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A Comma In A Sentence
A simple, Heart-warming tale of an ordinary family from South India Living through extraordinary times of change.
In the early 1800s, in the small, sheltered village of vilakkudi in the Tajaore district of Tamil Nadu, Ranganathan, a small-time landowner, was raising his children, at the time unaffected by British rule in India or upheavals in the rest of the world. As time passed, railways were built and newspapers appeared, isolated villages like vilakkudi were exposed to social and cultural change. It is this transition that the author, Ranganathans great -great-great grandson, tries to trace through the story of his family.
In the early 1800s, in the small, sheltered village of vilakkudi in the Tajaore district of Tamil Nadu, Ranganathan, a small-time landowner, was raising his children, at the time unaffected by British rule in India or upheavals in the rest of the world. As time passed, railways were built and newspapers appeared, isolated villages like vilakkudi were exposed to social and cultural change. It is this transition that the author, Ranganathans great -great-great grandson, tries to trace through the story of his family.
- GenresNonfictionIndia
164 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 2013
15 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
R. Gopalakrishnan
56 books21 followersR. Gopalakrishnan has been a professional manager for forty years. He has a wealth of practical managerial experience, initially in Unilever and more recently in the Tata Group. He has lived and worked in India, the UK and Saudi Arabia, and has travelled extensively all over the world. He began his career in 1967 as a computer analyst with Hindustan Lever after studying physics at Kolkata and electronics engineering at IIT, Kharagpur. He worked in the marketing function before moving to general management. During his years with Unilever, he was based in Jeddah as CEO of the Arabia unit; later, he was managing director of Brooke Bond Lipton India and then vice-chairman with Hindustan Lever. He has been president of the All India Management Association. Currently, he is the executive director of Tata Sons based in Mumbai. He also serves on the boards of other companies.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 5, 2023
A comma in a sentence - R Gopalakrishnan (RG)
Rating 2/5.
RG happens to be a management guy, having worked his way up the corporate ladder ending up as member of Board of Directors. Over the years, I have worked with so many management team (middle level to top level share holders) that, I know very well, "To take everything management says with a pinch of salt". I wish I had recollected my own learning, then I would have saved some quid and left off the purchase of this book, never mind.
RG claims this book to be an 'extra ordinary change in an ordinary family over six generations'. I hate to admit I disagree. This book is cleverly disguised as a change over six generations. In reality I could only come across three generations accurately rest three generations were just fictious writing but over here too I saw the change as less and history of India which was more.
RG himself admits he seems to be influenced by following three things
-> Punjabi Century by Prakash Tandon (may be for concept).
-> Malgudi Days by RK Narayan (may be for style).
-> Roots by Alex Haley (may be for content).
The book has 60 odd pages about RG himself his childhood, his college, plus his work then lessons from his work. It has few pages on RG's father Rajam and his job, siblings etc.
What really lacked was a deep introspection about change in society and norms during the 20th century, when British were there and when British took off. I was searching and searching but found none. What I found in the end was RG's appreciation for his forefathers', relatives, siblings etc etc.
I understand they got educated they went to prestigious colleges IIT, Princeton, Harvard, worked at reputed organizations, but many of that time did, why should I solely read this book?
Superficial changes happening about in the family and society have been mentioned. Book gives a good insight into history, Madras Famine, Bengal Famine, Independence a little insight into Netaji whom RG addresses as 'Subhas'. It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who was 'Subhas' in the context, it turned out to be Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. My bad.
RG's father Rajam had played a great helping hand and had been of very important service during Bengal famine. RG got a letter commemorating his role during Bengal Famine. And can you believe RG lost that letter, much to everyone's suprise and embarassment? How can you lose such a piece of memorabilia is beyond my comprehension.
One observation I made on my own, RG's father Rajam quit job in his forties owing to not so good treatment at workplace. RG too was in line to become CEO of Unilever, but then another candidate was chosen, can you guess what RG did, he jumped ship to TATA sons!. Isn't my observation or guess out of this world!
In my opinion, I would not recommend this book to anyone, there are plenty of other great books out there. If you are looking for a simple, superficial read with some highlights on Indian history, you can try this book out.
Cheers,
Rating 2/5.
RG happens to be a management guy, having worked his way up the corporate ladder ending up as member of Board of Directors. Over the years, I have worked with so many management team (middle level to top level share holders) that, I know very well, "To take everything management says with a pinch of salt". I wish I had recollected my own learning, then I would have saved some quid and left off the purchase of this book, never mind.
