“Sharing my review of the book:http://anuradhagoyal.blogspot.com/2009/11/city-of-djinns-by-william-dalrymple.html”
“The book started off on a rather boring note - at times it even seemed to me like the usual diatribes of the culture-shocked foreigner in India. But as it progressed and picked up momentum it evolved into a sympathetic as well as unique perception of Delhi. Especially charming is the description of life in Old Delhi - the Pre and Post-Partition contrasts as well as the writers explorations into Sufism. However, City of Djinns seems to me a slightly dated account of Delhi. Of course, it is not exactly a post-globalization narrative and seems to me rather far from what we see in delhi today. But somehow, as it always does in India, the essence of Delhi probably remains the same. The past survives along with the present and the future. Once we move to Chandi Chowk from Lutyens' wide avenues, we really start to wonder if the hip young things in Connaught Place and the burqa-clad-henna-dyed folks in Shahjahanabad can really share the same space. There is a time-warp zone around each corner in Delhi, even in 2007.Even more interesting is the writer's explorations into Sufism. And the way he weaves present and past together. It gets rather uninteresting for someone not into 'peeling the historical onion' but for someone who does like it, it is supremely interesting even if you are Indian and know most of the stories and facts in the book.Overall, it is well worth a read especially if you are planning to visit (or live in) Delhi. And yes, the elephant motifs which separate the chapters are quite cute.”
“i've lived in delhi for ages... read this book and saw it through new eyes... ”
