-
Sandra Wagner-Wright
a book bubble about
Rama's Labyrinth: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)
Literature & Fiction
Author Insight
Names Are Important
The last time Rama was in Varanasi, she was a child traveling with her itinerant HIndu family. She had no home. Now, she's taking Judith on a personal tour. Judith wants to see India. Rama's desire is unclear. To please her friend? To revisit her childhood? To escape the daily struggle of keeping her school open? To once again straddle two worlds — Euro-American and Indian? I don't think Rama analyses her motives and memories. At this moment, she's more interested in teaching Judith the correct name for this most holy, Indian city.
Book Excerpt
Rama's Labyrinth: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)
Judith looked into the twilight evening. “I don’t mind telling you I’m a bit nervous. From what I’ve read, Benares is nothing like Pune.”
“Judith, when we speak among ourselves, please use the city’s correct name. Varanasi. Words have meaning. Varanasi refers to the confluence of the Assi and Ganges rivers. Benares doesn’t mean anything. Of course when we speak to foreigners, we must say what they understand.” Rama shrugged.
“Varanasi,” Judith repeated. “I’ll remember.”
Rama idly looked to the side of the road where two mangy dogs fought over scraps. A cow blankly chewed its cud and watched.
“I asked Mr. Gadre to get us rooms at the Clark Hotel. It has a good reputation in the European community.”
“Is this the first time you’ve been back?”
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
Apple Books
Kobo
Click Follow to receive emails when this author adds content on Bublish
Comment on this Bubble
Your comment and a link to this bubble will also appear in your Facebook feed.