The Amazing Story of
the Man Who Cycled from India to Europe for Love
Per J. Andersson
This
book follows the story of Jagat Ananda Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia, or
PK for short. PK was born in the Indian and grew up during the 1970's
in a family of “untouchables”. His place in the caste system
determined most things in his young life, how he was treated at
school, where he could work and even regulated how he could worship.
His treatment at the hands of teachers and other students had a
lasting effect on PK and as a result he left his home village and set
out for New Delhi to become an artist. Despite setbacks and hardships
PK managed to make a name for himself drawing portraits.
During
his early childhood a prophecy predicted that PK would marry a woman
from far away, perhaps from another country. While in the capital PK
meet Lotta, a Swedish girl traveling around India. And although they
fell in love she decided to return to Sweden. In order for PK to find
her there a year later he resorted to a bicycle, traveling across
continents to eventually reach his destiny.
This
book is filled with details of life in India during the 1970's, which
I found very interesting. I did, however, feel a little disappointed
that Lotta, seemed at times a ghost. The reader doesn't get to know
her more than superficially. Since we get to know PK inside and out,
it would have been nice if Lotta could have been more prominent in
the story, especially in the second half of the book. I also expected
a little more in depth coverage of PK's life in Sweden over the
years. Despite these weaknesses it was an interesting tale of the
determination and struggle of one man tying to find his place in
society and the love of his life.
Thanks
to LibaryThing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an
honest review.
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