Book Review: The Golden Gate

Title:         The Golden Gate

Author:     Vikram Seth

Publ.:        Faber&Faber

ISBN:       9780571200382

MRP:        Rs 295

Pages:       307

                                        

Today I wish to review my very latest read for you

It’s a novel in verse by the inimitable Vikram Seth

About young pals-John, Liz, Janet, Ed, Phil and Sue

Set in 1980’s, story unfolds in city of the golden gate

When a lonely John sets out to look for an apt partner

Pressed by Janet, his ex-a sculptor and band drummer

They come across a plethora of people and situations

Find old friends, heartbreaks, odd and taboo relations

Apart from jealous cats, wines, iguana, art, revolution,

Sleights, breakups, confessions, marches and confusion

Author’s lucid verses keep the reader glued to the tale

He finely etches all characters and lives in good detail

Our author was born in Kolkata, West Bengal in 1952

Though an economist, he entered literature, a field new

His first novel, this came out in 1986, by Faber&Faber

And since has won hearts of its readers the world over

Composed in 14-line sonnet form; inspired by Pushkin

After author read both translations of ‘Eugene Onegin’

So now, I have one more title to appreciate and collect

No brownie points for guessing, it is ‘The Golden Gate’