"Heaven is not at all what you think. "
Heaven, for different people can mean different things, an ultimate abode, a place of rest, a safe haven, a land abounding with milk and honey, an illusion, a lie. Words are used to describe it, yet no one knows if there is any truth to it or not. Kashmir is often called ‘Heaven on Earth’. Recent events have proven it to be anything but heaven. For some, heaven is just the company of a confidante or a kindred spirit. Madhuri Vijay’s The Far Field is the exploration of such a heaven.
The Far Field is a story of grief; not just that of the protagonist who lost her mother, but of how grief in itself can drive so much of our thoughts and actions, to the point where we may become unrecognizable to ourselves and the people who know us the best. Madhuri Vijay, using lucid and imagistic language takes the complex relationship between a mother and daughter and weaves it around the political scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, opening up a new depth to understanding not only these complex bonds but also the way they have a kind of butterfly effect on events unfolding on a larger scale.
Often in the story, Shalini may come across as a selfish and naive character, one who is often inconsiderate about the consequences of her actions on other people’s lives, but the author manages to always bring back her story; this is a woman adrift, travelling to a place where most others are reluctant to go even at their best, both literally and figuratively.
The Far Field also highlights privilege as one of its central themes. Despite being set in the politically tumultuous Kashmir, the book is not entirely political, but instead explores the deeper underlying themes of human nature in order to bring a new perspective into the light. The book explores privilege; not just the privilege of being an educated citizen of mainland India, but also the privilege of having a familial support system, the privilege of getting time to grieve all that has been lost. Shalini’s story is not just about recognizing her privilege, but also understanding the struggle she faces in processing her grief.
We finished reading this book just in time for the announcement of the 2019 Winner of the JCB Prize for Literature and we were thoroughly rooting for this book to win. A truly unforgettable read for both of us, The Far Field is definitely deserving of this prize!