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A Review on the Book

Freedom at

MidnightChapter 1 - 10

Dr. Tajkia HaqueRoll no. 5028

Book detailsTitle: Freedom at midnight

Writers: Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

Publisher: Vikash Publishing House Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, India

Year: 1st published in 1975New Edition - 1997

No. of Chapter:

20

Total page: 629

Authors Dominique Lapierre (born in 1931),

a French writer

Larry Collins (1929 - 2005) an American writer

Two friends wrote a number of bestselling novels on historical background.

Each wrote in his own language, and it was published simultaneously before being translated into sixteen other languages.

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Overview of the book

The book makes its reader feel like being direct witness of the liberation events of Indian subcontinent.

An excellent narrative of the events leading up to India's independence.

Authors do an excellent job of blending the human side of things along with the fact; they take us on a once-in-a-lifetime kind of ride that is bound to change our perceptions regarding the history.

Overview of the book

This is one of the best researched history of the people behind India's Independence movement.

The build up towards independence and its aftermath are written in such a style that it all appears like dramatic fiction.

Chapter 1

‘A Race Destined to Govern and Subdue’

Post-war pathetic condition of London is expressed by the pale Christmas and New year celebration.

They only had the blue and gold document, the British passport which guarantees their entry to almost a quarter of the earth’s surface.

‘A Race Destined to Govern and Subdue’

British Prime minister Clement Atlee selected Lord Mountbatten as the last viceroy of British India.

Chapter 2

‘Walk Alone, Walk Alone’

The image of Mahatma Gandhi is sketched in details.

Riot between Hindu and Muslim outburst in greater India is narrated here.

‘Walk Alone, Walk Alone’

Mahatma Gandhi alone continued his effort to keep peace in Noakhali with his Sattyagroho & Ahingsa.

Chapter 3

‘Leave India to God’

‘Leave India to God’

The background of commonwealth formation

Life history of Lord Mountbatten and Mahatma Gandhi

House of Commons voted to end British rule in India by June 1948.

Chapter 4

A Last Tattoo for the Dying Raj The story of colourful,

eventful and meaningful tenure of Louis Mountbatten and his glorious better half Edwina Mountbatten

It was the distinct method of dealing with the people of this subcontinent which was based on psycho-social understanding.

Chapter 5

An Old Man and his Shattered Dream

Mountbatten had a secret meeting with Nehru, Gandhi, Patel and Jinnah

Jinnah was strict on having Pakistan for Muslim.

Mountbatten finally agreed to the proposal which actually shattered the dream of Gandhi’s united India.

An Old Man and his Shattered Dream

Chapter 6

A Precious Little Place

The description of the very British-style summertime capital the gorgeous Shimla

The smart interaction of Nehru with Mountbatten couple in defining the future of the subcontinent is its content.

A Precious Little Place

It was Suhrawardy, who claimed independent Bangla for the first time.

Chapter 7

Palaces and Tigers, Elephants and Jewels

The life of the Maharajas of India.

Various sorts of interesting, sometimes peculiar and even odd lifestyle of the princes are portrayed in the chapter.

Although the positive stories are undermined in respect of the pessimistic events.

Chapter 8

A Day Cursed by the Stars Mountbatten impulsively

decided the date of partition (Aug 15, 1947) at a press conference

But the astrologers, ‘Jyotishis’, the most powerful occult body in India opposed the day due to its odd position according to their calculation and assumption.

Chapter 9

The Most Complex Divorce in History

The Partition process included attempt to divide

all government departments and their contents

the emotional bondage among its inhabitants .

Chapter 10

‘We will always remain brothers’

The other facets of the Indian independence story like the Kashmir problem and the issue of princely states have also been dealt in a very detailed manner

‘We will always remain brothers’

The crucial maps setting the boundary separating India and Pakistan were drawn by Cyril Radcliffe.

CriticismPositive Aspects:Positive Aspects: The writers had outstanding skill of presenting history in a form The writers had outstanding skill of presenting history in a form

of an interesting tale. of an interesting tale.

Touching review of complexity of human emotions of those Touching review of complexity of human emotions of those extraordinary days are expressed with mastery.extraordinary days are expressed with mastery.

This book has an excellent and gripping narrative, is This book has an excellent and gripping narrative, is exhaustively researched.exhaustively researched.

This book gives a 360 degree view of Indian freedom and gives This book gives a 360 degree view of Indian freedom and gives a vivid account of 1947 as if one were living in that time.a vivid account of 1947 as if one were living in that time.

I liked the poetic name of each chapter.I liked the poetic name of each chapter.

Negative Aspects:Negative Aspects: Based on thirty hours of interviews granted by Louis Based on thirty hours of interviews granted by Louis

Mountbatten to its authors. It is essentially a one-man Mountbatten to its authors. It is essentially a one-man version of how India won its independence. version of how India won its independence.

An exaggerated glorification of Mahatma Gandhi and An exaggerated glorification of Mahatma Gandhi and Mountbatten himself while neglects the other key players Mountbatten himself while neglects the other key players of those times such as Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Azad of those times such as Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Azad and many more.and many more.

Too much space has been given to cover the weird life Too much space has been given to cover the weird life

histories of the histories of the MaharajasMaharajas..

Due to Mountbatten's personal views, Nehru is portrayed Due to Mountbatten's personal views, Nehru is portrayed in extreme positivity and Jinnah is projected in extreme in extreme positivity and Jinnah is projected in extreme negativity. negativity.

Personal character of Suhrawardy is depicted in a Personal character of Suhrawardy is depicted in a pessimistic way which is really objectionable and seems pessimistic way which is really objectionable and seems to be irrelevant.to be irrelevant.

There is detail about Hindu and Muslim religion which There is detail about Hindu and Muslim religion which has some wrong & confusing information.has some wrong & confusing information.

The authors also do not seem well-versed in Indian The authors also do not seem well-versed in Indian history before the British confusing Muslims and history before the British confusing Muslims and Mughals.Mughals.

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ConclusionConclusion

The book is as entertaining as well as factual as this. Authors told the story in a casual style and managed to capture one of the most important years (1947) of world history. It describes historical events and portrays the personality of the important persons that played a role in it, but it also concentrates on the common people that lived in that time, on their dreams, on their beliefs. A lot of interesting details help to visualize what happened during the partition of India and Pakistan.

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