Is a book on Calcutta, a city on the banks of river Hoogly in West Bengal, India. Lapierre successfully captures the spirit of Calcutta in descriptive yet pleasing language. Written in little more than 500 pages, the book tries to answer the mystery of happiness that overflows the lives of ordinary people living in severely deplorable conditions in the slums of Calcutta.
The City is presented as seen through the lives of Stephen Kovalski, the polish priest who dedicated his life to the service of lepers and other dwellers of ‘Anathnager’ as Calcutta is otherwise known. Other important characters in the book are Hasari Pal and Max Leob. Hasari Pal, is a peasant who migrated to the streets of Calcutta with his wife and kids to earn a living for his family awaiting the amount that he sends back home every month. The hardships that follows Hasari who manages his livelihood pulling rickshaws is heart rending. Max Leob , is an American doctor that Kovalski gets to treat the slum dwellers. Leob’s perception of life and happiness undergoes a dramatic change after his life in the slums .
Hats off to the effort, dedication and research that has gone into creating such a masterpiece…!!!
The City is presented as seen through the lives of Stephen Kovalski, the polish priest who dedicated his life to the service of lepers and other dwellers of ‘Anathnager’ as Calcutta is otherwise known. Other important characters in the book are Hasari Pal and Max Leob. Hasari Pal, is a peasant who migrated to the streets of Calcutta with his wife and kids to earn a living for his family awaiting the amount that he sends back home every month. The hardships that follows Hasari who manages his livelihood pulling rickshaws is heart rending. Max Leob , is an American doctor that Kovalski gets to treat the slum dwellers. Leob’s perception of life and happiness undergoes a dramatic change after his life in the slums .
Hats off to the effort, dedication and research that has gone into creating such a masterpiece…!!!
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