant, funny, and moving novel set against the background of the festival, and the characters that make it tick.
Told from multiple perspectives, from the authors enjoying moments of adulation after years of creative isolation, to the star-struck public mingling with their cultural icons, to those in-between, who are both author and fan, these diverse stories of lost love and regret, self-doubt, and new beginnings come together in a narrative that is as varied as India itself.
From a septuagenarian who has completed her semi-biographical novel but does not want to part with it, to an author who receives a threat in the form of a poison pen letter; from a historian who reunites with a past lover, to a burglar who is passionate about poetry; from a young woman who has no idea what this world has in store for her, to an American woman looking for the India of her hippie youth, this metafictional, wryly funny novel is an ode to literature.
Partly a love letter to the greatest literary show on earth, partly a satire about the glittery set that throngs the festival year after year, and partly an ode to the millions of aspiring writers who wander the earth with unsubmitted manuscripts in their bags, Jaipur Journals is a light-footed romp that showcases in full form Gokhale’s unsparing eye for the pretensions and the pathos of that loneliest tribe of them all: the writers.
About the author.
Born in Lucknow, India, NAMITA GOKHALE, is an award-winning writer, publisher, and the co-founder/director (with William Dalrymple) of the Jaipur Literary Festival. She is the author of over twenty fiction and non-fiction books including the best-selling Paro: Dreams of Passion, Priya, and Things to Leave Behind. In 2017 Namita was awarded the first ever Centenary National Award for Literature by the Literary Society of Assam for her service to the Indian nation in supporting and showcasing Indian writing talents. Described as one of the finest Indian writers, she lives in New Delhi.
Review
‘Jaipur Journals’ is a multi-faceted look at what goes on during a literary festival in one of the most colourful cities in the world. It’s funny, sharp, satirical and at times hauntingly beautiful. The festival at Jaipur is one that I have dreamt of going to since I heard about and this book has only made that longing even worse!
This is a novel packed full of exciting characters but I have to admit my favourite was Rudrani. From the beginning when we met her on the train I was hooked but then I love older characters in literature - they have a richness in them. From looking up words in her dictionary, to finding out about her childhood and life, it was a delight to read. However, she is a layered character as there were definitely aspects of her personality that I didn’t agree with.
I enjoyed the fact that this was not a novel that wasn’t afraid to poke fun of the festival and those who are present. Especially, when you realise that the author is the co-founder with William Dalrymple, the eminent Raj historian. It takes aim at the pretentious of it all. I went to my first festival last year and before then I was always worried that the authors would discuss things that went right over my head! But I found an experience which embraces people, there is a joy of sharing ideals and reading tastes. I can imagine it is the same in Jaipur. Of course, when you get into academic debates on the discourse of feminity and feminism it’s sure to turn into a lively affair.
This was an exciting read, which highlights all the different characters which attend the festival. It’s an overview of the experience and one that I definitely want to take part in!
