Azadi: Freedom. Fascism. Fiction by Arundhati Roy – Book Thoughts

Bookish Discussion:

Have you read a non fiction book that was about a subject that was extremely divisive? Where you feared the repercussions of your review?

My short summary on the book:

The first book I’d read by Arundhati Roy, was many many years ago – the book that won her the Booker Prize and the book that made her popular – God of Small Things. I was so young and pretentious then, so I picked up the book and understood nothing. I hadn’t followed Ms Roy’s writing after that. And probably missed a lot in the run.

Now, before I write anything about this book, two things that need to be mentioned upfront – 1) This is a non fiction work and collection of lectures turned into essays and 2) It’s political.

What lies ahead?

Reimagining the world. Only That.

From Azadi by Arundhati Roy

A friend I was chatting with, rightly said, politics is a slippery slope. Everyone’s politics is different. So I also need to add a disclaimer here saying, please dont troll me. Read this review and the author’s book at your own discretion. And if you’re not happy with it, then ignore the post 🙂

I for one, have been having my own political viewpoint journey – starting from being ignorant, to being a liberal, and now leaning towards the progressive left. 

So Ms Roy’s essays are all about the current political structure of India. She touches upon many of the burning issues plaguing the country supporting each argument she makes with facts. I guess for a leftist like me, they will be facts and the grim reality we need to acknowledge. For a liberal, something to read and for a rightist – fiction or propaganda. The writing is simple, easy to understand and the essays are not too long, for a non fiction political subject.

Ms Roy touches upon a lot of subjects such as casteism, nationalism, right wing fascism, the rise of capitalism, the effect of Covid, Indian and global politics, and the importance of writing in these times.

Few things that I didnt enjoy in this collection were that some of the points and references are repeated over the essays, which could have been avoided. Also, there is a lot of reference and actual passages added in from the author’s latest fiction novel – The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, which act as spoilers for someone like me who hasn’t read the book and wanted to read it 🙂

Have you read this book or any other books by Arundhati Roy?