The Heart of India

by Mark Tully

Book Overview

Imbued with his love for India, and informed by his experience of India (where he worked for the BBC for over 20 years), Mark Tully has woven together a series of stories set in Uttar Pradesh, which... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140179658
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Penguin Group USA
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

The Truth of India!

Mark Tully, well-known for his genuine love and deep understanding of India's psyche, digs sensitively into the nuances of everyday life of India with his collection of nine remarkable stories, "The Heart of India". Mr. Tully chooses to explore villages of the northeast states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh because these areas still remain largely unchanged from ancient times. Tully skillfully points out the nuances of life in India. By portraying the social requirements of childbearing, the false pride of the Indian caste system and the perceived corruption of India's administrators and political system. Tully delves into the ground level as well, writing on the toxic levels of gossip and the lack of privacy in village life. Finally, Tully examines the partially superstitious name of religion where people have lost the concept between ritual and reality. Tully's book almost lists the obstacles India has to overcome to maneuver into the 21st century as a raising economical power. Despite the stories that highlight the problems with India, Tully still illustrates India's strengths and natural beauty in a heartfelt manner. His writing style resembles the Indian author Munshi Prem Chand, who was famous for his writing of vivid and true portraits of village life in his stories. This book brings back memories for those who grew up and are familiar with India's social, cultural and political surroundings. Indians who are born abroad and people who have a keen interest in understanding India will enormously enjoy Tully's book.