RG claims this book to be an 'extra ordinary change in an ordinary family over six generations'. I hate to admit I disagree. This book is cleverly disguised as a change over six generations. In reality I could only come across three generations accurately rest three generations were just fictious writing but over here too I saw the change as less and history of India which was more.
RG himself admits he seems to be influenced by following three things
-> Punjabi Century by Prakash Tandon (may be for concept).
-> Malgudi Days by RK Narayan (may be for style).
-> Roots by Alex Haley (may be for content).
The book has 60 odd pages about RG himself his childhood, his college, plus his work then lessons from his work. It has few pages on RG's father Rajam and his job, siblings etc.
What really lacked was a deep introspection about change in society and norms during the 20th century, when British were there and when British took off. I was searching and searching but found none. What I found in the end was RG's appreciation for his forefathers', relatives, siblings etc etc.
I understand they got educated they went to prestigious colleges IIT, Princeton, Harvard, worked at reputed organizations, but many of that time did, why should I solely read this book?
Superficial changes happening about in the family and society have been mentioned. Book gives a good insight into history, Madras Famine, Bengal Famine, Independence a little insight into Netaji whom RG addresses as 'Subhas'. It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who was 'Subhas' in the context, it turned out to be Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. My bad.
RG's father Rajam had played a great helping hand and had been of very important service during Bengal famine. RG got a letter commemorating his role during Bengal Famine. And can you believe RG lost that letter, much to everyone's suprise and embarassment? How can you lose such a piece of memorabilia is beyond my comprehension.
One observation I made on my own, RG's father Rajam quit job in his forties owing to not so good treatment at workplace. RG too was in line to become CEO of Unilever, but then another candidate was chosen, can you guess what RG did, he jumped ship to TATA sons!. Isn't my observation or guess out of this world!
In my opinion, I would not recommend this book to anyone, there are plenty of other great books out there. If you are looking for a simple, superficial read with some highlights on Indian history, you can try this book out.
Cheers,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2015
It is the story or rather history of an ordinary family which one can easily relate to. But the narrative is so beautiful it takes us through a journey through last two hundred years making us feel one among that family. It also makes us wonder what our ancestors had gone through during that time. It makes me curious about how my ancestors had managed the worldly changes at various stages. A very good read. A beautiful journey.
May 24, 2019
I really loved how the narration had continuity... The changes in the generations and the facts about our own agraharam were enlightening... It was kind of sad and emotional to note how the traditions have changed over the generations and also how the thinking process of every individual has changed.
June 19, 2015
It's a pretty straight forward and rather mundane book on the moral evolution of the Indian society.Often blurring the lines between fiction and autobiography,Gopalakrishanan eventually loses his grip on the narrative.As the soporific history of an ordinary Tam-Bram family unfolds amidst all the cataclysmic socio-political changes,the characters finds themselves fighting against moral conundrums.Though all of it sounds good, the writing is not forceful enough to let you feel the pain of these characters.Truth be said,the author never intended this to be a literary masterpiece and he cannot be blamed for it.
May 2, 2016
One of those books which have a bright start but after one point you just want it to end. The book starts with the life of the author's predecessors from a village in Tamil Nadu, how the generations thereafter have evolved with the advent of railways, telegram, etc. The author then details his father migrating to Calcutta in search of better career prospects & his own journey as a student in Calcutta. The anecdotes mentioned by the author were often tasteless & irrelevant to an outsider.
April 14, 2022
A heartwarming story of a middle-class family with traditional values transiting from the village life to being Modern, Urban, and Liberal (MUL). RG narrates the lives and times of his ancestors with understanding and imagination as to how they adapted to modernism and how they allowed their next generation to leave their village for better opportunities knowing fully well the risks involved and the dilution it entails in their traditional values.
In a way, this is the story of every middle-class family of the early 20th century who graduated to modern life from an agrarian background. It is not unusual that the patriarch of the village household gets his elder son educated by investing all that he has and the son migrates to the city and takes the responsibility of educating all his siblings. All the stories may not be as outstanding as that of Rajam and his progeny, they however are as redeeming and as liberating, all the same.
The beauty lies in RG managing to weave an absorbing narrative from a quotidian life of common people by lacing it with historical events of the time. He narrates the awe-inspired by the advent of the steam engine, valve radio, postal services etc. with a sense of humor.
He finally concludes that the things that matter for a happy life are Education, stable relationships, desisting from alcoholism & smoking, loving siblings & friends, healthy exercise & weight, and an ability to adapt.
