Vichhoda: Book Review



Title: Vichchoda
Author: Harinder Sikka
Genre: Fiction

The author of 'Calling Sehmat' returns with a book that has another powerful woman protagonist.

In 1947 the barbaric riots wreck humanity. Amidst this is a Sikh woman who has been rescued from the jaws of death. After losing her family, Bibi Amrit Kaur begins a new chapter in her life in a new country where she gets married and has 2 sons. An unforeseen horrific incident breaks her life apart and she is transported across the border-far from her family.

Bibi thrives in pain but clings on to the hope that she might reunite with her sons again.Will she eventually do so?

Vichhoda is apparently based on a true story that describes some heart wrenching incidents. The book captures the horrors of post partition era where homes were burnt down, woman were preyed upon to quench the lustful desire of certain men and heinous crimes committed due to intolerance. The author takes us through the 1965 Indo-Pak war and showcases the resilient stance of Bibi during grave times.

The theme of spirituality is largely touched upon here. Vichhoda is emotional and melodramatic which makes it ideal to be adapted into a motion picture. While I'd have liked to see a little more depth in some characters, Vichhoda manages to leave an impact on the readers.

Comments

Unknown said…
Vichhoda its very true and heart touched story.
8:05 PM
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