Kiran very kindly sent me a free copy of the book in exchange for a review and rating.

The structure of the novel reminds me a little of [a:Dan Simmons|2687|Dan Simmons|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1427999015p2/2687.jpg]'s [b:Hyperion|77566|Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos #1)|Dan Simmons|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405546838l/77566._SY75_.jpg|1383900] in that there are multiple, separate but connected stories that coalesce into a whole, although Bhat's approach is far more subtle.

There are four main narratives (and characters) in the novel, but we never actually hear from the main characters themselves. Each story is written from another character's POV, and along the way, we start to piece together the main characters' stories. My favourite was the tribal story as their culture was the most alien, but I was left wanting for more (I would have liked a bit more detail on the Chief's Son's transformation and the power struggle between father and son).

The balance of light and dark was spot on – Bhat explores the dark side of humanity in these stories, but also offers hope and positivity as well. ( )

52. We of the Forsaken World... by Kiran Bhat
published: 2019
format: 177-page Kindle ebook
acquired: August 31
read: Aug 31 – Oct 23
time reading: 6 hr 27 min, 2.2 min/page
rating: 2½
locations: fictional but based on real places
about the author: born and raised outside Atlanta, he claims about 17 homes, and highlights Bombay.

Bhat has a interesting introduction where we presents himself, born in the US in Georgia, as an international personality looking for a kind of international kindness. He tells us he knows something like 12 languages and has visited something like 100 countries (that's not an exaggeration, just rounding down). He seems young but tells us in the afterward he has been writing this novel since 2011 based on a writing binge and long culling and refining process.

He gives us four locations and 16 characters and each has a voice, each story is in first person. The places are (1) something like an Amazon River tribe, (2) a small town in what is probably central Africa, (3) a big city that has lot in common with Jakarta, although it's fictionalized, and (4) a place distinctly reminiscent of current Bhopal, in southern India, site of the huge industrial disaster that took place there and killed and permanently injured thousands of people. I thought there was also a reference to Northern India, but probably was just confused. Actually I spent a lot time a little confused.

Not all locations are equal, and southern India has clearly the most love. As it evolves into a family narrative, it stands out as lowkey, the most intimate, least outrageous and just feels the most real. I was moved when a young boy narrator takes his younger sister to put a wishing lantern on the polluted but still beautiful lake that they cannot touch. Actually the entire scene leading up was interesting and complexly in construction. I'm glad it was there and it allowed to relax a bit after finding this tough going. I had gone long periods without picking it up. But once I read that section, I was able to skate through better.

On the whole I never took to Bhat's efforts. Just not my thing. I got a little tired of the first person narratives and the crazy situations that narrator seemed always to need to normalize. (Stephen King does this and I don't like it there either. So there is a taste aspect.)

Bhat contacted me on Goodreads asking for a review. His request was so kind that it led me to look it up. It was a dollar on amazon. I'm happy he was able to get his writing out there and wish him well.

2020
https://www.librarything.com/topic/322920#7296749 ( )

3.5 stars....

The author reached out to me on Goodreads and asked me to read his book, but I purchased it myself.

We Of The Forsaken World tells four different stories set in four locations that would be considered by the modern world as remote. The locations are not named and are probably fictional, but almost surely inspired by real world locales. The story of each locale is told through the perspective of 3-4 different people, woven together to form the complete picture.

I felt as if the stories are designed to show that people in these forsaken parts of the world are no different than the rest of us. Their issues are no different than ours.

There is tragedy and sadness in each story. In places the writing is beautiful and the stories are touching. At other times, I was confused by the writing and felt lost. ( )

At first one can, be flummox by the change in perspective for each chapter. As the story goes on you get used to the change. With a large cast of characters each with their own story seem to be disordering but at the end it pulls through in connecting together. It’s easier adept the method on focusing on the four location then keeping track of all the different characters.

I like how the writing doesn’t dump a load of information on who the characters are. Subtle hints are given on the character’s background and their social status.

Not one perspective is shown twice, and the main characters are not the ones narrating the story. Instead it’s the different people looking at these characters and base on their upbringing and background they see these characters differently. For example the milk maid is seem through the eyes of the pastor who see her as someone who lost their way, the boy who see her as a friend that drifted away, and the store owner who see her as someone that needs help. Putting all these perspective together crates the image that everyone either pity her for the situation she grown up in or shame her.

I notice no one is called by their name. Instead they know by the title everyone else has characterizes them by. I don’t know why that is, but my take is that base on our life experience and the people were around influence how we see each other.
No matter how we look at each other were all human. We are all capable of doing the most bad and the most good in the world.

“… ‘But then, there is light, and it lives alongside the shadows in the corners and crevices where no expects it. Do you know the reason why that is?’…I assume it is because we all have our light and we all have our shadow, and nether can be taken away from us until the day we die.” – Pg. 161

We all have shadows and light in us. It what make us human. In this day and age with the world falling apart around us we need put our differences and ideology aside and realize were not all that different from each other. That is a massage we need more then ever.

I do agree that reading We of the Forsaken World was experiment for me. I enjoy the deep story and take on the human condition. ( )

We of the Forsaken World... tells us the story of four main characters living in four geographically separated places. The world-building in this book is beautiful and elegant. The story proves to be successful when it comes to making us realize the effect of digitalization,globalization and industrialization. Another lesson that I learned through this novel is that we need to realize our potential.

Initially, the book seems to be a collection of short stories but due to some recurring characters, we realize that there is a common thread between them and it is a clear-cut novel.

The story is narrated through 16 different view points, who live in four different place although the story revolves around four people -the journalist, the chief's son, the milkmaid and the one-armed women.

The story very relatable and is written in a poetical manner which leaves an everlasting effect on the reader. The book makes us realize the problems of the modern world. The character development is also elaborately done in such a way that the reader is able to feel the pain of the characters in this book.

Overall, I loved this book and I think that it is a book that everyone of today's world must read. ( )