The Kashmir Shawl - a dear read

 

Book title: The Kashmir Shawl

Book author: Rosie Thomas

When Barbara recommended this book to me, I added this to my reading list like a precious thing, almost like a precious shawl I would keep in the almirah for wearing on a special occasion. I wanted to read this book when I am in no hurry—so that I can savor every bit of the story like a favorite dessert.

Kashmir is a favorite place, and reading about it is like revisiting all the good memories, in a format I adore most. A book titled “The Kashmir Shawl” only raised the excitement in me. And it turned out like any other recommendations by Barbara—authentic! The story spans between two timelines - one during WWII, a Presbyterian missionary and his wife were moving from Leh to Srinagar. And the other - a Welsh woman is visiting India, also Leh and Srinagar to trace back the history of a Kashmir shawl. Both sets present some surprisingly fresh stories. And they are so authentic - reading the afterwards of the book it became clear the author just did not write the book out of fantasy, she did mountaineering in these beautiful regions, got familiar with the cultures and this experience made her stories pristine. 

Rosie Thomas brought the essence of India, and of these touristy places in the novel. When Mair was walking on the alleys of Leh, the picture was so clear to me, even though I did not visit Leh before. That was how powerful the author’s descriptions were. The man is Kashmiri, hence he is born to sell. LOL. Butcher shop with oozing goat head, tongue hanging to attract the flies, local guides judging an European tourist for giving someone excess tip compared to their rates – I was nodding all the time. When Rosie mentioned the sugary tea of India, my lips broke into a smile to relate the taste.

Nerys knew that she would never forget the afternoon of the long, gasping climb up to the Baralacha Pass. When at last she staggered up to the highest point, at sixteen thousand feet, it was as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of her brain and her blood, leaving her whole body as limp as string.

It was so good to read how a century ago, the woman felt what I felt in Baralacha Pass on my trip to Manali. I very much enjoyed the adventures and the travel scenes of this book, from Manali, Ladakh, Kashmir. There was this part of the book that paints a picture of a Swiss village, which too I enjoyed very much. Bruno’s cabin in a Swiss village in the mountains absolutely amazed me. Rustic with a touch of modernity, the quietness of mountains made me want to move in a cabin like that, live there, all my life.

I read a kindle copy, it's free in kindle! And switched to listening when I was walking/commuting. The audio narration was as good as the story! Loved the use of accents to distinguish an Indian character with an European.

The book hit me more personally, as I am weak for the Himalayan tours. Thanks to Rosie for her brilliant stories nestling in the most beautiful mountains, and to Barbara for sharing this absolute gem with me!

Read my notes and highlights from the book