Dancers in the Dark | Book Review

Dancers in the Dark

Author: Ejaz Ahamed

Pages: 298

 

            After reading this book, the very first thing that came to my mind was, ‘Is there humanity?’ If yes what is humanity? This was a very emotional read for me. The story revolves around Kalki, her brother Karthi, and Shreyas whom we will meet later in the story. Karthi is a seven-year-old who is suffering from a skin condition that makes her skin dark compared to other dark people. People are constantly making fun of her calling her a ‘darkie’ and some even call her ‘ugly’. This has affected the poor girl to a very great extent to the point that instead of playing and having fun she is constantly thinking about how she can turn her skin fair. Her brother Karthi, is always there by her side trying to save her; and protect her from these kinds of people. However, one guilt is still constantly peeking its head out from time to time for Karthi. Karthi was once left alone with his baby sister Kalki along with instructions that he should look after her properly and not take her out in the sun. But Karthi himself being a small teenager went out to play with his friends since he couldn’t leave his sister alone he also took her along with him and kept her safely below a tree under a shade. The sun was very hot that day and all of a sudden Kalki started crying like anything and nothing could stop her. This made him very worried and he took her back to their house after which her condition aggravated. But he still blames himself for her skin condition and wants to help her in whichever way possible. Their mother has also been through many difficulties but for the sake of her daughter is saving money so she can be treated. However, due to Kalki and Karthi’s childishness, they somehow lose the money to a scam scheme. Somehow while trying to get their money back they board a train which ends up leaving the station and they reach an unknown place. They are forced to leave the train in between in an isolated place but somehow they find their way to a house where they meet Shreyas. Shreyas is a true sweetheart who really helps the kids a lot offering them hot milk and making sure they get a bath. However, there’s more to Shreyas’s story which will surely make the readers cry and also ask the question of how can your own parents abandon you for no fault of yours. Will Kalki overcome her skin condition? Will Kalki and Karthi get to meet their mother safely? Will they be able to recover the money back? Who is Shreyas? Why was he abandoned by his own family? To know these and more read ‘Dancers in the Dark’.

My Thoughts:

            I really enjoyed reading this book. I must say that this book was an emotional roller-coaster ride. We get to see how the people have divided society into different sections based on caste, creed, race, colour, and religion. Somehow, we humans have forgotten what humanity is and how to treat other humans. We get to see the true façade of people through this book and it would surely give goosebumps to the readers. The thoughts that people can have for a 7-year-old girl and how lustful and down a person’s thinking can be. This book made me cry for most parts also we get to see the harsh realities of the struggle the downtrodden people have to face.

            The characters were relatable. It’s really saddening to see how society treats the poor, casteism, body shaming, bias toward transgender and many more. Kalki was constantly body-shamed for how her skin was and Shreyas was abandoned by his own family for being transgender which was no fault of his own. These topics are very sensitive but the author has beautifully approached these topics and brought about an awareness of the problems people have to face due to the harshness of this society.      

            The plot is well-paced. The readers will be curious to know what is about to come next.  I really felt the desperation, the frustration also the sadness of being judged for things that are nowhere in their control.

            I really felt that this was an eye-opening story where are hit by the reality and the harshness of life which does not leave anyone neither the children nor the elders.

Rating: 5/5