China Room By Sunjeev Sahota, A Book Review

Sunjeev Sahota's novel China Room is a powerful and moving exploration of family, identity, and the ties that bind us across generations. Set in both contemporary Britain and rural Punjab in the 1920s, the book weaves together two parallel stories that ultimately converge in a poignant and unforgettable climax.

The novel's title refers to a small room in a farmhouse in rural Punjab, where a group of women gathers each day to grind grain and cook meals for their families. Among them is a young bride known only as "Ishwar's wife," who is expected to fulfill her duties as a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, despite her own desires and aspirations.

Meanwhile, in contemporary Britain, a young man named Mehar struggles to find his place in the world as the child of immigrant parents. As he embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of his family's past, he discovers a connection to the women of the China Room and begins to unravel the mysteries of his own identity.

Throughout the novel, Sahota explores the ways in which family, tradition, and culture shape our sense of self and our understanding of the world around us. He portrays the struggles of both the women in rural Punjab and their descendants in contemporary Britain, highlighting the challenges they face in reconciling their own desires with the expectations of their families and communities.

One of the most striking aspects of China Room is Sahota's vivid and evocative prose, which brings both the Punjab countryside and the gritty streets of contemporary Britain to life. His descriptions of the smells, sounds, and textures of everyday life are so rich and detailed that readers can almost feel transported to these different worlds.

Ultimately, China Room is a profound and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, family, and the human experience. It is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to connect us across time, place, and culture, and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human condition.

The book was shortlisted for the Booker prize 2021.