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Shoes of the Dead

Title : Shoes of the DeadShoes of the Dead
Author : Kota Neelima
Publisher : Rupa Publications India Pvt Ltd
ISBN : 978-81-291-2396-1
Number of Pages : 274
Price [INR] : 495
Genre: Political Fiction

Crushed by successive crop failures and the burden of debt, Sudhakar Bhadra kills himself. The powerful district committee of Mityala routinely dismisses the suicide and refuses compensation to his widow. Gangiri, his brother, makes it his life’s mission to bring justice to the dead by influencing the committee to validate similar farmer suicides.

Keyur Kashinath of the Democratic Party – first-time member of Parliament from Mityala, and son of Vaishnav Kashinath, the party’s general secretary – is the heir to his father’s power in Delhi politics. He faces his first crisis every suicide in his constituency certified by the committee as debt-related is a blot on the party’s image, and his competence. The brilliant farmer battles his inheritance of despair, the arrogant politician fights for the power he has received as legacy. Their two worlds collide in a conflict that pushes both to the limits of morality from where there is no turning back. At stake is the truth about ‘inherited’ democratic power. And at the end, there can only be one winner. Passionate and startlingly insightful, Shoes of the Dead is a chilling parable of modern-day India.

The stories of the farmers committing suicide in Maharashtra due to failed crops and debts keep making headlines in the newspapers. Apart from some names and statistics one is never privy of what compelled the farmer to take such a drastic step of ending his life. Shoes of the Dead, is an insightful story about the life of a farmer who is hit by poor rains, failed crops, the unpaid debts,the mortgaging of every asset in hope of a better crop, the daily harassment and the humiliation from the moneylenders, his exploitation… his truth.

Shoes of the Dead, also brings to light the appalling nexus between the political leaders in Delhi and the district suicide committee. For the sake of the vote banks and the power of the power, denying compensation to the widows is beneficial for the political system. The book showcases the power of the pen and the ethics of journalism that can bring about a big change.

Though the subject of this book is a serious one and raises some very unpleasant questions about the unfair practices prevalent in our country, Shoes of the Dead is an interesting and a pleasant read.

What I liked about this book is also its very good characterization. The detailed description of the characters gave a better understanding of the characters’ personalities and complexities thus making the characters vivid, alive and believable. This strong characterization, thus made the story more interesting. The book moves with a smooth pace and is without much drama, still it manages to keep you glued to the book.

With simple language and crisp narration, Shoes of the Dead is the truth behind the news headlines that shock and perturb us regularly.

Rating : 4/5   

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7 Responses

  1. The review convinces me that this is different from every other book available and being written now a days.

    The suicide of farmers are very much prevelant even in present day india. it is so very unfortunate and shamefull that due to corruption farmers are still forced to end there life. But more unfortunate is the truth that the farmer’s misfortune does not end there as generation after generation this continues. Sigh!

    4/5 tells me that this book should not be missed by any chance. As it is not easy to maintain the flow of the story when it is based on such serious issues. I am not sure when will i get to read it but have added it to my reading list already.

    1. It is a fiction but seems very real. It is very different from the regular books that I have read. Very insightful and thought provoking too.
      Do, check it out, Preeti, whenever you can. 🙂

  2. Sounds low a very thought provoking read, Shilpa. Especially given that this has become common news. I am definitely going to see if I can get hols of this one.

  3. The condition of farmers is indeed pitiful, its time we realised we owe our food to them and not the fat pay packets we earn… Imagine what will happen if they give up what they do tired of the harsh treatment dished out to them by nature and govt?

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