No Path In Darjeeling Is Straight

If you are familiar with the writer's way of arching rainbows even in the murkiest skylines with his pen, you are in for a treat! It is what the blurb says, a memoir. It's like you are listening to a story from the Professor, on a chilly and drenched evening in Darjeeling, sitting beside a crackling fire, sipping tongba from a bamboo shoot!

"No Path in Darjeeling is Straight"...So also are there no straight or easy answers to complex issues of identity and ethnicity.As a premier hill station developed by the British, Darjeeling is a magnet for tourists, who all cherish the memories of their sojourn. Generations of students of the boarding schools that were established over 150 years ago also "own" their memories of precious years spent in idyllic surroundings amongst best friends forever. In truth, the tourists and students simply own their own version of the hill town as people passing-through.The author circles back to the question of "belonging" several times in the course of the book, and this cuts to the core of those who could be called a Darjeeling native.As contemporary history, this book is simply brilliant, capturing the multiple layers that represent Darjeeling, far far beyond its scenic beauty.

The media could not be loaded.  The content of the book is definitely good but the condition of the piece was old dusty worn out book .

A book that manages to entice you into reading it at one go. The writing clearly reflects the emotional attachment that the writer has with the Queen of Hills. For a person who was not born into the place, the writer does a remarkable job and in fact, has brought to light many facts that I, as a proud Darjeelingey did not know. For once, Chandmari was once known as China Town...sweet! And, it is not just a general description of the place but the book has managed to capture and evoke images of Darjeeling - the fog blanketing the entire town, how a small turning in a road can lead to the majestic sight of the mountains, the every day lives of the locals. I loved this book.

Good to read, though at some times the flow becomes boring..Overall,a good one Go For It

Having spent three years in Darjeeling and two decades later this book took me on a walk down memory lane

Having spent eight years of life as a school boy in the hills, it pains to read a book like this. Because it’s the truth. The book also captures a lot of stories about the town which we never got to learn or read about. Very well written and brings back memories from the past. Thanks to the author for putting all this together. Yes no path in Darjeeling is straight - but that’s the charm of the place.

This book is a an awesome read. A interesting narration of a plain dwelling Bengali on the travails and reminisces of the majestic Himalayas, the ever vibrant Gorkhas, the socio cultural milieu of Darjeeling.

As someone who lived his entire childhood in Darjeeling, I find this book to do justice to all the inhabitants and visitors. I live in London now and this book brings back so many memories and odd things that only one who hails from the region would understand. Parimal’s prose is breathtaking and I read it so quickly! Thank you for a wonderful book

Interesting background whilst not pretending to be a tour guide