My Rating - 3 out of 5 stars
Publisher - Leadstart InkstateGenre - Fiction
Publishing year - 2022
Language - English
ISBN - 978-93-56109-33-9
Pages - 242
Book Review -
Balli of Bagdih is the second book penned by Nilotpal Dutta. It is based in a coal mining town near Dhanbad, and the story is narrated by Bagdih village itself.
Bagdih loves Balli and considers him her son, and Balli loves Bagdih too. They both share a deep connection, and the story starts with the narrator recounting the circumstances which led Balli's family to come and settle in this captivating townlet.
Soon they made this town their home, and everyone was accustomed to Balli's unusual habits in the colony. He makes two best friends, Samar and Samaira, and soon learns that he has special feelings for Samaira but is unaware of Balli's feelings; she treats him as a friend.
Throughout the book, Balli is considerate of other people's feelings, which is uncommon to find these days, but also, the story is set in 70 and 80s, when innocence was a real thing. His parents are hardworking and loved by everyone, but Balli has a strong bond with his maternal grandfather, which ultimately changes his life.
The story touches on different topics like the imposing of an emergency, the death of Indira Gandhi, anti-Sikh riots, and political changes leading to coal mining corruption. Still, amid all these, Balli, Samar, and Samaira were nonchalantly planning for their future, doing pranks, and living their life to the fullest.
The characters have a fair share of struggles, confusion, desolation, and trauma, making the story more realistic. But will these friends stay together forever, or their ambitions tear them apart? However, you have to read this book to find the answer.
I like this book and enjoy the portrayal of the characters; the language is crystal clear, making it a fast-paced read. I recommend it to newbies, and if you're in a reading slump, this will help you get out of it.
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