Book Review : Border Crossers by Bhaskar Roy

    Today, let's review the book Border Crossers by Bhaskar Roy. This book falls under the contemporary genre. 

The title of the book is more suitable and apt for its content. The cover image and the color choice of the cover both are well suited for its story.

I don’t know why, but whenever I read a book with an image of iron border fencing, it resonates deeply with me and often leaves me with sleepless nights. For example, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Man's Search for Meaning had a profound impact on me. I’d like to add Border Crossers to that list as well. Although this book has a different plot, it explores themes of identity and focuses on the challenges faced by people who migrate undocumented.

Though the story features many important characters, the main plot revolves around Rita, an immigrant from Bangladesh living as an undocumented refugee in Delhi. Her life is fraught with poverty and struggle, but she finds a glimmer of hope when Arijit, a retired diplomat, hires her as a household helper. Unbeknownst to Arijit, he has no idea about Rita’s true identity or her refugee status. Despite his good intentions, her life is intertwined with danger, which ultimately threatens him as well. Alongside Arijit, his fiancée also tries to help Rita. However, the story offers even more surprises as it unfolds, taking readers to different states and deeper into the narrative. To discover more about Rita’s journey, I highly recommend reading this book.

The story is infused with a range of contemporary emotions beyond just pain and sorrow. While the format is primarily drama-based, I felt an intense thriller element throughout. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Arijit and his fiancée; their roles were blended seamlessly to create an engaging narrative. The pacing of the story is steady—not too fast, yet not too slow—which allowed me to read it at a comfortable pace and truly grasp the essence of the tale. The book delves into various struggles faced by immigrants, highlighting the importance of documentation, the challenges of an undocumented lifestyle, the reasons for seeking refuge, religious issues, etc. It captures the complexities of refugee experiences in a comprehensive manner. Overall, it was a rollercoaster of a read for me

It’s easy for us to read or watch a movie about refugees and feel sympathy for a few moments before returning to our daily routines. However, their struggle for survival and the pursuit of a normal life is immense and often overlooked. This book delves deeply into those challenges, offering a crystal-clear narration that captures their experiences. The author, a journalist by profession, skillfully pens this narrative, ensuring that the complexities of this genre are presented with both depth and clarity.

The vocabulary in this book is as rich as its content. An absolute beginner might struggle with some of the words, given the advanced language used throughout. However, for a story addressing such sensitive and contemporary issues, this choice of words enhances the reading experience. While the story may be fictional, I believe the processes and struggles Rita endures are grounded in reality, reflecting the experiences that journalists often highlight. This is just my perception after engaging with such a thoughtfully written book.

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