The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter is the debut book by author Shilpa Raj who has been in the constant focus after the launch of the book on 28th of July 2017. Shilpa has been invited by different institutions to deliver a talk on her book and tell the audience about the issues she has raised in her memoir. So far, the book has been a success for Shilpa’s writing career debut and she must be feeling inspired to come up with more works like this which focus on the vicious side which we constantly ignore. Today, I will review The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter for my readers and also provide the link from where you can purchase the book. And be clear about it, Shilpa’s book is far more serious than a book is supposed to be by some debut author. The issues she has raised are grave and a civil society must look into those.
Shilpa has chosen the genre of memoir to let off her thoughts because she believes that her personal experience will further strengthen her arguments. (As she has told in a conversation.) The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter has been praised by many critics and general reader response has been positive. People are liking and praising the manner in which the author has put forth her views. Shilpa Raj’s book speaks of two worlds which are out there. Shilpa was picked up for education and a better life by Shanti Bhavan in her childhood and her parents and her younger sister was to live a life of emptiness, if I may put it that way.
The two different worlds – as Shilpa puts it, were the one at the native place and another at Shanti Bhavan. The life at Shanti Bhavan was a mainstream life which we generally know and life at her parents’ place was like the life which always remained wanting something. Shilpa writes about her father who is an elephant chaser and how he had to suffer at the hands of fate, society and government officials. She writes about the poverty which always encircled the locals of her place. No education; no better sanitation; no housing and ‘no’ for every basic amenity necessary for a good life.
Poverty and wealth disparity aside, Shilpa’s issues are far more serious. She writes about the gender bias which prevails in and out of our society. Shilpa wasn’t supposed to born; Shilpa wasn’t supposed to live! Somehow she passes that phase and she learns that her father wasn’t supportive, kind and affectionate towards her mother. Her grandfather was the same and so was the society. Women were the victims, all the time! Shilpa raises the issues of discrimination in the society based on caste and class. She raises the issue of suppression of free will. She raises the issues of apathy in the society towards the people who are ‘below’ their expectations…
Overall, the message that the book delivers is that strong will to survive and stronger determination to fight the odds are the things which people need to raise their voices and speak for many. Shilpa Raj, the author (and the first one from the untouchable community) has proved that a little support and opportunity can easily melt the gap between the higher class and the lower class. Her book, The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter is a perfect metaphor for all the girls from lower strata of the society who want to fight; who want to battle the differences and bias; who want to stand and look straight into the eyes of people… You can read a further detailed and critical review and also buy the book from the link below:
Shilpa Raj: The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter: Review & Purchase Link
Silent Book Reader 