“The Ministry of Utmost Happiness”- Hanna

Book Review

One of the rewarding books that I have recently read is “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” by
Arundhati Roy. The title of the book refers to is about, how happiness is perceived differently by
different people, which encase the whole idea that the novel deals with.

“The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” is a discursive novel, which can be categorized as a
contemporary literary fiction, that has two shores, one proceeds with Anjum, a hijra or trans-
woman, who is struggling hard to make a life for herself in Delhi, the other comes after S.Tilottama, an architect turned activist and the three men who fall in love with her.
The novel takes the reader from the story coming out from the neighborhoods of old Delhi into
the prosperous capital and beyond, to the valley of Kashmir and to the forests of central India. It
is at once a weeping love story and a firm protest against the discords in the society. The
protagonists mentioned in the stories are people who have been broken by the society they live
in.

The first part of the novel is Anjum’s story with a large cast of characters in it, in which each of
them have their own stories to tell. Anjum, born as Aftab, who is neither masculine nor feminine,
and is ignored by the society for being a trans-woman. Anjum’s story develops in a Khwabgah,
who later moves into a graveyard, where a community of outcasts band together.
The second story is that of Tilo, it actually encapsulates the life of the author, Arundhati Roy
itself. The story spools out the issues faced by her all through her life. It touches issues of caste,
religious hatreds, gender divisions, corruption etc. in it.

Both the plots have a common thread, as both Anjum and Tilottama, yearn to save a new born
baby, which depict the hardships faced by each women, who would love to raise their children in
a life free from conflicts plaguing India. The two stories carry a lot of meanings and metaphors
in it, that at some point made it difficult to comprehend.

Although, there are some flaws, like the vast line-up of characters, which made it a little bit
confusing, however, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The author has managed to paint a
beautiful portrait of love and hope for the misfits and outcasts, for whom India offers no home,
along with which it also unfolds clashing of traditions and progress in India. It is obvious that the
whole book is heavenly written with spirited imagery nurtured aesthetically.

hannacelestialdreamer@gmail.com