Book Review – ‘T21 in Downs Lane’

Book Cover – ‘T21 in Downs Lane’

Publisher: The Write Place

Publication date: 1 Jan 2018
Book length: 282
ISBN-10: 938728235X
ISBN-13: 978-9387282353

Blurb

Aashima, a young journalist, befriends Jay, a ‘differently different’ son of Ayesha and Siddhartha, who has Down Syndrome. Sid’s diary, which unfolds a completely different world, pulls her deeper into Jay’s emotional turmoil.
T21 in Downs Lane is an intensive narrative about the parents’ struggle to give birth and raise a child with Trisomy 21. A heart rendering account, it is also a revelation of peoples’ perception about Downs Syndrome. Whether it is their disdain, sympathy or curiosity, the author has captured these emotions in a realistic semblance. The insightful and factual information on Down Syndrome adds value to the read.

T21 in Downs Lane is also a story of Aashima’s endeavour to seek unconditional psychological acceptance from the ‘typicals’. What will she do to bring the story to a logical end?

Plot

Jay Siddhartha Roy has everything, a successful YouTube channel, a BBA degree and thousands of followers in his social media handles, except that he is diagnosed with Trisomy 21, the one with an extra chromosome. A chance encounter with Aashima, a journalist led to his emotional outburst. Stunned by his sudden behaviour, her interview questionnaire which she diligently prepared feels inadequate. Jay composes himself and reads her a diary written by his father, Siddhartha chronicling Jay’s life from his birth till the formers death.

Thoughts

There is always a taboo associated with any illness. The people here are either categorised are ‘differentially different’ or are looked down upon the society. Either way, they are objectified. Squirming under the sympathetic glances, they long to be treated as a normal human being. What we are forgetting is that they are as normal as us and are capable of perceiving emotions.

Even though India has made considerable progress since independence, there is no proper statistical data, diagnosis and health experts to treat Trisomy 21.

Literature is one of the most effective way of creating awareness. I wish there are more books in the market centred on the life of people suffering from genetic disorders.

Review and Rating

This book was sort of an eye opener for me.It is narrated in third person perspective and sometimes narrated in point of view of Jay’s father Siddhartha. The story is backed by well researched facts and figures. The exaltation of the parents on the birth of their child, their ordeal to secure its future, the struggles of Jay are beautifully described in words. At some point of time, you will be choked, feeling as though you have traded places with his parents. The title being catchy and interesting, has a deeper meaning. The author has meticulously compiled factual information about Downs Syndrome which helps the reader to have a broader view of things.

I found Jay’s ‘Never say die’ spirit infectious and it has found a place within me. It was heartening to witness Ashima’s transformation from a stone cold journalist to a compassionate person.

There were considerable mistakes in sentence formation among other things. The book could have been relentlessly edited. The switching of the perspectives could have been handled in a better way.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Click on the link below to buy the book.

T21 In Downs Lane