Kintsugi by Anukrti Upadhyay
Publisher: Fourth Estate India
Pages: 224
Price: Rs. 499 INR(Hardcover), Rs. 189 INR(Kindle Edition)
ISBN: 978–9353579531
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3dfvbCN
My take on the book:
Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese way of mending broken objects using gold; the novel is about women, and men, broken but waiting to find the gold that can mend them, make them complete. Haruko arrives in Jaipur to learn from the sunars of Johri Bazar the traditional method of hand-made jewelry; as she hones her talent by meticulously designing and making unique pieces, she crosses path with Prakash, doctor at the local government hospital. Prakash has been waiting for his fiancé and next-door neighbor Meena to return from Japan after completing her research work.
However, Meena who was known to be stubborn from childhood, refuses to fit into the norms her mother and Prakash’s family want her to confirm to, as she finds solace and peace in Japan and her new acquaintance Yuri. Yuri has her own longing for the mountains, for unrequited love of her mother.
While in Jaipur, Haruko finds her master Munnaji’s daughter Leela inquisitive, with a natural flair for design and deft hands, slowly teaches her the basics and encourages her; but this aspiration of Leela to follow her family’s ancestral profession is considered a sin by the people around her, as jewelry making was to be passed on only to the male heirs of the family.
And then there is Hajime, who longs for belonging, as he struggles to fit into both New York and Japan — never accepted, always standing out as a stranger. Moving between Jaipur and Japan, Kintsugi narrates the story of these strong, rebellious, undeterred women who refuse to fit into societal norms, as they long to mend their broken hearts and souls.
The name of the novel is used as a metaphor for describing the characters of the story, as each part of the book is dedicated for one character and their journey. The author has brilliantly added multiple layers to these characters which are revealed as the story progresses; the process of jewelry making in Jaipur or the scenic Japan, are synonymous to the characters and their traits, which goes deep into exploring each of them. Even the type of jewelry being made, the situations faced for each of them, like Haruko’s broken leg are a metaphor for their emotions.
The reader travels to each of the locations in the story with the author adding even minute details — the narrow lanes of Jaipur filled with aroma of street food, the cherry blossoms, misty mountains in Japan, the turtle watching beaches. The cover design is aesthetic at it closely captures the essence of the story; the conversations between all the characters are deep. Meena as we see her while she narrates her story is different from the Meena Prakash perceives her to be — the various layers to a character are explored by the author through other character’s eyes.
A story of love, loss, and belonging, Kintsugi is a must read — for its strong characters, lyrical prose, and the immersive narration style.
My rating:
5/5.
This review is part of the Blogchatter Book Review Program. https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review-program-from-blogchatter
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A very interesting method of mending broken things-Kintsugi. Never heard of it before. Your review has made me curious to read more.
Thanks for sharing the review. Kintsugi looks like an ideal pick for the weekend .
Firstly thank you for explaining the meaning of the title at the beginning itself.
I hope the essence of these characters is adopted by every woman. We are too tightened by these norms.
Gold – Heart – once broken takes a long time to heal and find life again… thanks for sharing the book review / summary… seems a worthy read, need to check for a copy for myself..
I have read the book to agree with you that it is an exceptional read and the author’s flair for connecting words to elicit the right emotions makes the reader go to different places and experience varying emotions. Loved the review!
I love japanese words they always have some deep meaning. The book seems to be interesting
I enjoyed reading your detailed review. I loved the book too and for exactly the same reasons.
I’ve heard so much about Kintsugi that I guess I must pick it up now. Great review!
This books seems a great read. The short and crisp review is amazing. I m surely gonna grab my copy asap
I really loved the honest review and this looks an amazing read. Will love to check this !!
This seems a different book than most what I read. Would love to pick it up. Adding in my wish list…
Thanks for sharing this review.
Have interacted with this author once on some project hadn’t read the book, am encouraged now
Wow! Seems like an interesting read. Loved your review. I will surely pick up the book for myself and my teenage son.
I have been eyeing this book since it released last month. Totally on my TBR. Thanks for your review.
This book looks very interesting, putting it up on my reading list
This is such a well written review and it looks like an interesting read. Will surely pick it up.
Kintsugi! Ikigai! So much to learn. The novel sounds promising. Will surely give it a read.
Looks interesting. The title itself is so intriguing.
Kintsugi must be so good. I will check out this book as I like strong characters well written. Thanks for writing.
Wow that’s an amazing review of a great book. I’m curious to read this after the review and your rating.
Kintsugi seems new and the plot looks very intriguing in definitely adding this to my TBR. #tmmreads
Thanks for introducing this book to us, I haven’t read or knew about this before. Will definitely check it out.
Hey, its a new book, just been around for a month or so. Its awesome, hope you too like it!
Will so love to read it 😊
I must say that you followed exact correct format for reviewing a book which is so good!