by Tathagata Roy is an evocative and insightful memoir that delves deep into the author’s life and political career. Roy masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes with political commentary, offering a compelling blend of reminiscence and socio-political analysis through time and space. The book is divided into three parts: the first chronicles Roy’s childhood, education and marriage up to the 1990s; the second covers his political journey from 1990 to 2020; and the third provides a reflective analysis of the recent political landscape.
One of the most enchanting aspects of Roy’s memoir is its ability to transport readers back to the quintessential Bengali way of life. “I needed to have a daak name, the name by which everyone would call me, and I was called Gora, either because I was relatively light-skinned for a Bengali or after the lead figure in Tagore’s novel of that name,” he mentions. In the opening chapters, Roy uses lucid and relatable language to depict the cultural and socio-economic landscape of Calcutta from the 1950s to the 1970s.
He paints a vivid picture of a city transitioning from its colonial past to post-independence India. The lingering British influence in business houses and stores reflects the complex cultural and economic legacy left behind. From Usha Uthup’s gigs at Trincas in her typical South Indian saris to the detailed depiction of Calcutta’s cosmopolitan nature—with its distinct segments such as British, Muslim, Bengali Hindu, .