The Drop and the Glop by Sanjiv Saran is a work of fiction that spans the South Asian subcontinent during the political tumult of the 60s leading to the war that involved Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Saran narrates the story through several first-person accounts covering all manner of daily life, from the simplicity of an American visitor requesting boring cornflakes from a talented cook to the realities of war and depictions of mass bloodshed. The latter are interspersed with narrative changes that include individual vignettes as every moment of the war is described. All of the characters develop throughout the novel, but it is one coming-of-age to womanhood in particular that has the most complex and diverse journey that begins with a militant commitment and culminates in one of love.

There is a lot to unpack in The Drop and the Glop by Sanjiv Saran, partly because of its length and partly because there are so many point-of-view shifts. The action unfolds at a steady pace. I did not expect a fast-paced page-turner and would have been disappointed if the author cheapened the work in that way. Instead, the petals are coaxed open. The women are particularly well depicted in Saran's writing and two of the most compelling, Jenny and Tara, are also the most authentic. Tara can be poetic with lines such as, “Sometimes, I think my Ammi didn’t die. She chose to merge into the river that would carry her to the great Ocean of God.” Saran doesn't shy away from the horror of war but he also does not forget the levity of life. As readers, we can chuckle at some of the acerbic thinking of the characters and delight in it. Overall, this is a good book for those interested in historical fiction with some great moments.

The Drop and the Glop is the debut novel of author Sanjiv Saran. A narrative on human experiences and how these have the power to change our lives forever, author Sanjiv Saran writes an interesting story that will have you hooked. With the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the Bangladesh independence war of 1971 in the background, the author brings forth a host of characters who each have a story to tell. In the center of the story are Yara (an innocent young girl from a tribe), Vikram (a high school graduate from New Dehli), and a fictionalized version of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Foreign Minister of Pakistan). The three of them tell their stories and how the decisions they make change their lives in unexpected ways.

I love how the author divides the story into segments based on years. Each segment reveals a little something extra about the characters and the author’s agenda. It isn’t about war or espionage; it is a simple reflection on human experiences, characteristics, and the decisions we make. Take Vikram’s character for example. A high school graduate who decides to hitchhike and, somehow, he ends up right he needs to be. I didn’t understand the significance of the cover of the novel, but as I finished the novel, I understood why it was vague yet so foreshadowing. In essentially a fictional historical novel, author Sanjiv Saran lets his characters do the talking while readers sit back and enjoy the ride. The pace is fast, the themes are powerful, and the overall story is entertaining. What more can you ask for?

The Drop and the Glop is a work of fiction in the historical drama subgenre. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and was penned by Sanjiv Saran. Set during a period of great change and conflict in India’s history, the book follows a disparate group of characters each on their own journey, set against the backdrop of historical conflict in the 1960s and 70s. As each of the characters faces their destiny for better or worse, the book charts their growth and change in the face of the challenges that the world around them presents at every turn.

I adore historical fiction that takes me to a time and place I’m not familiar with and deepens my understanding of a cultural history beyond my own experience. Sanjiv Saran has an eloquent writing style that brings this period of history to life and keeps it accessible to western audiences who may not be familiar with the history of India. The insight into the conflict given by the different perspectives of people who lived through it is fascinating. Each new character who adds their voice to the story serves to make it an even richer tapestry depicting a complex and nuanced time. The Drop and the Glop tells a gripping story set against a backdrop that dives deeply into a fascinating and important period of world history. It’s a tale that entertains as much as it educates and this is a book that I happily recommend to any reader looking for a drama that will broaden their horizons.