Everyone has a story
Nausheen Rahman reads tales well told
What starts out as a thrilling depiction of a dangerous situation soon takes on the form of an engrossing set of stories recounted by the different characters in Chitra Divakaruni's One Amazing Thing. A severe earthquake strikes an American city; nine people (including two consulate employees) are trapped inside an Indian Consulate Visa Office. As things go from bad to worse, an affinity gradually develops amongst these nine individuals. These are people of different nationalities, ages and temperaments, all brought together by a common fate. Most of them had been waiting for their turn to be called for the interview (with different thoughts in their minds) when disaster had struck. These people have no idea if they'll get out alive; hopes of being able to survive come and go. Fear and desperation evoke different reactions. They start running low on food, water, patience, courage. One member of the group is Uma, an Indian girl who has grown up in America and who has always been interested in the secrets of strangers. It is her idea that the hapless people stranded there start telling their stories. She says: "Everyone has a story. I don't believe anyone can go through life without encountering at least one amazing thing". It is this 'one amazing thing' in each character's life that this book offers in the enjoyable stories woven around it. Each story highlights the one amazing thing in the teller's life. The stories are about very different things, things that have had deep, far-reaching effects. Uma explains to everyone that in these very difficult and frightening circumstances, they can keep their stress away by telling an important story from their lives. Some warm up to the suggestion, others need goading. In the face of impending death, trying hard to keep their morale up, they start talking ………………… about feelings hitherto unuttered, sometimes even unacknowledged. The ancient art of storytelling casts its spell over the group. The person telling the story experiences a sort of catharsis, and the listeners get inextricably caught up in the narration. The relating of very personal, very poignant happenings to complete strangers seems to thaw reserves and to actually lighten some of the tension. Past incidents surface and pent up emotions are released as people recall memories, important and trivial. In addition to the mesmerizing stories is the graphic description of the scene inside the visa office where conditions are deteriorating: "It was as though a giant had placed his mouth against the building's foundation and roared"; "the giant took the building in both his hands and shook it". In the midst of the touching efforts for survival, people find a strange peace and relief through unexpected camaraderie they have unwittingly built up. The group consists of an interesting medley of characters. There's Jiang, a Chinese woman, and her talented granddaughter, Lily. Jiang tells her heartbreaking story. Mr. Pritchett's story goes straight to the heart, especially of those who value attachments with their pets. A young Muslim boy, Tariq's rancour at America's treatment of Muslims is expressed intensely through his story; it is bound to leave a lasting impression. Mangalam's account drives home the fact that circumstances can affect or change a person's nature. Mrs. Pritchett describes her fascinating spiritual encounter. Cameron, a Black American ex-soldier, feels a compulsion to atone for the wrong he feels he has done. Uma's story leaves us awe-struck as we read her description of her surreal experience, an experience that had made her get her life back on track. Divakaruni leaves the conclusion unresolved. Even though it seems that, with the end of Uma's story, will come the end to all their lives, readers cannot be sure. That only adds to the beauty of the book. I recommend this book strongly to all those who get bewitched by tales well told tales.
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