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Inglistan
In the six months that Rabi spends in England, he meets a myriad of characters. At the Frankfurt airport he comes across a Pakistani who like many Asians has entered Europe on forged papers. The book stresses that in Europe`A0one is not an Indian, Bangladeshi or a Sri Lankan; one is simply an Asian. Rabi makes the acquaintance of his maternal family in England. He watches the first generation of immigrants who feel homesick and talk about the motherland with nostalgia while the second generation simply does not want to go to India. Potrayed as an independent individual, Rabi explores London on his own and at times is accompanied by friends. Trying to be adventurous he wanders through the well-organised sex ‘market’, visits Leicester Square and the other tourist spots in London. Unlike the rosy picture`A0relatives living abroad paint for you, Talwar takes the reader to Southall or ‘Mini Punjab’ where Madhu, Rabi’s lawyer acquaintance resides. This place accepts payment in Indian currency, is shabbier than other parts of London and the municipal services are also poorer. Rabi meets students of other nationalities and gets the opportunity to compare cultures. He learns quickly about pub rules and the formal British who are particular about getting the name of the person right. He realises that one cannot buy medicine without a doctor’s prescription, though`A0in America firearms can be more easily purchased. The writer describes English cooking as bland and points that much of`A0the fruit and vegetables are imported from all over the world. Making cross-cultural comparisons, the writer concludes that family is an important institution in India, but as one of the character remark, "You know, in England the pub has replaced the family." This becomes clearer in the case of Manjula, who has to shift her accomodation because of some ten year olds who are beyond the control of their parents and too young to be persecuted on the charge of smashing windows. While in England Rabi finds the British polite though they maintain a stiff upper lip. He feels that Indians can learn the "spirit of service with a smile" from the English. The writer has rightly captured the thinking of young Indian males abroad. Jagdeep after eight years of marriage treats it like vanilla ice cream, feels the need for a change and wants to give wife swapping a try. Rajinder has a Spanish girlfriend who resembles Bo Derek, but he will marry a nice Indian bahu chosen by his parents. The writer describes the Jats as the Germans of Europe and the Bengalis as the French! Adjusting to life in England, Rabi falls in love with Janis, a fellow student. He tutors her in Hindi, goes shopping with her and attends a rave over the weekend spent with her brother. There is an exchange of mushy, boring and bizzare e-mails between the two lovers, with Rabi addressing his ladylove as babughosha. The book ends on a lived-happily-ever-after note as Rabi and Janis make preparations to get married in India. This book is partly a cultural critique and covers diverse subjects like religion, education, poverty, newspapers, sex, morality, etc. The language used is simple and the situations appear realistic. The book has not been carefully edited. Discussing a visit to a busy restaurant, Talwar writes that several customers "had to be turned away by the manger for lack of seating space" (instead of manager). Block letters though not required have been used often. Overall, the book is readable.
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