riyamadan2422's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
nuts246's review
4.0
The story is simplistic, there are no literary flourishes, and yet, the book holds your attention because of the slightly quirky and fiercely independent protagonist. A short read, but one I enjoyed.
koko09's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Light, easy read. I think I had higher expectations from the story, but on reading some more reviews for ‘Dopehri’, it seems that the Hindi version conveys the beauty and nuances of the story better than the English translation does. Maybe tighter editing and more attention to detail and hidden meaning while translating would have helped. Overall, a sweetly inspiring story. And I LOVE the cover design.
shubhodiya's review
3.0
The cover attracted me first. Not just the beauty of it, but the aesthetic that left an impression. Amma Bi's life follows a similar aesthetic—royal colors, but trapped and somewhat lonesome.
We have all witnessed Amma Bi and Jumman around us, each having their own, distinctive character traits. Amma Bi crosses the thin line of dependence and freedom when her new lodger, Sabiha, eases her into it.
Living up to its title, Dopehri is surely an afternoon read. Picturesque descriptions of sunrise and sundown will tug at your heart. The book is direct and beautiful, and perhaps can be enjoyed more if read in Hindi itself.
We have all witnessed Amma Bi and Jumman around us, each having their own, distinctive character traits. Amma Bi crosses the thin line of dependence and freedom when her new lodger, Sabiha, eases her into it.
Living up to its title, Dopehri is surely an afternoon read. Picturesque descriptions of sunrise and sundown will tug at your heart. The book is direct and beautiful, and perhaps can be enjoyed more if read in Hindi itself.
expressionexit's review
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.25
The thought behind the story was great but the execution was poor along with the structuring. You can definitely skip this book!
rubal_mittal's review
3.0
Dopehri, the debut novel of acclaimed actor Pankaj Kapur. I picked up this book at Prithvi theatre's bookshop impressed by the beautiful cover and attracted by the author's name and fame - thinking it would be the perfect read for a winter afternoon. And how right I was. The title of the hook justifies the warmth it gives in just few pages.
Few pages into the book - I thought that it would be about the story of people behind the 3 pm and the 10 pm ruckus. But I was proved wrong. Then I thought it would be about the chaos the new tenant will potentially bring into the life of Bi. And I was somewhat wrong.
This is a story of a lonely aged grandmother and her journey of finding herself.
The most interesting thing for me was the self realisation that this fiction indeed passes the bechdel test. Especially when they give a proper name and identity to "Bi".
Why did I give it just 3? Maybe because I had kept my expectations benchmark higher. Nevertheless, a good read.
Few pages into the book - I thought that it would be about the story of people behind the 3 pm and the 10 pm ruckus. But I was proved wrong. Then I thought it would be about the chaos the new tenant will potentially bring into the life of Bi. And I was somewhat wrong.
This is a story of a lonely aged grandmother and her journey of finding herself.
The most interesting thing for me was the self realisation that this fiction indeed passes the bechdel test. Especially when they give a proper name and identity to "Bi".
Why did I give it just 3? Maybe because I had kept my expectations benchmark higher. Nevertheless, a good read.
nishbaindur's review
3.0
Dopehri by Pankaj Kapur is a short and quite a sweet read. It injects the supernatural into a setting of traditions and norms of Amma Bi, the protagonist who feels lonely in the haveli after her husband's death.
I can see this book being prescribed in school syllabi in a few years or so. Honestly, it would be a good inclusion.
If you want a light and quick read, this is the book for you! Before you know it, you've finished it in one sitting.
I can see this book being prescribed in school syllabi in a few years or so. Honestly, it would be a good inclusion.
If you want a light and quick read, this is the book for you! Before you know it, you've finished it in one sitting.
ruchidas's review
2.0
I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I'd read the book in its original language, Hindi. Not only would it have given me the chance to read something in a language I speak every day but don't interact with its written word, but I would also have been in a better position to judge the book.
Dopheri attracted me with its grounded premise and its cover. The pretty hardcover is, without a doubt, one of the best I've seen to date. However, in the story, the gaps stand out like sore holes.
