Favourite books of 2021

                                                

The most edifying and stimulating books that I read in 2021, in no particular order.

Contested Lands, Sumantra Bose

An advanced introduction into some of the most intractable conflicts that plague the world, namely Israel-Palestine, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Kashmir and Bosnia. Although academic in character, it is written in lucid language which makes it an engrossing read even for a non-academic audience. Although I have certain disagreements with some of the author’s assessments, it is definitely an important book to read! See my full review here.

 




Indian Summer, Alex von Tunzelmann

This one was delightful! Growing up indoctrinated into believing in the infallibility of the leaders of the Indian anti-colonial movement, especially Gandhi, I derived great pleasure reading about the peccadilloes and not-so-minor shortcomings in their character. Moreover, it is a fascinating retelling of the movement through the personal lives of the most influential individuals, that is rooted in history and steers clear of the reverential folklore. The amour between Nehru and Edwina is my favourite strand. See my full review here.






The Power of Geography, Tim Marshall

Nice and engaging with the inimitable style of Tim Marshall. But I felt it was slightly less interesting than the more popular prequel Prisoners of Geography. A well-written book, nonetheless, and worth reading. See a longer review here.

 

The Satanic Force, Part 1

An incredible masterpiece! Though it is not strictly a book and is a compendium of news articles, op-ed pieces, statements, letters and speeches, it is a must-read for anyone who tries to understand the nefarious nature of Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War in 1987 and the horrors that followed in the ordinary lives of Tamil people. The same army that airlifted food and medical supplies to Jaffna, much to the fury of the Sinhala-Buddhists, in Operation Poomalai, would brutalise and traumatise the residents of the same city three months later. Compiled by the LTTE, the Satanic Force is a heart-rending tome that narrates a sordid and sanguinary episode in South Asian history that much of the world has long forgotten. The second and third parts are equally voluminous, probably because the atrocities against Tamils raged into the next couple of years.




Adolphe, Benjamin Constant

This is nothing short of a universal statement of love. It explores in great depth and precision all aspects of love - the anticipation, the enchantment, the thrill, the pleasure, the desperation, the frustration, the anguish and the agony. The supreme virtue of this succinct yet compelling originally French novel is its rich prose. If anyone believed language is sometimes unable to express the whole depth and gamut of human emotions, this book would tell him otherwise! See my full review here.




The Hundred Years War on Palestine, Rashid Khalidi

A cogent account of the subjugation of Palestine by a movement of settler-colonialism. Though not comprehensive in historical detail, Prof. Khalidi’s work would complement any study of Palestinian resistance.



Exit West, Mohsin Hamid

This is not a great novel. But I’ve included it in this list because of its realistic depiction of a city in war. The situation that people found themselves in, as described in the first parts of the book, was strikingly similar to that faced by those immured in their houses during the Covid-imposed lockdown. Though the book becomes steadily stodgy after the first 50 pages, the author intended to portray the predicament of refugees and attract sympathy, which he managed to do to a certain extent. Therefore, Exit West is worth a mention. See my full review here. 

Tamil Characters, A.R. Venkatachalapathy

This is an excellent introduction to Tamil Nadu politics, culture and literature by one of few Tamil writers whose command of English is very satisfactory. I personally enjoyed the section on culture as it introduced me to some major novelists and story-writers whom I hadn't hitherto known. It greatly whetted my appetite for Tamil literature and I'm particularly keen to read Cho. Dharman's Koogai. I also hope to reread it in bits and parts some time in the future as a guide for my foray into Tamil literature. I messaged Prof. Chalapathy about this once I finished reading the book, and he told me to prepare for my degree at the London School of Economics (LSE). 


Arguing about War, Michael Walzer

I picked it up with a curiosity to learn the legal underpinnings of war. Though lacking in depth, this book is written in perspicuous language and does not require a prior knowledge of the law. It engages with some major debates and makes a good fist of introducing key ideas that shape the theoretical background of war. A good start to further exploration.



S.J.V. Chelvanayakam and the Crisis of Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism, A.J. Wilson

Rich in historical detail and engaging in content. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the circumstances and the vicissitudes that shaped the life and decisions of the foremost figure of the peaceful struggle for Tamil liberation and how he in turn shaped them. One major problem for me was that it was far too much about the circumstances and not about the man himself. I’d have loved to learn more about the personal life of Chelvanayakam, his education in the UK, his penchant for the law, his predilection for India, his favourite books and historical figures, and similar things in a book that purports to be his biography. This book is more of a political history of Ceylon during Chelvanayakam’s era than a biography of himself.