COOLIE

History Fiction has always been a love for me. First published in 1936, this book has totally done justice in showing readers a perfect picture of Pre-Independence India.

Reading about the lives of Indians at that time, and, somehow being able to correlate it with the stories of my grandparents was one of my favourite things to do.
Anand, one of the finest writers of his times, has beautifully portrayed the character of a "fifth pass" boy Munoo and his forever dream to become like the "sahibs" and "babus" of that time. 

A pampered kid since forever, this book made me realize how hard is the life of an orphan. Munoo's life taught me how lucky I am. How I didn't have to work for my living, and how I lived my childhood just like a normal child.

According to google coolie means

coolie

ˈkuːli/

noun

1. datedoffensive

   an unskilled native labourer in India, China, and some other Asian countries.

Anand has actually, truly and amazingly displayed this character through Munoo's life. This book actually contained all the emotions one experiences in his life. From fear to pain, from happiness to loneliness, adventure to agony.

The journey of this young teen boy from Hills to the city of dreams (Bombay) and then to Shimla is worth a read.

This is one of the rare gems of Indian literature. If you are looking something in this genre i will definitely recommend you to pick it up. 



I rate it 4/5.

Author:- (Mulk Raj Anand)