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Scenes From Early Life (2012)

by Philip Hensher(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0007433700 (ISBN13: 9780007433704)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Fourth Estate

review 1: This book is described as a novel but on closer examination it is the author adapting the memories of his husbands life and family history in Bangladesh before and after its independence from Pakistan in 1971,and creating a novel from them. What I liked about the book is that whilst the family are middle class; Saadi the childs father and grandfather are lawyers, live in a big house in Dacca, and are friendly with laeding artists and even the eventual president, it is not a tale of dramatic privations and suffering for them, but it tells you enough to realise what a dramatic period this was and doesn't shy away from some horrible situations. So there is the contradiction of a family wedding as people are starving and begging in the streets and through individual stories we... more learn of the violence of the Pakistani army/police towards the Bengalis often with images which are observed by children, the persecution of a culture through educational oppression (a wonderful chapter about a state appointed teacher coming into a school and requiring that Bengali poetry not be taught), and the effect upon a society where some Bengali's have betrayed their neighbours made more poignant when children are told not to play with other children. The narrative is disjointed as we move back and forth around the period however it doesn't feel so and I really enjoyed the read. Some characters are very well drawn particularly the two musicians, and the family relationships are brilliantly portrayed. I certainly came away feeling I had learnt a lot about the Bengali society and culture and interested to read more about that period of history. An interesting and entertaining book with a heart portraying an image of Bangladesh society not often seen in western culture.
review 2: The story of the author, Philip Hersher's husband, Saadi's early life in Bangladesh is both heartwarming and intriguing. From a middle class family background Saadi's story follows the lives of his close and extended family during the conflicts within Pakistan (incl. Bangladesh) during the late sixties and early seventies. I really enjoy delving into another culture and someone else's own life story so I was already bound to enjoy this memoir. The wiring style is easy to follow and captures every moment beautifully. What's annoying is that Hersher is now a professor of creative writing at my old university! (He joined staff in 2012, the year after I graduated) I would love to have been able to have a chat with him! I'll be keeping an eye out for his other works in the future! less

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