"The Opium Toffee" by Khushwant Singh || A love story that transcends violence, oppression, addiction, and guilt
The author’s keen eye for details makes the fields of rural
Punjab, the schools and houses of Chandigarh, and the opulence of luxury London
hotels come alive in vibrant colors. After living through a realistic portrayal
of the pastel-hued world of young romance juxtaposed against times that were
getting more and more unpredictable with each passing day, through Mr Singh’s
highly visual prose, I found it easy to overlook the slightly Bollywood-like
beginning when Shabnam identifies Ajit through a song he used to sing in his
school days. Even here, one cannot but praise Mr Singh for his ability to bring
scenes to life as the reader turns pages.
Shabnam Singh’s open challenge to the rampant patriarchy,
her rise to glamour and fame against all odds, and her capacity to love and forgive
make this more Shabnam’s story, than Ajit’s. And this is where the author is the
most successful as well – despite the morbid times a large part of the story is set
in, the author is able to tell a compelling tale of triumph, bravery, large-heartedness,
and, above all, forgiveness. The book, therefore, leaves the reader with a
feeling of redemption and peace.
Another note that I would like to add to this review is about
an inspiring initiative Mr Singh undertook while this book was being published –
he made The Opium Story go green. He approached the Hoshiarpur Literary
Society, who in turn collaborated with the Punjab Forest Department, to plant
1500 saplings to offset the release of greenhouse gases that happens during the
publishing process. Click
here to find out more.
The book is soon being made into a web series. This is the third of Mr Singh's books to be adapted to visual medium. Other books by the author that are being adapted are Maharaja in Denims (historical fiction based on the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) and Turbaned Tornado (biography of veteran athlete Fauja Singh). Mr Singh is also the author of The People's Maharaja (authorized biography of the former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh).
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