Shoes of the Dead is a thriller, focusing on farmer suicides and the politics surrounding the situation. At the core of the book, Sudhakar Bhadra, a farmer who has not had a good year and has the burden of debt, kills himself. The story spins into action from hereon. The district committee of Mityala does not care to look into the incident. Moreover, they do not want to compensate his widow as well. The farmers brother Gangiri wants to fight for his brothers cause, no matter what. In all this is but of course the politicians role to play Keyur Kashinath, first-time Member of Parliament from Mityala and heir to his father Vaishnav Kashinaths throne has to deal with the very first crisis of his political career. There on starts the battle between the two, each facing his own demons, and wanting to do the right thing, as per him.
This in short is the plot of the book. A lot happens on almost every single page. The twists and turns almost become predictable after a point, but do not take away the books solid structure and plot. The political angle is dealt with excellently and no parts are left hanging, without any closure. The story may seem straightforward; however it has many layers to it. All in all, Shoes of the Dead makes for a great afternoon read.
Description:
The author sets a collision course between an ambitious politician and a persecuted brother fuelled by the farmer suicides in recent times. An astute treatise into the politics of rural India, Kota bares the story of the arid Vidarbha region of the Maharashtra and the ensuing politics that threaten to engulf the region.
Summary Of The BookThe Vidarbha region and its countless farmers are all struggling under the weight of successive droughts, unjust politics and debts-ridden lives. Sudhakar Bhadra buckles and commits suicide due to multiple debts, but his wife doesnt receive any compensation from the Mityala district committee. They fake the account of his death as they have done with countless others who have all been denied any redress. Gangiri, the brother of the deceased Sudhakar leaves his life in the city to fight the injustice of the system.
In his attempts to vilify the arrogant and unscrupulous officials and moneylenders at whose hands his brother lost his life, leads him to Keyur Kashinath. Keyur is the son of Vaishnav Kashinath, the general secretary of the Democratic Party and he plans to contend for elections from Mityala. Gangiris vendetta for justice is a complete deviation from the ideal picture he needs to paint to ensure his place among the body of the elected and therein lays the conflict
The chain of events that Gangiri sets off in an attempt to validate the suicides committed by the farmers is threatening the ambitious young politician who is predestined to inherit the legacy of his father.
The seedy world of politics aside, the soul of this enlightening read are the farmers of the Vidarbha region as the author brings to light several repugnant and horrifying realities faced by these people. As the fight between the world of politics and farmers grow in clamor and chaos, the question remains as to whether Gangiri is finally able to repair the system? Or is the system beyond repair and what does that truth entail for Gangiri?
Shoes Of The Dead is an engrossing read and as a political thriller it exonerates the truth behind agriculture and the associated politics that cripple its very growth. The book was published by Rupa Publications in 2013.
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Shoes of the Dead price in India is ₹344.00 on 27th Apr 2024
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