Nice read!
In a way, this is the story of every middle-class family of the early 20th century who graduated to modern life from an agrarian background. It is not unusual that the patriarch of the village household gets his elder son educated by investing all that he has and the son migrates to the city and takes the responsibility of educating all his siblings. All the stories may not be as outstanding as that of Rajam and his progeny, they however are as redeeming and as liberating, all the same.
The beauty lies in RG managing to weave an absorbing narrative from a quotidian life of common people by lacing it with historical events of the time. He narrates the awe-inspired by the advent of the steam engine, valve radio, postal services etc. with a sense of humor.
He finally concludes that the things that matter for a happy life are Education, stable relationships, desisting from alcoholism & smoking, loving siblings & friends, healthy exercise & weight, and an ability to adapt.
Nice read!
September 14, 2019
A progressive story of a generation
I picked up the book because it was free on Kindle unlimited. It is indeed a success story of a generation when the facilities and exposure where limited and yet they dared dream.
I picked up the book because it was free on Kindle unlimited. It is indeed a success story of a generation when the facilities and exposure where limited and yet they dared dream.
May 21, 2018
A sweet read about a Tamil family & the values they have through 6 generations have inculcated in their children. A charming read, good for an evening sipping tea at the fire side.
August 14, 2024
Beautifully told...
Nostalgia of malgudi days !!!!!!
Nostalgia of malgudi days !!!!!!
July 5, 2020
It's like a veg sandwich with autobiography on one end and major historical events on other and there is some introspection and advice in between.
Lacks flavour of a burger but still nice read for Indian reader who wants to read realistic content. Slow at points but Indian history is mixed nicely. Depiction of Calcutta and his village villakudi is engaging and informative.
Book that puts little strain on brain with lovely cover and small size, it's worth a shot. But reader should not over expect.
Lacks flavour of a burger but still nice read for Indian reader who wants to read realistic content. Slow at points but Indian history is mixed nicely. Depiction of Calcutta and his village villakudi is engaging and informative.
Book that puts little strain on brain with lovely cover and small size, it's worth a shot. But reader should not over expect.
December 19, 2019
a coma in a sentence - R. Gopalakrishnan
A nice read about a families transition from the 1800`s to the 2000's, convering 6 generations, 200 years depicts so much of values, progress and change across the timeline. Whilst one can find change and progress across generations, the values get passed on, may be slightly modified but yet preserved. From an entrepreneurial mindset the book highlights a lot traits of venturing in to the Unkown, being responsible, taking risks, an aptitude for learning and more.
#LoveToRead #BookLovers #dntjbookclub
A nice read about a families transition from the 1800`s to the 2000's, convering 6 generations, 200 years depicts so much of values, progress and change across the timeline. Whilst one can find change and progress across generations, the values get passed on, may be slightly modified but yet preserved. From an entrepreneurial mindset the book highlights a lot traits of venturing in to the Unkown, being responsible, taking risks, an aptitude for learning and more.
#LoveToRead #BookLovers #dntjbookclub
Read
May 11, 2023It’s a delightful narration of a family from a village to the metropolis, straddling several generations. Most of us Indians, but especially those who made it good, can relate to this story, which would be strikingly similar to their own. The difference would arise from the ability of the narrator to bring it up so beautifully as indeed done by Gopalakrishnan.
January 30, 2014
A simple tale spanning many generations, told in a standard English with the least fiction. it may not keep one bound to it but it will for sure make one look back and understand where we stand.
Read a complete review in the below blog:
http://misteriousdays.wordpress.com/2...
Read a complete review in the below blog:
http://misteriousdays.wordpress.com/2...
March 30, 2014
Such a well written book with a very interesting slice of Indian history and a few refreshing nuggets of worldly wisdom. Gopalakrishnan through a narrative about his own family going back generations and the socio economic environment surrounding it leaves you feeling rather proud about your own heritage and ancestory in India.
September 18, 2014
The flow of the book is very natural. A must read book to learn a lot about Indian value. One can immediately connect with his/her life. Lot of day to day anecdotes to learn from.
June 16, 2015
Couldn't establish attachment to this biograhpy
January 25, 2016
One of those interesting books you find on Pati's shelf.
February 16, 2016
While writing about the family history of 200 years. The author tries to look in to various aspects of society as well. Interesting and quick read.
Read
January 1, 2017A very good book to follow the author through changing times. It indirectly shows the way to deal with change- just accept it and incorporate it.. there is no need to be overwhelmed.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews