This is a story set against the backdrop of the Indian war for independence. The war was fought on several fronts – non-violent as well as violent. It will be extremely difficult to say what got us freedom – it was a culmination of the efforts of all. Suraj, the lead protagonist, coming from an affluent family in east India is one such hero.
But the story starts in 2000. We are introduced to Prithvi who is in jail as a corrupt customs officer. He is a top intelligence officer, who is working undercover to trap a corrupt politician. And right in the beginning, we realise that he takes after his great-granduncle Suraj, who would go to any extremes for the successful execution of the plan. This sets the tone for what is to come in the following pages. And the story does not disappoint.
We travel back to Bengal of the pre-independence period. Suraj is born into a conventional family. But Suraj is unconventional. He is a complex character. He loves his parents but is unable to show his love. He is introduced to revolutionaries early in his life, and his focus changes. He is an active member of this war for independence. He takes risks that others will not take. His life is a deception – for the goal of freedom.
The Eclipsed Sun is a work of fiction, but references to many well-known revolutionaries with whom Suraj came in contact and who influenced him make this an extremely relatable story.
The story gets a little drawn out sometimes, but overall, I loved the storytelling. There was not a dull moment. The other characters in the life of Suraj are also well-written. They are strong characters by themselves as they support the story of Suraj. I am looking forward to a sequel narrating Prithvi’s story.
The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of Behind Closed Doors (2023), The Gymnast (2022), and The Life and Times of a Common Man.
Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, The Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.