A mystique that pulls inexorably is not easy to come by. Latitudes of Longing, the debut novel by journalist and educationist, Shubhangi Swarup, however, is imbued with just such a rare mystique. It is an astounding exploration of intense longings, enmeshed deep in the primal allure of nature, beginning in the depths of the treacherous Andaman Sea, following unpredictable geological and emotional fault lines through the lush Irrawaddy delta and the tourist trap of Thamel, and ending amidst the highest glaciers and passes of the blinding Karakorams.
The story line unravels through amazing swathes of time and space, embracing characters of the here, now and not-now, with all these elements conjoined in unfathomable ways. Girija Prasad is an Oxford-trained scientist immersed in sequestered, esoteric pursuits; Chanda Devi is his clairvoyant partner who is closely attuned to nature and doggedly continues her ‘co-journeys’ from previous lives with him; and there is Mary, who kills her lover and gives up her infant son, and is the dependable bolster of their mundane domesticity — they make for a compelling cast. They seamlessly come together to make way for the narrative to bring on stage Girija and Chanda’s daughter, Devi, and her son, Rana, who is also a scientist.
On the other hand, Plato, Mary’s idealist son finds himself on the wrong side of the repressive regime in Myanmar, tortured and incarcerated for standing by human rights. There is also Thapa, the resourceful and warm-hearted drug dealer who goes to great lengths to unite mother and son after decades; the lost soul, Bagmati, an angelic stripper through whom Thapa reaches his core; and Apo, an octogenarian who finds love in Ghazala. All the characters have been beautifully etched, with unusual, yet rivetingly nuanced personas.
What is remarkable is how the story is textured with less well-known facets of nature, their unknown expressions and how, together with the human characters, these carry on the barely understood dance of being and creation. Prehistoric upheavals appear to be still settling in and whirls of happenings just burst into mindless acts of delirious anger. Yet, none of this carries even a hint of dissonance or fragility.
There is a maze of embedded plots and messages through it all, effectively knocking down stereotypes, neat categorisations and ‘separated-ness’. This is significant in our gravely threatened ecosystem where we no longer recognise our umbilical bonds.
The sheer power of Swarup’s imagination, the elemental, unremitting emotional rush and the magical agility and lyricism of her words are mesmerizing and deserve the highest accolades. They light up the curiosity box and leave an enchanting haze to luxuriate in. The book is one that will not waft away, but one that will endure.
The serious and thorough research that underpins the work deserves special mention. Set in places the author has never been to, the detailing is truly fascinating and a perfect treat. The spread is more than just subcontinental and should inspire many more such exploratory deep delves, both literary and academic. The originality in the bold conceptualisation comes through bright and strong. More elegant poetry than prose, but magically wondrous nonetheless.
Latitudes of Longing: A novel By Shubhangi Swarup, HarperCollins, Rs 599
