The myriad shades of human behaviour
Reviewed by Aradhika Sharma

Their language of Love
By Bapsi Sidhwa
Penguin Viking. Pages 252. Rs 499

Here’s another book by one of the most dexterous story tellers of the sub-continent. Those who have followed Bapsi Sidhwa’s writings would know of her observation of human behaviour, which she presents with disarming simplicity. However, that does not detract from racy storytelling and a wit that’s incisive as well as kind. Bapsi is the author of the bestselling novels Ice-Candy-Man, The Bride and An American Brat.

Her first novel, The Crow Eaters was a lively book about the Parsis in Lahore. Her Ice Candy Man was later made into the acclaimed film, Earth by Deepa Mehta and Water: A Novel, which is based upon Mehta’s 2005 film, Water. The association with Mehta brought Sidhwa more fame.

Born in Karachi, Bapsi spent a few years in Mumbai and now lives in America. She describes herself as "Punjabi-Pakistani-Parsi" and brings forth the experiences of her life into her writings. Although not extreme about trying to change the codes and tenets in society, yet she does present the facts in an accurate manner. characters represent her life and attitudes. Bapsi was struck with polio when she was a little girl and so, in her novel Earth, the main character through whom the turbulent events of Partition are viewed, is Lenny, a Parsi girl, struck by polio. The Crow Eaters is a representation of Parsi lives and traditions. She thus writes what she knows best about and tries to bring women’s issues and concern out from behind the purdah into the realm of public scrutiny.

In this book of short stories, we see Bapsi in various moods. A Gentlemanly War is based on her experiences of the 1965 India-Pakistan war, which she writes, was an "uncommonly gentlemanly war. There were hardly any civilian casualties. Young captains, colonels and even brigadiers, died in disproportionate numbers at the borders on both sides instead."

Breaking It Up is about Zareen, whose daughter Feroza, wants to "marry a non-(Parsi)", David. Off flies Zareen to Denver to try and put an end to the unacceptable match. She tries all her wiles to break up Feroza and David, finally leaving David floundering, quite out of his depth.

The title story, Their Language of Love tells of a newly married Parsi woman, who on her honeymoon in New York, starts to realise her husband’s tutoring behaviour, and to deal with it. Sehra-bai is the story of the once-gorgeous protagonist, who is now ailing and ageing, as she ruminates over the several admirers that she had, remembering her beauty and the secrets that lie hidden in the past. Ruth and the Hijackers and Ruth and the Afghan describe the life and friendships (and a love affair) of Ruth, a slender, pretty Protestant lady, who came to Lahore with her husband and experiences in the city alien to her. A pleasant read, the stories are based in different milieus and time frames.

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