A State of Freedom

A Novel

By: Neel Mukherjee

Narrated by: Sartaj Garewal

In this stunning novel, prize-winning author Neel Mukherjee wrests open the central, defining events of our century: displacement and migration. Five characters, in very different circumstances - from a domestic cook in Mumbai, to a vagrant and his dancing bear, to a girl who escapes terror in her home village for a new life in the city - find out the meanings of dislocation and the desire for more.

Set in contemporary India and moving between the reality of this world and the shadow of another, this novel of multiple narratives - formally daring, fierce, but full of pity - delivers a devastating and haunting exploration of the unquenchable human urge to strive for a different life.

©2017 Neil Murkherjee (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Life Beyond My Own Shallow Context

I wish I could remember the name of the Canadian folk singer who informed: "if you were born in North America, you've already won the lottery".
As challenging and stressful as we think our lives are (often self-imposed) Neel Mukherjee's' characters teach us that their lives are beyond their own control, steeped in slowly eroding traditions. No matter how horrible our lives seem at times, most of us are able to avoid being the dancing bear.....at least so far......

The narrator did not do justice to the story

The narrator did not do justice to the story unfortunately. He has a strong and sharp voice that was disconnected from the story. A more experienced narrator would have made a difference. The performance of various characters, especially women’s voices was bad, almost caricatured. This is a beautiful melancholic book that deserves a more sensitive and trained voice.

Narrator

What didn’t you like about Sartaj Gerewal’s performance?

The ordinary narration is okay, but all the character voices are done in a whining melodramatic warble, as though reading a children's book (or on the Simpsons). Distracted from the story and tone.

Second most effective book since Uncle Tom’s cabin

The author Mr. Neel Mukerjee deserves a world class recognition for a brave and piercing description of the lives of unwanted class. Only if people had empathy!
Narration was cold and dry, but I feel that was the theme of the book!
It is master piece and a must read!