Calling Sehmat: A patriotic tryst by India's Daughter de

jhsurti

You have summarized the book very well and there is not much that I can add in terms of how good the book is. But I felt it could have been edited a bit tightly, in the sense that towards the end, a couple of chapters did not contribute to the main story-line, which is actually about Sehmat. What information she brought in, was made clear earlier. But how that information was put to use, could have been done with in a few paragraphs. There was no need to add full two chapters to the narrative since it breaks the continuity. It takes your mind off the main character of whom you are reading! You, as a reader, are experiencing the turmoil and the mental anguish of this lady, what she is going through, what she is fighting within, the conflict of her conscience. And the writer abruptly changes tracks away from her! My advice to those who have started reading this, skip the 2 chapters(you'll know when you are there) and read on after that. You can come back to those chapters after you finish. It'll be more satisfying.Salute to the brave lady.

cynic

Enjoyed reading your review, Shivani. Was looking forward to it

My two cents....

The book explores the transformation of a young girl into a spy, and later into a no holds barred one without the usual dramatics. You have summarised it really well. Kudos to Lt. Cdr. Sikka for that. He also delved into the depression post her return. Soldiers are glorified for their bravery but rarely do we see the dark side such as PTSD and living with the guilt of killing another man.

What did not work for me in the book was the human touch. Did Sehmat love her husband or was he a means to an end? What about her relationship with others in the family. Somewhere she felt too cold with the 'Sorry Mehboob, you have to die too' bit. Maybe it is the way the author presented it, or it is the way I read it.

@jhsurti: Ditto on the editing. The last few chapters were disconnected. It was as if the Navy man had to pay homage to his corp. Navy is always considered the last in the pecking order, but the book was not the place to make a point.

I caught the movie too. That is a different story. While it did away with the unnecessary stuff, it also ended up turning a few characters on their head. Iqbal in the book was a weak man. Mir was a hindu. The list goes on.

cynic

Meself 23-5-2018 04:06 PM
The book was originally published in 2008 after getting due permission from Sehmat and her son. Bu ...

I'm confused. Wasn't the boook published in 2008? I didn't get the 'It wasn't made public' bit.

jhsurti

cynic 23-5-2018 10:27 PM
I'm confused. Wasn't the boook published in 2008? I didn't get the 'It wasn't made public' bit.

Wikipedia mentions the original publishing date of 2008 with revised edition published in 2018. Confusing. What needed to be revised?

Meself

From what I read from various sources is that the books as originally published in 2008 and then pulled back. It's only now that the book is out with a little tweaking of details.

cynic

jhsurti 24-5-2018 11:10 AM
Wikipedia mentions the original publishing date of 2008 with revised edition published in 2018. Co ...

Exactly. There might have been an issue with revealing her identity, but Sehmat is not her real name.

jayyogeswarusa

I watched movie as well started reading book can't decide which one better.

ddumbre

Thanks for sharing this.

b_mayukh

very good review

b_mayukh

but as always.....the book is better than the movie