BOOK REVIEW: Nothing is quite what it seems in ‘Paridhi’

Uma Subedi's latest novel, 'Paridhi,' plunges readers into a narrative that challenges the boundaries of reality, blending the mundane with the extraordinary. The story primarily follows Arya, a playwright weary of the complexities surrounding her craft, who declares 'Paridhi' will be her final play.

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‘Paridhi’ will be her last.

From its opening pages, the novel establishes a distinct sense of non-realism. Arya's morning ritual of watching the sunrise is accompanied by an internal voice urging her to "realise her life." This is quickly followed by a surreal encounter where Arya, while riding her scooter, is paced by a car occupied by three masked individuals with distressed expressions. The situation escalates when the car crashes, and its passengers, instead of bleeding red blood, appear to bleed the colors of the rainbow – a vision perceived by Arya.

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life is not always dark. If one patiently waits, light comes back again.

This theme of perception is central to 'Paridhi.' The narrative blurs the lines between what occurs in the external world and what transpires within Arya's mind. Her fragmented memories of orphaned childhood, including recollections of her parents disappearing or being mistaken for ghosts, further complicate the reader's understanding of events.

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Followed' is not exactly correct; it would imply the car was behind her, but the car is, in fact, right next to her, intruding into the other lane and keeping pace with her scooter. If she slows down, so does the car, and if she speeds up, the car does too.

Subedi's writing, despite its philosophical depth concerning consciousness and perception, remains accessible. The novel builds a palpable sense of suspense, hinting at an impending disaster from the outset. The narrative is set on 'Bhadra 19,' a date significant as the day Arya's friend, 'Asmita,' is scheduled to commit suicide, a fact Arya is rushing to address when the car crash occurs. The book promises a thrilling exploration of subjective reality and the nature of existence.

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Instead of the injured or perhaps even dead passengers bleeding dark red blood, they bleed the seven colours of the rainbow – at least as Arya sees it, and that is an important theme in the book: the theme of perception.