Mistaken Identity Book

This book has been sitting in my book almirah for close to eight years now. I was supposed to have read it all those years ago for my M.Phil which had a course on Indian English Literature. At the last minute, the syllabus was changed and another of Nayantara Sehgal's book was prescribed- " Storm in Chandigarh", which I enjoyed much more than this one. I had already purchased the books for the old syllabus and that's how this book happened to come to me. Why I am giving you a history of this book is because I think it's important when a book is read and how it comes to you. As one character in the delightful " The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" says -" Books have a homing instinct." Basically, books know when to come to you.

Now about the book itself : I have a basic problem with the plot. It is too slow moving and only the flashbacks draw you in. The court proceedings and the jail house narrative is not that appealing. Granted that it gives a compelling portrayal of the Indian freedom movement but it would have been better if the protagonist actually tried to be a little " political" and not so lacklustere. The romance(s) also are just that - lacklustre. The two stars are for the flashbacks and the language which is extremely metaphorical and poetic. All in all an OK read. " Storm in Chandigarh " was much better.