Gautam Malkani: Londonstaner / Londonstani

This is the debut book written by Gautam Malkani, who is journalist for the news paper The Financial Times. The novel deals around the Indian / Pakistani (also known as desi) circles in London, and particularly Hounslow. There are a great many descriptions and thoughts of the characters, but the story doesn’t evolve that fast. In addition, the language in the novel is mixture of English and Punjabi, which wonder me how non-Punjabi-speaking people can understand all of what is written there. I think this can be irritating.

The novel stake out some good points and let us question ourselves about the way we behave and think. In addition, also some interesting philosophies about desi social behavior and compared to economics theories.

The book is divided into 3 parts, and the last part is most interesting. The ending provides an interesting twist, but it wasn’t that interesting either that the novel is worth to be read all over again.

Rating: 3 of 6