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The Far Field

A Novel

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The Far Field

Written by: Madhuri Vijay
Narrated by: Sneha Mathan
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Buy Now for ₹1,407.00

Buy Now for ₹1,407.00

About this listen

In the wake of her mother's death, Shalini, a privileged and restless young woman from Bangalore, sets out for a remote Himalayan village in the troubled northern region of Kashmir. Certain that the loss of her mother is somehow connected to the decade-old disappearance of Bashir Ahmed, a charming Kashmiri salesman who frequented her childhood home, she is determined to confront him. But upon her arrival, Shalini is brought face to face with Kashmir's politics, as well as the tangled history of the local family that takes her in. And when life in the village turns volatile and old hatreds threaten to erupt into violence, Shalini finds herself forced to make a series of choices that could hold dangerous repercussions for the very people she has come to love.

©2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic Reviews

“Remarkable...an engrossing narrative.... Vijay’s stunning debut novel expertly intertwines the personal and political to pick apart the history of Jammu and Kashmir.” (Publishers Weekly)
All stars
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A thought provoking book, I eased through the book without a struggle. I could feel Shalini's emotions through her journey. The realization that life has its ups and downs and sometimes things are just beyond our control. Loved the narrator's work too. She did a splendid job with perfect pronunciations and modulations. I'd love to listen to another book by her.

A mature tale of finding oneself

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Narration by Sneha Mathan was great. I listened to the book during my daily walks and I had no problems following the story.

Story - Good & Interesting | Narration - Great

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1. I had high expectations,the book being a JCB Prize Winner,but felt disappointed with the later half of the story line.
2. First half gave a different picture about the plot but the story landed up ending with a completely different climax.
3.The only good thing was the narration,however at most places,it was too straight but can't blame the narrator because it was the lack of grip in the story.
4. Can be read/listened once,but only if you are eager to read every Award Winning book.

Had High Expectations,Found it Average

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It is a sign of a great story and writing if in the middle of all the chores and other enjoyments you seek during the day, you remember the book you are currently reading and can’t wait to get back to it.
The Far Field is such a compelling read and isn’t ‘like any other Kashmir story’ or ‘just another Kashmir story’ either. The characters are so well-established and developed that towards the end you are only left amazed at how complex the net of relationships, bonds and human emotions is. Even though there is a one protagonist in this book that leads all the stories, each character has his or her own significant story that you end up caring for equally if not more. You follow Shalini’s life, then carry her thoughts and burdens and eventually become her. It is hard to imagine that apart from Madhuri Vijay’s time in Kishtwar as a teacher, this entire story including the characters was a figment of her imagination. Madhuri Vijay has a keen eye and is deft at brutal descriptions of the obvious and subtleties of the intangible. Her prose is evocative which is perfect for the unusual circumstances she is in and complexities she is dealing with. And come to think of it, all of these rare qualities packed in her debut novel!

Highly recommended and a well-deserved win of the JCB Literature Award. A special mention of Sneha Mathan’s exceptional narration of this book. I look forward to reading more of Madhuri Vijay’s works but I am also going to indulge myself in more books narrated by Sneha Mathan!

What a great start to my reading year!

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A lively narrative of a young troubled girl about her relationship with the headstrong mother and loving but aloof father - weaved through the lives of Kashmiris in Kishtwar. Loved the style of writing by the author and how she has managed to bring alive the characters and their emotional selves. Did feel that some extensions of relationships seemed stretched. But all in all a good read - Audible experience was brilliant too.

Young girl in Kashmir!

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