Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
NoveList Summary: In India, in 1941, when her father becomes brain-damaged in a non-violent protest march, fifteen-year-old Vidya and her family are forced to move in with her father's extended family and become accustomed to a totally different way of life.
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Padma Venkatraman, a professor at URI, has published her first novel in the U.S. with Climbing the Stairs. Set in India during the 1940’s, the story details Ghandi’s nonviolent struggle for freedom set against the backdrop of a world at war. Fifteen-year old Vidya’s life in a liberal, privileged home ceases to exist when her father suffers brain damage through a beating during his participation in a protest march. The family must adapt in order to survive; they go to live a very different existence in a relative’s home. Through it all Vidya’s love of reading and learning helps her to survive. I found this a very interesting look at a time in history when the world’s eyes were focused on Europe and the Pacific – and yet this monumental peaceful revolution was taking place at the same time in India. A Cinderella story, this might be a little too simply told for the RARI readers.
This is a great story now well written. There are too many adverbs, including verbs turned into adverbs. In most cases the first paragraph of chapters could be left off which would give a more active story.
Advantages: Venkatraman is local and would it would be easy to have her as a guest speaker. The story lends itself well to a comparison of where we are on the international stage.
I thought this was a very good book. It gives a view into a different culture and also has parallels with historical events in the US. The book is very accessible for many ages and reading levels. The author is local. I feel the book would be a good choice.
Patti Folsom sent in this comment: Climbing the Stairs is an above average YA novel, but definitely not up to RARI standards.
This is not a simple novel. It appears that way, but as several reviewers (and many readers I have spoken to) have noted, this novel is rich, deep and complex. It is hard to write in a style that seems simple but is actually multilayered, and the author has done this fabulously. If chosen, it will hold the attention of discerning readers of all ages and provide meat for discussion, not on India alone but also on issues relevant in our current political context with the war in Iraq. It is beautifully written. - GRAY
Climbing the Stairs is rich with themes Read Across Rhode Island readers will want to and need to discuss...levels of nonviolence/violence in the world, in our country, in our culture, in our homes, and within ourselves. A 'coming of age' story that lends itself to reading from multiple perspectives, Climbing the Stairs is the best pick for a wide range of classroom teachers and readers. This novel will provide a wonderful vehicle teaching literacy across the content areas and improving adolescent literacy.
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