Whew. A few little milestones. Not only have I finished another section, part 11, but it was one of those slower going parts that was a little bit of a struggle for me to stay on task. Way back when I was first reading in earnest, lugging such a heavy book around made me want to leave it at home more often than not, so I literally cut the book into more manageable pieces. I know, I know. Very destructive behavior. I am very particular about my books, trust me. However, in this case it has helped immensely, and it is so much easier to tuck a thin part of the book into my bookbag. I have also finished reading the third of five 'pieces'.
And just in time, too, as that third chunk was beginning to look a little tattered. Now that I have moved on to another piece I see that part 12, which I am already into only has about 25 pages left. Happily I am back with the Mehras and Kapoors. But first, a little overview of where I have been.
Part 11 focuses mostly on political and religious aspects of the story. I know these are important events in the story since it encompasses not only the lives of several families but it takes place against the backdrop of post-Partition India, but the action slows a bit for me.
The drama takes place first in the courtroom. At stake is the Zamindari Abolition Act. "If the courts decided for it, it would stand. If not, it would be as if it never existed." Zamindars are landowners. They might control a large area on which peasants live and work the land, and from whom the landowners can collect taxes. Not a very happy prospect if you happen to be a peasant. Firoz Khan, good friend of Maan Kapoor (whose brother is married to Lata's sister, and who is having a steamy affair with a courtesan, which if you recall from the last section was the cause for his being sent to the countryside).
It is another drama that had me more engaged in this part. I must admit ignorance when it comes to the Hindu religion, but there is an annual (?) pilgrimage that takes place during the New Moon and on a particular day the pilgrims bathe in the Ganga River. During this Pul Mela there were so many pilgrims, and a bottle neck of people causing a massive stampede resulting in the deaths of many. It becomes more personal when Maan's sister, Veena becomes separated from her son, Bhaskar. She is there with a friend and her mother when chaos erupts.
It is Lata's not so suitable boy who comes to the rescue. Despite being Muslim, as a student he is called to help in the disaster. He knows young Bhaskar and spots him in the melee. It is sheer luck he is able to take him to safety. The boy, is in shock but not too physically harmed. So here we have a promising intersection of characters.
My favorite part of the chapter is Lata's mother, Mrs. Rupa Mehra's reaction to the knowledge of Lata's suitors (and unfortunate love interest, Kabir) that everyone else except she seems to have. Why have so many run into the shoe salesman, Haresh, and now Kabir's presence at the Pul Mela, yet she is the very last to know!
Things are starting to come together and I am happy to be back with the Mehra family. This chunk of book that I am now starting runs from part 12 through part of part 15 and I will soon be passing the page 900 mark. Onwards.