Songs of Freedom: Postcard from the Lushai Brigade by Hannah Lalhlanpuii
My take on the book:
In 1942, in pre-independence India, in the Lushai Hills in Aizawl of Mizoram, a young boy Bawiha lived with his elder brother Kima, his mother and his grandmother whom he called Api. After Bawiha’s father passed away due to Tuberculosis, his mother worked at the bungalow of Mr McCall, the superintendent of The British administration. Soon Bawiha also joined his mother as the mother-son duo worked hard all day in Mrs McCall’s kitchen.
Bawiha grew up listening to the stories narrated by his Api about superheroes with magical powers. He was fascinated by these stories and imagined that these superheroes existed and longed to see them in action someday. However, life changed for the residents of this sleepy town when war comes calling, after Japanese troops attacked and drove away the British troops from Burma, the next destination seems India and specifically the Northeast border.
When there is a call for volunteers to enroll in the British Indian Army, in anticipation for the impending war, Kima promptly applies and is also selected. When the first army vehicle arrives in the town, when training begins for these selected young boys — the locals are in awe of everything about the war and kids like Bawiha are thrilled at the prospect of holding a real gun. What does the postcard from Kima bring to his kid brother and family forms the rest of the story.
The story begins with the fascination the young lad had for heroes with magical powers and ends with him realizing what it means to be a hero in real life. The story highlights the ugly truth of war and how it affects the common people while those in power use them as pawns. The surroundings of Aizawl and the Lushai Hills is vividly described by the author.
The irony of the British rule in India is also well captured by the author. There are not many books written in the context of Lushai Hills in the Indian history or specially about the Northeast region and its historical significance, hence this book will be a good pick for young kids to learn about this important topic. The highlight of the book however is the heartwarming bond shared by the brothers. The poems by Api are a bonus and are soothing as well as thought provoking.
Highly recommend this book to everyone, especially young adults as it makes for an important read to know about the freedom struggle and the significance the Northeastern region of India played in it.
My rating:
5/5.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile
Matheikal
Any novel set in the Northeast elicits my interest, maybe because I lived in Shillong for 15 years. Loved your review.
kiranmayi
That’s wonderful to know that this post reached someone who lived around the area this book is set in. And thanks for the kind words about the review.
Preeti Chauhan
The fact that this novel is set in pre-independence North East India is enough to rouse my interest, a well-narrated story with well-etched characters like Api and Bawiha is indeed a joy to read. Thanks for the review.
Manali
Nicely reviewed, Kiranmayi.
Your 5/5 had compelled me to check out the book
Swarnali Nath
The author has chosen a nice plot on the lesser-known areas of India. Any book written on the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle grabs my attention. Thanks for sharing your review, got to know a new book to add to my TBR list.
Aishwariya Laxmi
I have read very few books set in the Northeast. I reviewed a book called Name Place Animal Thing on my blog. Maybe it would be of interest to you. Meanwhile, I think I should pick up this book to educate myself. Link to that post – https://aishwariyalaxmi.com/2021/10/03/name-place-animal-thing/
Tarang
Sounds like an interesting read. I am interested in books set in North-east. I haven’t read many. Just Janice Pariat’s books, I think. I posted a tweet recently asking about books from North-east. Thank you for your review.
Ambica Gulati
I have read about these Songs of Freedom series in another post. This book sounds like a must read, I love reading regional stories as they are educative and open our minds to how people see things in other parts of the country. In this case, this little boy sees the reality of war and the turbulence that comes with it. It’s a shattering thought to see your dreams broken and your hero is only your own courage.
Ahana Rao
“The story begins with the fascination the young lad had for heroes with magical powers and ends with him realizing what it means to be a hero in real life.” I think this line is something special. Lovely review! I’m loving the exploration and awareness that authors are bringing to their audiences.
Harshita Nanda
You said it very well, that the battles of World War II in the north-east of India, are not well known. Even in adult literature, very few books in mainstream cover that area. Your review has certainly piqued my interest.
Prasanna Raghavan
Your review is inspiring to captivate my interest in the book. It took me to a place I had only heard of and to a time of repressed freedom for its inhabitants and the hard realisation of a young adult how life differs from the childhood fantasy introduced through storytelling. Have an excellent time and Cheers!
Sonia Dogra
It is strange how some regions in the world are totally overlooked when it comes to their contribution in terms of important historical events. The smaller states in India have always suffered in this bargain. Thanks for highlighting this book.
Writenlive
Lovely review! I am so interested in reading about the Lushai hills and people’s lives there.
Samata
You gave a crisp and interesting summary of the plot of the story of this book. I am trying to predict what can be the climax of the story which I will ask you separately but I believe what I thought is correct as in most of these war plot movies and novels such endings I have witnessed very commonly. By the way the review is very well penned to make one curious to read the same.
Sakshi
My spouse’s grandfather fought in battles of world war II from India’s Northeast corner down to the Andaman islands. I am intrigued by your review. The book appears to be well written to depict the impact of war on families. You are right, it’s good for young adults to learn about India’s north-east.
Tulika
I have read very few books set in the North Eastern part of India. Even fewer about Indians in WW2. This sounds like a good read.
Cindy DSilva
This seems like a good book yet not my genre. Will surely ask my daughter to give it a shot in a few years. right now she’s loving fiction.
Charvi Koul
The cover is really pretty even though this isn’t the kind of book I’d pick up. Great review!
Ninu Nair
You reviewed this book so beautifully, it really piqued my interest. I have not read much about the North East in fiction, and Kima seems such an endearing character to read, so I’m definitely going to pick this one.
Janaki
Interesting review because it’s not too long and is just enough to pique our interest. I’ve never picked up any books on the North-East. It’s time I should, I guess.
Nikita Jhanglani
Such a beautifully written review; reviews like this one really inspire to pen my thoughts more often, so congratulations on that 😀 The premise is definitely interesting, and given the current events, it is so important for the world to understand the lasting consequences of war. Hopefully literature like this one will bring awareness and peace to the world. Definitely going on my TBR!
Ahana Rao
This definitely sounds like a book that the reader can feel the weight and importance of. You’ve highlighted the theme of this book really well without giving away too much at the same time. You’re right; definitely a book for young adults and adults to read to expand awareness and understanding.
Noor Anand Chawla
Sounds like a subject that will definitely appeal to me. I’ll add it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing.
Ujjwal Mishra
The location of the story seems interesting, I will add it to my TBR thanks to your review. liked it.
Shalini R
Pre-Independence and North East India. I am sold! Thank you for letting us know about this book by featuring in your blog post. I will definitely be picking this up soonest.
Sukaina
I love all the books in these duckbill series of this theme. Thanks for sharing this review.
Ritu Bindra
Quite a lot of books on the pre-independence and partition era have been published in the past couple of years, but very few have gone beyond Punjab. This is the first one I have heard about that explores the seven sisters. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR after an all-star rating from you. Thanks for sharing about it.
Thank you so much for participating in the blog hop, Kiranmayi.