The Other Language Library

Writing about someone else’s writing is a bit too much. This novel portrays the phase of youth in Pandurang Sangvikar’s life. It begins with an introduction of himself, of his family, of his village, and of the circumstances around him. It goes on to tell us about Pandurang’s college days and the unemployment that follows afterward. Roughly sixty years old as a novel, and yet, there is any real difference between the youth of that time and the youth of today.Pandurang, who comes to Pune for education, the novel captures his observations of the people there: the householders, his classmates, the professors, and presents them in a way that keeps you wanting to read more. Then, after completing his education in Pune, when he returns to his village, the people there, the events, the means of entertainment, and the changes in his own behavior, all of it is written in an engaging manner.The anecdotes from college and hostel life feel familiar. Important phases in a young man’s life such as arguments with father, the mother’s peculiar ways of showing affection, love for sisters, the awareness that comes through studies, hostel life, and the unemployment after college, all of these are written about in an entertaining way.The personality-shaping stages of youth like the urge to do something great, making year-long timetables, keeping accounts of expenses, self evaluation, dealing with some kind of inferiority complex, participating in college elocution activities, managing mess accounts, facing unpleasant experiences in college, thoughts about death, the questions that arise within, a leaning toward reading, and the desire to live independently, all of this finds expansive treatment in the novel.Keen observation, engaging narration, and a distinct style of writing, that is Kosala.