Book Review: The Light of Liberation by Indrajit Garai

“Society works by cohesion. We’re raised to fill its roles. Formatted work enforces the roles’ coherence by denying variance. We adapt. Adaptation unifies some. Others rebel and explode; or they renounce and implode. Our best sinks deep and returns to sleep.”

Indrajit Garai, The Light of Liberation

Review:

It’s always a treat getting to read new work from Indrajit Garai. The Light of Liberation is part memoir and part a work of philosophy. I’ve enjoyed his fiction very much, but I enjoyed this venture into nonfiction even more.

Although this is a short read sitting at just over 100 pages, it’s a rich reflection on inner life and our place in the world. The author shares some of his life experiences, interactions, and reflections that shaped his outlook on the world and how life should be approached. 

If you’ve read the author’s book The House of Promise, this is a good companion piece. The novel illustrates the cruelty of bullfighting, while sections of this book illustrate steps that can be taken to outlaw the spectacle. While it feels somewhat out of place amidst the main topics of the book (philosophies of life and being), it may have a stronger impact for those who have read The House of Promise. It ties into the memoir portions of the book, as this is an issue close to the author’s heart. 

I sincerely hope to see more nonfiction work by this author! 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Reflective and focused on inner life.

What I didn’t like:

• I would have loved for this to have been longer!

Afterthoughts:

A huge thanks to Estelle for offering to send me a free digital copy of this book! I chose to read it through KindleUnliminted and ended up ordering a physical copy as well.

Where to buy the book: