Oct 05, 2007 10:38 AM
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(Updated Oct 05, 2007 03:05 PM)
Gifted, the name appeared in India Today Book Review, what struck me was its different story and the fact that this debut novel was nominated for Booker’s in some category.
This is the story of Rumika Vasania 9 year kid living in Cardiff. Her family comprises of a professor father(Mahesh), a working Mom(Shreene) and a 9 year younger brother(Nimbu).
Rumi’s lives the life of an average child till the day, her teacher Mrs. Gold comes to her home and tells her parents that their child is Gifted, A gifted Mathematician to be precise.
Thereon starts the struggle of this kid, a struggle to fulfill her father’s dream. He wants Rumi to finish her A Levels at the age of 15 years(would like somebody to clarify the education system). Her father wants to prove that despite being an Asian he can get his daughter admitted to Oxford on her own merit and without any help from anybody.
The story is about
## Rumi’s struggle to prove her father that she is focused enough.
## About Rumi’s life being centered around studies & Math’s per se.
## Its about the kid having normal fantasies for her age but them being curbed.
## About Rum’s mother who thinks that she should instill the cultural values which should be there in an Indian girl.
## About Rumi’s kid brother who wants to play with her sister but is not allowed to, so how he snatches moments with her is quite endearing.
Few disturbing excerpts from the book
“The absence of Mahesh left her off centre, nervous and hungry for the rush of feelings that crept into her unmonitored heart with each new stimulus. She was freed from the guiding signals of his face, the expressions of affirmation, suspicion & disapproval that had been her barometer for so long.”
These are the thoughts of Rumi and sadly show how dependent on her father she is and a clear lack of confidence.
‘I’ll do it’, she said, standing behind Mahesh, viewing his back with venom. You, disgust me, not just the other way round, she thought. You didn’t even have the guts to close the deal, tighten your grip when you put your hands round my neck….
Is anything in this world worthy enough if it generates this much hatred from your own kid?
The book is quite slow in parts but there is an undercurrent of sadness in the whole story which affects you.
Things which I carried back with me
* Is putting pressure on a kid the right way to make her perform?
* How fair is it to isolate your kid from a normal life just to attain an academic goal?
* We are always creating a hue and cry on racism but, sometimes it is not in the minds of people whom we think are being racist but its in our minds & imagination that it is being practiced on us.
* Being frank with your kids and creating a balance between education and other activities is a must.
* Her mother’s character is also very disturbing. I carried it back with me for a long time. Her frustrations of not being able to do anything for daughter are captured very well. He rsadness on her daughter drifting away from her is heart wrenching.
*I’ll recommend this book specially to people who have kids and to everyone in general . The debutant author has very beautifully captured the mind of a 15 year old kid. Who is not being allowed to behave like a teenager.
It somehow is very close to reality, the reality of ever increasing competion in education and a strive to leave everyone behind to reach the top. But when you reach at the top you realise you are not only alone but bitter too.
