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Reviewed by Kathi Nidd for Readers' Favorite
Set in the beautiful and captivating cities and countryside of India, Slow, by Digonta Bordoloi tells the story of Baba, a young boy living his life at a slightly slower pace than others. The story begins with Baba's birth as he enters the world to a loving mother and father. Soon a brother, beloved dog, and numerous friends and extended family join the story of Baba's life. Baba spends his childhood and teenage years surrounded by the embrace of a huge family and traditional Indian culture as he embarks on childhood adventures such as school, travel and the mystery of girls. Baba takes on the world through a slightly different view than most, taking small things into consideration and relishing his "slowness" which allows him to stop and see the beauty around him. At age 15, as the temptation of young school girls push him and his numerous friends to embark on adventure, Baba's life takes a dramatic turn. From this point on, Baba has a new perspective on life as he now has new insight into his loved ones and friends. Providing guidance to his family and friends, Baba learns that he can help them through their own journeys. When Baba reconnects with his former best friend, Neloy, Baba embarks on his biggest challenge--helping Neloy see the truth about what is truly important in life.
Bordoloi provides the reader with intense imagery and a sense of Indian family and culture. One is immediately present in Baba's story; feeling the love of the large family, smelling the delicious food of holiday gatherings, and seeing the vast countryside from the vantage point of a rail car. With the unconventional writing style of varied points of view, Slow gives insight into the story from numerous family members, giving a 360 degree insight into Baba. Bordoloi masterfully creates engaging characters that we immediately care for and allows for a complete escape into the beauty of India and the ups and downs of a little boy's life.
Midway through this novel, the story of Baba takes an unforeseen and startling turn which yanks the reader from the comfortable pace of Baba's story. This turn grasps and shocks with enough power to provide immediate suspense and curiosity. The second half of the novel embarks on Baba's story from a completely different perspective and intrigued me to the point of not being able to put the book down. I recommend Slow as a great escape from ordinary stories and conventional plots and writing styles. Bordoloi has mastered a story that is unlike any I have read before.
