Book Review: The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar



The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar 

Available in Kindle edition 

It is 1929 when India is on the cusp of a revolution, wanting freedom from the British Raj. Kalyani, who had gone to London for medical studies returns to India and gets caught up in the activities of the revolution, standing against the Raj while also dealing with the stigma and prejudice associated with being a woman who dares to stand for herself in a society that wants her to be invisible and mute. 

Decades later, Jaanvi, a local surgeon, comes across a photograph of her ancestor Kalyani and while searching for her story, seeks inspiration for herself. 

The story spans over two timelines and effortlessly switches between them. The author has done a wonderful job of presenting India during the British Raj. The prevailing environment and the mindset of the society have been described aptly. 

I liked how the author has highlighted the issues faced by Kalyani and Jaanvi in their respective timelines. The issues, while different, still share a common foundation of women being looked down upon always. While Jaanvi's story is based on the year 2019 and shows the issues present in the current day, Kalyani has it far more challenging in the 1930s, fighting for her place not just in the society but at her very home. I liked their portrayal of being independant and resolute women. 

The story also shows another often overlooked side of the British Raj - the fate of a white guy in India, who has no intention to rule or dominate over the masses, who doesn't want to be someone who looks over Indians with prejudice and only wants to live his life in peace, with the woman he loves. Alexander's character has been very well-etched and you can't but sympathize with him - a person caught up in the turmoil between two worlds, one of which has the love of his life. 

This is the author's second book that I read, and I love her unique style of narrative that is crisp, concise and moves at a pace that is both leisurely and engrossing. If you love women-centric books, if you are a fan of books based on India's fight to freedom, then you will love this one. Definitely recommending this one for people looking for poignant and soulful reads. 

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