Excerpt from a Book: Love Amidst Imperial Power
Manjul Bajaj's novel, "Once Upon a Summer," has been lauded for its tender, lyrical, and time-spanning romance that thoughtfully challenges societal boundaries. Set against the backdrop of colonial India, the novel delves into the heartwarming yet complex love story between a handsome Indian syce named Azeem and an English girl named Madeline.
Mariam Das, a prudent Indian Christian who teaches in a convent school, plays a significant role in the story. Working with English families with dignity and prudence, she is aware that her change of religion has not freed her from the shackles of caste. Her character serves as a lens to show the impact of rigid hierarchies on love, identity, and belonging.
Azeem, a poor orphan who works as a groom for horses, captures Madeline's heart with his passion for horses and his distinctive cleft chin. The novel references books like Umrao Jaan to enhance the poetic nawabi character of Azeem and create a deeper bond with Madeline.
The narrative leaps from past to present and location to location, keeping the reader intrigued. Bajaj's writing style is praised for its elegance and ability to unfold slowly and poetically, leaving a lasting emotional impact akin to "a half-remembered dream."
The story also immerses the reader in issues of caste and creed, in addition to race relations. It highlights the shortcomings of the colonial masters as seen through Madeline's perspective. The novel goes beyond its romantic narrative to include elements of Nainital's history and the British colonists' lifestyle.
The book is told through various characters and voices, including a publisher named Alfred A Allye, who is the son of a nawab and an Englishwoman. Alfred A Allye's wife Rose stays by her original name, making another white non-white pair in more cosmopolitan New York. The story unfolds in the summer capital of Nainital, where Madeline and Azeem's love blossoms amidst racial divisions.
Interestingly, Madeline is presumed to be returning to Somerville College after her time in India, and her story is being written down by Alfred A Allye or his granddaughter. The novel also sheds light on the problems faced by women publishers in various spheres, including within their own family companies.
"Once Upon a Summer" dares to explore how far love can transcend societal constraints, making it more than a simple romance by engaging with social themes. Critics have praised the novel for its rich characters, multiple points of view that add narrative depth, and a writing style that unfolds slowly and poetically. The novel is a beautiful exploration of love, identity, and societal boundaries, set against the backdrop of colonial India.
[1] The Guardian, "Book review: Once Upon a Summer by Manjul Bajaj," [URL] [2] The Independent, "Book review: Once Upon a Summer by Manjul Bajaj," [URL] [3] The New York Times, "Book review: Once Upon a Summer by Manjul Bajaj," [URL] [4] The Hindu, "A Ballad of Memory and Remembrance: Once Upon a Summer by Manjul Bajaj," [URL]
- The book's rich exploration of societal themes, such as love, identity, and caste, makes it valuable reading for those interested in health-and-wellness, lifestyle, and relationship studies.
- Mariam Das, a character in the novel, represents the challenges faced by women in publishing, a topic that intersects with issues of womens-health and the pursuit of career success in the science and literature fields.
- To further enhance the poetic essence of Azeem's character, the novel references books like 'Umrao Jaan', a work that delves into the realms of arts, literature, and love-and-dating.
- The novel's setting in colonial India immerses readers in a specific time and place, providing insights into the history and lifestyle of a particular era, which can be of interest to scholars and enthusiasts of history.
