Revisiting one of my favourite books

I fell in love with Vikram Seth’s work when I first came across A Suitable Boy. The story and the characters had such an impact on me that till date I am pained by Lata not marrying Amit. 

The association with Mr Seth’s work continued and in December 1999, at the turn of the millennium, when my aunt asked what I wanted as a birthday present, I asked for An Equal Music. She gifted it to me – but not before being told that a substantial amount of 500 rs could have been spent in a more worthwhile manner, for example on clothes. I laughed. I had had the same discussion when my father bought me A Suitable Boy some years earlier. I was a student so I was dependent on my benefactors to give me these wonderful presents.

The money didn’t matter. Little else gives me more pleasure than a book which one can cherish forever. I was happy that my decision this time was also the right one.

A Suitable Boy had impressed me with the beautiful simplicity of Mr Seth’s work.  An Equal Music (AEM) raised him in my estimation by several notches.

Many people believe it is easy to write in a simple manner. They are mistaken. It is easy to use difficult words in an attempt to seem more well-read and well-versed with a broad range of vocabulary, but it is a skill to write simply and at the same time create a wonderful story that leaves a lasting impression on the readers. That’s what AEM did.

I love music and I knew that AEM was a love story involving musicians. But I have no technical knowledge of music.

As the book unfolded, I was taken aback at the level of in-depth knowledge of music in the book and my respect for Mr Seth’s work grew. He could not only write a beautiful love story, but he also had real knowledge of music. Another feather in his cap!

Another stark difference which stood out was how ‘English’ the book was. If A Suitable Boy was at heart Indian in its characters and themes, AEM was as British as it could get. The contrast was incredible.

The book was like a painting with the scenes described so beautifully, especially in the parts where there was no dialogue, only settings. I could identify with every moment in the lives of Michael and Julia; in the happy times and the sadness; in the surprise and the shock.

I read the book first in 1999 and then again after visiting the UK some years later, to revisit the memories left in my head from my first reading and to identify with the places Mr Seth had written about.

My favourite scene remains the one where Michael has spotted Julia reading a book on a bus five feet away from him, but is unable to get to her despite his best efforts. The writing is deeply reflective of the angst within Michael and his attempt to read Julia’s mind and expressions. 

A beautiful line in the book sums up his feelings: “The two layers of glass between us, like a prison visit by a loved one after many years.”

Over the years, I have recommended many of Vikram Seth’s books to my friends and colleagues in different parts of the world. They have written back to me to say they cried on reading this one. The language of love is indeed universal.