By Karen McCarraher
Baadal lives in the Town which is dependent on the River. Because of a long drought, the river is drying up and those who depend on it for food and water are starving.
Baadal describes a childhood of poverty and constant hunger. When he finishes school, he does not get a job because there are none. Baadal becomes enamored of an older, married woman named Meena. Baadal follows her around and tries to do small things for her. Meena’s husband is very abusive and eventually he and Meena divorce. She is thrown out of her husband’s house with very few possessions.
When she sets up camp along the river with other homeless people, Baadal sees his chance. He visits her every day and finally convinces her to marry him. They go to the local registrar and get married the very same day. But when Baadal brought his wife home to his parent’s house, his mother had a fit. She called Meena names and would not let her in the house. A few days later, Baadal and Meena left for the City to try to find food, housing and work.
Baadal eventually did well in the city. When his father became ill, he went home every weekend (without Meena) and took food and money to his parents. But he never spoke to his mother. When his father died, he did not go home on any more weekends.
The River, The Town is a story about poverty, homelessness, starvation and the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the people living in the Town. The story is told in rotating perspectives by various members of Baadal’s family—his mother, his sisters, and his deceased brother. It shows how poverty can affect family dynamics. It is well written and an interesting read.
Farah Ali is from Pakistan. She has written a number of short stories which have been well received by critics. This is her first novel.
The River, The Town is published by: Dzanc Books, 2580 Craig Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 and is available at www.Amazon.com