Book - Summer Of 93 by Archana Somvanshi
Genre - Thriller, Retro drama, Women's fiction

“I don’t know what’s the matter with these adults. There is so much pain in their stories, but why can’t they just share with us? Why such secrecy? What are they hiding, and why?” These innocent questions of the young ones sums up the book, Summer Of 93 by Archana Somvanshi.

Set in a rural hamlet of India, Ratanpur we are initiated into the lives of Chandan and his friends, Anju, Mantu and Bunty. We realize that there happens to be a family feud of some sorts with Kashi, Chandan’s uncle persistently calling out Anju’s grandmother, Janki Devi. As we dive deeper we are embroiled in a series of mishaps and social evils that are not just injust but inhuman.

Author Archana Somvanshi takes us on a nostalgic trip with this book. There’s the quintessential 90s that we relive amidst these pages. The mention of Rajdoot, Frooti, Rasna, gully cricket, Nagraj, Chacha Chaudhary, and what not add to the ambience. The story becomes more atmospheric as we see Ratanpur taking shape with the usage of deft description. And soon the river Simroo too gains a humanly appearance, making it’s presence felt much like the other characters in the book.

The book has one too many characters to keep up with. But once you get the hang of the storyline you are pulled into this cozy world which seems quite familiar, especially for a 90s kid like me. To me this book was like a time capsule teleporting me to the simplicity of the 90s, the carefree life. As you turn the pages you may find yourself humming the iconic title track of Malgudi Days, a series that captivated our hearts. To put it succinctly, this book has a retro charm with relatable characters.

Author’s pencraft doesn’t end with personification of the village and river but there’s simplicity in the narrative and lucidity in the language. She sketches her characters and makes them memorable. Their gait, their mannerisms makes them stand out. Janki Devi, especially, leaves an indelible mark on our minds. The character of Saraswati is laudable. This mother-daughter duo are women of substance. And to present them with so much ease deserves accolades.

Another wonderful aspect of Somvanshi’s storytelling is that she has a knack for employing slapstick humor and vivid descriptive language that brings in a comic relief. Alongside the warmth of the 90s there lingers a suspense in tale that keeps us at the edge of our seats.
The author seamlessly weaves in political parallels of the time, adding depth and relevance to the narrative.

With remarkable skill, the author masterfully exposes the injustices of the 90s society, particularly its misogynistic treatment of women, through a series of poignant and powerful episodes woven in the narrative. These vivid portrayals are so triggering yet subtly crafted that it riles you up.

At the heart of this narrative it discusses the trials and tribulations of womenhood that remain unchanged even in the contemporary times. The very fabric of this narrative is made up of multiple interesting events that are heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Infact, the narrative is like a tapestry of eventful episodes where one fateful incident folds into another seamlessly, and despite that, the deep-seated warmth and humanity has you in its thrall.

Summer Of 93 not only makes you relive your childhood but at the same time unmasks the social evils, thus promoting awareness and change. Also, for some of us, this story might remind you of Nirmala by Premchand as it shares a similar essence. 

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Summer Of 93 by Archana Somvanshi

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