Those Days

Book Details

• Publisher: Penguin

• Author: Sunil Gangopadhyay

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9780140268522

• Binding: Paperback

• Pages: 608

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches

About the Book:

Those Days by Sunil Gangopadhyay is an award-winning novel that vividly brings to life the world of nineteenth-century Bengal, particularly during the Bengal Renaissance and the 1857 uprising. A Sahitya Akademi Award winner, the book beautifully balances panoramic storytelling with rich, intimate details to create an unforgettable narrative of the era.

The novel primarily revolves around the Singha and Mukherjee families, exploring the complexities of their relationships, societal norms, and the evolving political landscape. Ganganarayan Singha's love for Bindubasini, the widowed daughter of the Mukherjees, faces obstacles in the form of orthodoxy, while his father, Ramkamal, finds solace in the arms of a courtesan, Kamala Sundari. Meanwhile, Bimbabati, Ramkamal's wife, struggles with her isolation.

One of the core themes of the novel is the transformation of the feudal aristocracy as they begin to awaken to their social responsibilities, moving beyond their entrenched rituals and pleasures.

The narrative is enriched by historical figures like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, the Tagore family, and Keshab Chandra Sen, whose real-life interactions with fictional characters add authenticity and depth to the portrayal of a momentous time in Indian history.

Key Features:

• Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award.

• A rich historical backdrop of the Bengal Renaissance and the 1857 uprising.

• In-depth portrayal of the Singha and Mukherjee families and their intertwined fates.

• Features interactions with historical figures such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Michael Madhusudan Dutt.

• Captures the essence of a time of social reform and change in Bengal.