The narrative is set in Lucknow, one of the most culturally rich cities in India. This city is also personally close to my heart for a variety of reasons. I have fond memories of it. Naturally, I expected a heartwarming glimpse of the city in Dopheri, but the book disappointed me in more than one way. Firstly, Amma Bi, the protagonists' character building is weak. She of the haveli has a lot to offer, but the author barely touches the surface. In fact, I get to see more of Jumman, the shrewd servant, than her, and Jumman is a character executed beautifully. The climax of the story, too, falls short of the buildup.
I can see that some more work into the world-building, the protagonists' back story, and a more powerfully and dramatically executed climax could have amped the content to the level of the cover. In its current form, especially in its translated form, Dopheri comes across as a half-finished product that overpromises, but underdelivers.
I give the extra one star only for the benefit of the doubt that the prose reads better in Hindi. And another one for the cover design, which is going to adorn my bookshelf for a long time.
Edit: Yep, the prose is beautiful in Hindi. Guess this will be my first Hindi novel as I pick it up in the next few weeks.
Edit 2: I wrote this review in a rotten mood. Looking back, I feel it's not that bad a story. Amma Bi is adorable in some ways, and her story poignantly portrays how, sometimes, a purpose and a single person is all it takes to color your dull life and make it seem liveable again.
Dopheri attracted me with its grounded premise and its cover. The pretty hardcover is, without a doubt, one of the best I've seen to date. However, in the story, the gaps stand out like sore holes.
The narrative is set in Lucknow, one of the most culturally rich cities in India. This city is also personally close to my heart for a variety of reasons. I have fond memories of it. Naturally, I expected a heartwarming glimpse of the city in Dopheri, but the book disappointed me in more than one way. Firstly, Amma Bi, the protagonists' character building is weak. She of the haveli has a lot to offer, but the author barely touches the surface. In fact, I get to see more of Jumman, the shrewd servant, than her, and Jumman is a character executed beautifully. The climax of the story, too, falls short of the buildup.
Spoiler
was waiting with bated breath to read about the fate of the two lovers who secretly meet on Amma Bi's terrace every day, but sadly, I never got to know. The author could have done a much better job by saving this revelation for the end of the story.I give the extra one star only for the benefit of the doubt that the prose reads better in Hindi. And another one for the cover design, which is going to adorn my bookshelf for a long time.
Edit: Yep, the prose is beautiful in Hindi. Guess this will be my first Hindi novel as I pick it up in the next few weeks.
Edit 2: I wrote this review in a rotten mood. Looking back, I feel it's not that bad a story. Amma Bi is adorable in some ways, and her story poignantly portrays how, sometimes, a purpose and a single person is all it takes to color your dull life and make it seem liveable again.
mishu_v's review
4.0
I should have read this in hindi but this was an airport pick so didn’t really have a choice there.
Its a simple story of an older lady forced to live alone in a big ancient house. Her only company is thee boy does chores around the house and runs errands. There is also a friend of the husband long passed who the lady co sults for all things -big and small. He suggests a paying guest in a spare room to keep her company and for security . After an initial resistance she does choose a young working girl to stay in her house.
The tale is beautifully narrated ans was actually a play originally. one can visualise the house and feel the emotions of the woman vividly. There is a mystery there too waiting to reveal the layers of small town living.
As accomplished an actor as Pankaj Kapur is, his writing was equally nuanced and evocative. I would definitely recommend this short read for a lazy afternoon.
Its a simple story of an older lady forced to live alone in a big ancient house. Her only company is thee boy does chores around the house and runs errands. There is also a friend of the husband long passed who the lady co sults for all things -big and small. He suggests a paying guest in a spare room to keep her company and for security . After an initial resistance she does choose a young working girl to stay in her house.
The tale is beautifully narrated ans was actually a play originally. one can visualise the house and feel the emotions of the woman vividly. There is a mystery there too waiting to reveal the layers of small town living.
As accomplished an actor as Pankaj Kapur is, his writing was equally nuanced and evocative. I would definitely recommend this short read for a lazy afternoon.