'Climbing the Stairs' by Padma Venkarraman is the story of Vidya, a young Indian girl who is a teenager during WWII. When a tragic accident befalls on her father, Vidya's family has no choice but to live with her father's extended family. All of a sudden Vidya's dreams of finishing school and going on to college are hanging in the balance. Her aunts torment her and don't give her enough food, she hardly ever gets to see her brother anymore because the home is split between the males and the females, and she is ripped from the life that she has always known. She desperately fears that her extended family will marry her off the first chance they get and she is losing the ability to control her own life. The only peace she finds is when she sneaks up the stairs to the second floor in the men's quarters every day. She has found the library there and she can escape her life into different worlds through the written word. She fears being caught, but the risk is worth it to her.
This book is beautifully written. I was completely intrigued with the story and I learned a lot about the history of India during the time of this terrible war. I must admit that I do not know a lot of India's history but I found it completely fascinating. It is a complex culture that is very intriguing to me. I also love historical fiction books about WWII and would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves history and Indian culture.
This book contains history, culture, family, portrays the importance of books and gaining knowledge, and even has a little romance thrown into the mix.
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