Sunlight on a Broken Column

I am not a penguin fan, especially if purchased online as they generally tend to disappoint me with quality. But excellent quality this time - print is perfect, the paper quality is great and the book does feel like a "Classic". Pictures attached here are after the book was thoroughly read by me, but it has excellent packing and was in mint condition when it got here.Coming to the writing. It hits you all in the right places. I could identify quite a bit with the character considering I am Indian. No other author from the 60s has captured my imagination as much as Attia Hosain has. It is a sad thing that she's only ever written one other work. I will make it a point to read that as well. So much of the writing is such original Indian English. We cannot do away with it. That is the charm and beauty of this book. I like how the author has developed the character - Laila and the changes in thoughts that are formulated in the character's head as she gets older.One other thing that I enjoyed was how the book was divided, as the character ages. It is a little different from other writings so have a look out for it. I especially loved the character confronting her own wealth and privilege in the society and the thought processes that occur around her privilege and wealth. In the age of Rs.1,20,000 phones, this is one trait of the character that we can reflect over quite a bit.

This book is a real gem. On suggestion of a friend, I stared reading this novel and oh boy! I did surprised me. The prose brings the lost glory of Lucknow to life. By reading this masterpiece, you go back in the days, when "tehzeeb" and "adab" where not lost words. Attia Hosain as done amazing justice to the era and characters.Would recommend this book to all

It is quite fascinating to read about the life of Muslims when feudalism existed., when Hindu's and Muslims lived peacefully and united, when society was dependent on a feudal and peasant relationship to survive, when honor and respect were obeyed to death and when traditions and rituals were religiously followed and several more aspects of feudalism. so this may be the reason why the novel is titled so 'Sunlight on a broken column'. The author is trying to put light on a section of history that is not only unforgettable but also broken.The novel stays noticeably around love, marriage and traditional practices even if the place, people and condition change with the passing time, which established an unbreakable and mesmerizing lead between social stigmas, political disturbances and emotional and economic longings. There were a few significant changes in social structure and in the outline of output. In place of feudal lords, the British installed a modern system of government which took a smaller share of national income. The British also reduced tax squeeze on agriculture and turned warlords into landlords. Also, there is a major clash among the older and the younger generations. The elders give utmost importance to the duty towards the family, respect for elders, honor etc. whereas the later, influenced by the independence movement as well as liberal education always question it. This clash was when close to the independence, their feudal system, the very tradition and culture that they rigidly followed for generations was demanded.*The light must shine in every home, the light must reach into the darkest corner of the land.*

A beautifully written classic based on the society and culture of pre independence Lucknow. Recommended for every lover of literature.

It's a beautiful book. It gives a great insight into the Taluqdar households of pre Independence India.