Title: A Revolution In The Valley (Chronicles of Courage series)
Author: Bijal Vachharajani
Published by: Duckbill (An imprint of Penguin Random House)
Length: 200 pages
Type: Paperback
Age recommendation: 9 years and above
Acclaimed author, Bijal Vachharajani’s latest book A Revolution In The Valley is a part of the ‘Chronicles of Courage’ series which explores watershed moments in post-Independence India.
This epistolary novel covers key environmental issues: The Silent Valley’s anti-dam movement in Kerala and the Mangrove conservation in Bombay.
The year is 1978 and India is in the throes of change. Development vs Preservation. Change vs Conservation.
We are introduced to two tween girls – Jenny from Palakkad, who becomes pen pals with Teesta in Bombay. Jenny is a feisty girl who is fascinated by the biodiversity of the Silent Valley forest, especially the lion tailed macaque. Teesta is an unassuming girl who dreams of “finding her voice” and becoming a journalist. Through their frank and candid letters, the girls forge a close sisterhood where they hold each other up through their trying teenage years.
The girls brainstorm ways to contribute to the conservation of these key ecosystems.
This eco-fiction book also explores human emotions: single-parenting, middle class aspirations, patriarchy and domestic violence. All these heavy issues are viewed and expressed through the innocent eyes of a child and some parts were truly heartbreaking for me to read.
There are a couple of parallel story lines, but they don’t take the sparkle away from the two main storylines of Teesta and Jenny. The story is meticulously researched and I was fascinated to read about the correspondence between various key figures (Dr. M S Swaminathan and Salim Ali being among the names).
I really enjoyed learning about the rich flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.
The language and the pace flows like the Kunthipuzha river: the friendly banter between the kids seamlessly blending with the serious geo-political discussions around this movement. The story keeps the readers engaged and you feel yourself immersed into Jenny and Teesta’s worlds: rooting for conservation of the Silent Valley and the Mangroves.
I loved how the author has peppered the book with facts: do you know how the Silent Valley got it’s name? There are adorable cartoons doodled in between the letters as well.
The author re-creates the 1970’s & 80’s with cultural references to movies, political watershed moments (Emergency) and the cricket World Cup victory.
This book successfully enlightens us about how it’s important to hold onto our roots as we branch out towards development. We realise that you are never too young to bring about a change. It teaches us the importance of finding one’s voice and backing yourself when the going gets tough.
We have seen numerous similar movements in India where people fight to preserve some verdant green in the concrete jungle. And why not, we owe it to our future generations.
Thank you, Bijal for writing this beautiful book. It feels like a legacy being handed over to the younger kids so that they can learn about how people of this country historically fought for Mother Nature.
Other books in this series:
Caught in the Crossfire (Chronicles of Courage): A Novel of the Bangladesh War of 1971
Darkness at Star Mills (Chronicles of Courage Series): A Novel of the Bombay Mill Strike of 1982
All books authored by Bijal Vachharajani can be found here on Amazon.
If you enjoyed this review and wish to know more about this eco-sisterhood, you can order the book from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),
CLICK & BUY NOW!Disclaimer: Sowmya is a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.
