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Tin Fish
Book by Chakravarti, Sudeep
237 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 25, 2011
Set in the 1970s in a boarding school in Rajasthan, 'Tin Fish' is the story of four friends and their 'wonder years'. 'Tin Fish', named after the canned fish that was a regular in the narrator's tuck box, and which brought with the comfort and familiarity of home and family.
Narrated by Brandy, short for Barun Ray, this is the story of his days at May, spent with his best friends - Fish, Porridge and PT Shoe, each of whom bring to Mayo, their own baggage, even before they can understand the word.
The book seems (at least) partially autobiographical as the author is able to easily get into the mind of a child and then his transition into teenage - the whirlwind of emotions, the discoveries, the first crush, the pain of loss and most importantly the understanding that nothing lasts forever.
Each character is well etched, with its own own idiosyncrasies, and relationship with other characters. From the obsession with 'gora chicks' and Zeenie Baby to Mick Jagger and the plans to form the 'Get Lost on the Ganga and All That' band, the book is about coming to terms - not just with a world outside the confines of the fishbowl that is the 'Mayo world' - the outside world with Emergency, a urine drinking prime minister etc but also their own world - one which shows them that joy, sadness, love, hatred, despair, anger, pity etc all go hand in hand. Witty, wistful and poignant, its a book about the loss of innocence.
And then there's the slang, that would go something like "its a cool breeze book, read it ya". :)
Narrated by Brandy, short for Barun Ray, this is the story of his days at May, spent with his best friends - Fish, Porridge and PT Shoe, each of whom bring to Mayo, their own baggage, even before they can understand the word.
The book seems (at least) partially autobiographical as the author is able to easily get into the mind of a child and then his transition into teenage - the whirlwind of emotions, the discoveries, the first crush, the pain of loss and most importantly the understanding that nothing lasts forever.
Each character is well etched, with its own own idiosyncrasies, and relationship with other characters. From the obsession with 'gora chicks' and Zeenie Baby to Mick Jagger and the plans to form the 'Get Lost on the Ganga and All That' band, the book is about coming to terms - not just with a world outside the confines of the fishbowl that is the 'Mayo world' - the outside world with Emergency, a urine drinking prime minister etc but also their own world - one which shows them that joy, sadness, love, hatred, despair, anger, pity etc all go hand in hand. Witty, wistful and poignant, its a book about the loss of innocence.
And then there's the slang, that would go something like "its a cool breeze book, read it ya". :)
June 7, 2015
Some books are enjoyable purely for their nostalgic value. I imagine that’s why a rash of memoirs have been cropping up in recent years, first saluting the Greatest Generation and now reminiscing about the 60’s and 70’s. Tin Fish, by Sudeep Chakravarti is a novel of nostalgia. In India, anyone you meet who has survived public boarding school is full of rosy memories of times had and friends made. Tin Fish memorializes Class 10 of 1979 at Mayo College.
Besides the obvious episodes about girls, teachers, friends and students, Chakravarti uses a very schoolboy-esque language to add to the nostalgia factor of the book. Not only do the characters talk in the slang of the day, but so does the narrator. The sentences are long enough to risk being run-on and the syntax is rather free form. This makes for a quick, but not particularly in-depth read. Also, as the reader screams through the story at break-neck speed, he has a tendency to miss the small specks of important detail the author occasionally drops in among the slang and youthful angst. Despite the literary shortcomings, Tin Fish is a must read for anyone who looks back fondly at his time attending or teaching at an Indian boarding school.
Besides the obvious episodes about girls, teachers, friends and students, Chakravarti uses a very schoolboy-esque language to add to the nostalgia factor of the book. Not only do the characters talk in the slang of the day, but so does the narrator. The sentences are long enough to risk being run-on and the syntax is rather free form. This makes for a quick, but not particularly in-depth read. Also, as the reader screams through the story at break-neck speed, he has a tendency to miss the small specks of important detail the author occasionally drops in among the slang and youthful angst. Despite the literary shortcomings, Tin Fish is a must read for anyone who looks back fondly at his time attending or teaching at an Indian boarding school.
April 30, 2020
I didn't particularly like it, but I'd been wanting to read for a long time. Poor Fish.
March 14, 2020
For me a curate's egg. Parts read so beautifully and poignantly; two deaths rock not only the protagonist but the youthful world into which the reader has access. Death overall is dealt with beautifully by Chakravarti.
But as a whole, the text didn't cohere for me. The insistence on repeating the "PM's piss in a bottle" refrain went way beyond the genre's engagement with childish delight in imagery to simply reach cringing annoyance. Perhaps the novel was overly long. In any case, a good read, but often a rounded psychological portrait of growing pains was sacrificed in favour of a more surface-level representation.
But as a whole, the text didn't cohere for me. The insistence on repeating the "PM's piss in a bottle" refrain went way beyond the genre's engagement with childish delight in imagery to simply reach cringing annoyance. Perhaps the novel was overly long. In any case, a good read, but often a rounded psychological portrait of growing pains was sacrificed in favour of a more surface-level representation.
September 6, 2023
it’s really good and quick read! has some moments that are really moving along with times that are super funny and the epitome of friendship! i like that it had elements of hard times as well as fun and games! made me feel like i was in school again!
June 26, 2016
Tin Fish is a lovely book about a boy's time in Mayo College. I'm not sure if it was autobiographical or not, but even if it isn't, the writing is pretty nice, and as a high schooler, I found it very engaging. The characters are not really well fleshed out, and the story isn't very original, but the shortcomings are outweighed by the fact that it was relatable at the time, and he didn't go all Chetan Bhagat and write a series of similar books. At least, none that I found.
April 1, 2015
picked up this book in the airport as the reviews made it seem like a light breezy read for a 5 hour journey and boy!! it did not disappoint. For a post 90s child, this book is a revelation about how my dad's life could have been and more.. lovely intertwining of the political environment and student life captured with such an impeccable flow from one episode to another. don't miss this.
May 22, 2015
I love boarding school stories. Having said that, I had only read Malory Towers and St. Clare's by Enid Blyton. And of course, the Harry Potter series. Tin Fish is closer home and paints a vivid picture of the boys' hostel. A great YA book. Wish I had read it much earlier.
November 30, 2011
One of the most engaging school stories I've ever read.
May 19, 2013
As a fellow boarder (Scindia) and a day school-er at Modern BK, it brought back memories that only a few would appreciate. Nicely done.
December 25, 2013
Engaging read. Certain portions were anchored and flooded by my own memories. Reminds me of Dead Poets Society.
January 14, 2016
Lovely, light read about friendship, growing up, and India in the 70s.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews