Rating: *** 3 stars

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni,
The Conch Bearer.
Chicken House.

The hero of this fantasy/adventure yarn is a boy called Anand, who lives in an unnamed Indian city, in a present day tinged with magic. Misfortune has ruined his family and obliged Anand to work for a tea-seller who treates him harshly. But regardless of his dire circumstances, which include the illness of his beloved sister, Anand still nurtures his dreams, dreams of adventures, of curing his ill sister, of bringing his missing father home.

Suddenly, adventure does beckon, in the form of an old beggar man who appears by the stall, seeking Anand's help to protect a treasure. The treasure appears to Anand as a tiny, beautiful conch shell. The beggard wants Anand to accompany him to take it to the Healers who can keep its powers from being exploited by unscrupulous people like the thief who dogs their steps as they go on their way. Anand's wish for adventure is therefore fulfilled, but the selflessness of his actions also brings the fulfilment of his other dreams - a cure for his sister and the return of his father to the family. However, there is a greater reward in store for him, if he has the courage to accept it and to make the sacrifice which acceptance entails.

This is a finely drawn tale of good battling evil, emerging victorious and reaping the rewards of virtue. It doesn't have more than that to say for itself. It will appeal to every 8-12 year-old lover of the fantasy/adventure genre, if all that is being sought is a light fun read, an escape into fantasy.

Shereen Pandit