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Shadows at Noon
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
6 posts | 1 read | 2 to read
A groundbreaking view of South Asian history in the twentieth century that underlines the similarities and intertwined cultures of India and Pakistan [A] definitive new 20th-century thematic history of the Indian subcontinent that rejects hegemonic conceptions of national difference.Financial Times This radically original and ambitious history of the Indian subcontinent explores the regions unique twentieth-century history and foregrounds the deep connections, rather than the well-publicized fissures, between the cultures of India and Pakistan. Taking the partitions of British India rather than the two world wars as the centurys inflection points, Joya Chatterji examines how issues of nationalism, internal and external migration, and technological innovation contributed to South Asias tumultuous twentieth century. Chatterji weaves together elements of her autobiography and family history; stories of such legendary figures as Tagore, Jinnah, Gandhi, and Nehru; and, in particular, the accounts of the many who were left behind and marginalized in relentless nation-building projects. Chatterji examines the countries mirroring patterns in state building, social and cultural life, modes of leisure, consumption, and oppression, and offers a timely course correction to our understanding of the dynamics of South Asian history. It reframes the events of the twentieth century that are continuing to play out in the present day.
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review
Hooked_on_books
Hooked_on_books
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
post image
Bailedbailed

I‘m being honest with myself—I‘m never going to read this book. I started it months ago and was immediately stymied, as it read to me like a book one needs to have some knowledge of Indian history going in to understand and I just don‘t. Since, it has just sat, and today is the day I admit it isn‘t going to happen.

Soubhiville Bindi clearly thinks that‘s the right choice. ❤️🐶 1mo
BkClubCare Aw… #hailthebail 1mo
squirrelbrain It‘s still partly read on my shelf too….. 1mo
Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville She‘s been trying to convince me for months! She‘s so proud that I finally saw she was right. 😉 1mo
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain I really only ever read about 25 pages or so. I just felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story in progress. I‘ll have to find another book on Indian history someday. 1mo
52 likes5 comments
blurb
Leniverse
Leniverse
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
post image

I did it!
As in, I finished this absolute tome of a history book and with it I reached my yearly goal of 12 non-fiction books. And there's even a month and a half left for me to add a couple more (much shorter and faster reads).
#NonFictionNovember #WomensPrize #NonFiction

TrishB Well done- this looks like a big read! 3mo
Suet624 Congrats! 3mo
Deblovestoread Fantastic! 3mo
AmyG Huzzah! 3mo
Ruthiella Nice work! 👏👏👏 3mo
33 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
Leniverse
Leniverse
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
post image

This chapter about family dynamics, patriarchy, and women's (lack of) rights in India in the 20th century was both fascinating and horrifying. A reminder that for a really good chunk of history and a vast amount of human societies women have had a really effing rotten deal. Some of the case studies/examples were really difficult to read about. (But also, shout out to the OG Bandit Queen, Phoolan Devi. Badass to the max.)

29 likes
quote
Leniverse
Leniverse
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
post image

The wording here! ?

"At the time of writing Sheikh Hasina is the prime minister of Bangladesh; but Mujib's death was followed by three military coups in quick succession."

Hasina was still PM at the time of publication, just, and the 5th coup in 50 years was more a student uprising (eventually) backed by the military. (And no assassination) Still, the way that sentence goes seems almost prescient.

30 likes
blurb
rockpools
rockpools
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
post image

Shadows at Noon and train journeys at sunset.

Not the easiest read so far, but really interesting…

julesG Love the photo 12mo
rockpools @julesG Thank you ☺️. You probably can‘t see, but there are a lot of seabirds living on those wrecks. 12mo
squirrelbrain Ooh, did you go with the ebook? I haven‘t got much further than the first chapter. Because I now own the book, library books are taking priority. Lovely pic - and we‘re really starting to see it get lighter at both ends of the day - hooray! 12mo
See All 6 Comments
TrishB Lovely pic ♥️ 12mo
rockpools @TrishB It was a lovely evening. Which is more than can be said for the weather at 2 this morning. It was LOUD! 12mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain I did! And obviously library books *should* be priority - but I don‘t like lugging hardbacks about, so started this for trains. And apparently I need the dictionary - I keep having to look up (English!) words, so ebook was a good call for me. I‘m still on the first chapter (it‘s long!) but I do like reading about places that I didn‘t know I didn‘t know about. It‘s quite dense though! 12mo
40 likes6 comments
blurb
squirrelbrain
squirrelbrain
Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century | Joya Chatterji
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A week ago I definitely wasn‘t going to even consider reading any of the Women‘s Prize for NF.

Fast forward to today and, oops, look what arrived….the two biggest books on the long list. I also have everything else (apart from 1 that I don‘t want to read) reserved at the library or on BorrowBox or NG. 🤷‍♀️

I‘m looking forward to Shadows, despite its size, as I think it will be a great companion piece to A Suitable Boy.

charl08 Wow! This is quite a commitment 👏 12mo
TheBookHippie I want to read both of these! 12mo
jlhammar Those both sound very good! 12mo
See All 18 Comments
TrishB Shadows looks fab. 12mo
MicheleinPhilly 😂 I knew you‘d cave. 12mo
rockpools Shadows sounds amazing. But I might wait for your opinion before I buy it! I really am liking the list tho. 12mo
youneverarrived Looking forward to your reviews on these 😍 I love that they‘re doing a NF prize now. I read Matrescence recently. Will have to see what‘s available at the library. 12mo
BarbaraBB Hahah I just read your email. You‘re so predictable 😃😘 12mo
LeeRHarry I eagerly await your reviews 😊 12mo
squirrelbrain @youneverarrived - I assumed we‘d be on the same library system (North Yorks)but I just checked and York seems to sit outside of that - weird! 12mo
AnneCecilie I‘m on the waiting list at the library for Eve. Shadows looks so daunting, looking forward to your thoughts on it (edited) 12mo
squirrelbrain @rockpools @AnneCecilie - just started Shadows. It begins with the more political stuff, which is less interesting to me, but the style still feels very accessible. I think I‘m going to like it. 12mo
youneverarrived That is strange 🤔 I‘ve had a look and they seem to have quite a few of the list! I‘ve reserved Eve and Doppelganger as those are the ones I‘m most interested in. (edited) 12mo
rockpools A slightly silly question, Helen (just for a change!). Does shadows have pictures? If so, are they integral to the text? I‘m debating between ebook and audio, because this is never going to stand a chance for me in print! 12mo
squirrelbrain @rockpools - not a silly question at all. Had to go and look as I haven‘t got very far yet. (Library books from the list taking priority as they need to go back!) There‘s a few maps at the start but very small so not that useful. There are two photograph sections but not integral or necessary at all. There a LOT of notes, bibliography etc - nearly 200 pages so I‘m not sure if that will influence your choice. 12mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain Thanks so much Helen - that‘s really helpful! I‘m hoping for at least 2 library holds to show up on the van tomorrow, and will break out an ebook if not. Thank you! 12mo
squirrelbrain I just picked up another 2 NF long list library holds @rockpools so now I‘m reading 72 of the list - maybe not quite that many but it feels like it! 😬 12mo
rockpools @squirrelbrain 😂😂😂 That is VERY impressive! Not sure how you do it Helen. 12mo
75 likes18 comments