3 Review(s)

London Company by Farrukh Dhondy reflects the theme of disenchantment and rebellion through the central character, the author himself and his girlfriend Natasha, when they land in London only to face rejection and non-acceptance everywhere. Summary Of The Book The book is set at the backdrop of the 1960’s when Britain was in a total state of unrest. It was a time when immigrants were pouring in, the idea of the sexual revolution were beginning to take shape, racial discrimination soared high and civil right movements were gaining ground. When the writer and his girlfriend Natasha move to London with the hope to make a living, they found they were not welcomed anywhere due to their racial origin. They were ousted by landlords and bar owners who commanded them to go back to the land of the Indians. The story moves forward when the couple, inspired by the famous American Black Panther Party joins hands with the British Black Panther Movement (BPM). They protested, rebelled, and demanded equal rights for all, especially the non-immigrants in Britain. Farrukh comes across a number of people and in the course of the book introduces them to the readers. The life of every character in the book has been profoundly emphasized. Within the theme of disillusionment and rebellion is also embedded the theme of love and betrayal. When Farrukh returns from Trinidad, he finds his girlfriend Natasha involved with another member of the British Black Panther Movement. London Company has impressively captured the underlying themes of a turbulent Britain through the characters of the book. Farrukh’s life from an immigrant to a race activist has been vividly portrayed. The life of an immigrant and the consequences of joining a political movement have been realistically depicted in the book. The readers are made to feel with the characters and their stories. About Farrukh Dhondy Farrukh Dhondy is a prolific writer, activist, playwright, columnist and screenwriter based in London. He has such amazing work to his credit as East End At your Feet, Come to Mecca, and Other Stories, The Siege of Babylon, Trip Trap, Poona Company (short stories), Black Swan, Janacky and the Giant, and Other Stories, The Bikini Murders, and Rumi: A New Translation. He wrote a number of plays too some of which include Mama Dragon, Kipling Sahib, King of the Ghetto, Split Wide Open, and Trojans. Dhondy writes in a comprehensible manner. You will glide through his book turning pages after pages without any hitches. Farrukh Dhondy was born in Poona, India in the year 1944. He is the screenplay writers for such films as Bandit Queen, The Alexandria Quartet, Split Wide Open, and Mangal Pandey.