The Tutor of History

Ms. Thapa's novel follows the lives of a variety of characters in the lead-up to local and national elections in a small town in central Nepal. She drwas the reader in by illuminating the interior dramas of many characters, each of whom is engaged in conflict with various societal issues, whether they be gender based, substance abuse, personal philosophy, economic or other. Having spent a good amount of time in Nepa, I was able to recognize the town, the peoples, the physical lay-out, and other atmospheric elements that Ms. Thapa beautifully evokes. Om, the Gurung landowner, Binita, a young widower, various Bahuns trying to uphold what they see as their endangered status, and many others are recognizable individuals that illustrate the complex ethnic and cultural mix of this Himalayan country. She has a special knack for evoking the hard life that many women endure in village life: limited opportunities, limited dreams, and often long, drawn out sad endings.The build up to the election is very well orchestrated, with suitable tension among the different factions battling it out. Her language is not overly ornate, but rather suitably simple in that it accurately reflects her characters. When needed, when warranted, her writing reveals deep and compicated thought on her characters parts. And she is equally adept at bringing in the ever changing environment - the changing rythms of agriculture, of nature, the hot and dusty towns, the constant traffic on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway, the day and the night.Well worth reading, as is her other book "Forget Kathmandu: an Elegy for Democracy." If you want to understand contemporary Nepal, then you should start with Ms. Thapa's works.

Read this book basically because it was an English book written by a Nepali. Being a Nepali myself, and reading mostly English books, I was keen to read this. Unfortuantely, have in recent years been very selective and have read many good books in the past few months. For example, BP Koirala's Atmabrittanta, and many presidential memoirs.The author has researched well for this book. It is interesting to read about a place outside the Kathmandu Valley and what life is like in a small town in Nepal. The book is based upon a few people who undergo changes in their life due to an upcoming National election. However, the story leads nowhere. There is nothing really special about the story, nothing really happens. It is just a description of the lives of a few people in that town during a few months. I was waiting and waiting for something interesting to happen, but nothing does- I waited, and read till the end, for some form of spark, but it does not ignite. There are lots of better books out there, thats well worth your time. Dont waste your time on this one. Unless you want to read a novel in English by a Nepali Author.

I appreciate the prompt and very well packaged delivery.The copy came in brand new condition and the print quality is excellent.The author revealed the inside stories of electoral politics of Nepal as it goes through the pangs of democracy and as the populace becomes aware of their rights.The Tutor of History covers critical periods in Nepal's history. Manjushree Thapa has woven the turmoils and turbulences in the lives of Nepalese people of all stratas vividly and in a compelling narrative.Through the eyes of Binita she paints a canvas of agonies of a young widow and her desires to break out of the moral dilemma to lead a normal life in a patriarchal society.A very illuminating and absorbing novel.

Perfect blend of political and personal.... Gives a detailed insight into Nepali Politics, society and it's inhabitants....

i loved the simplicity with which Manjushree Thapa has demonstrated the political and social conditions of Nepal, without failing to unravel the helplessness of human relationships.