Reviews of KJS Chatrath's book "A Glance at France"

 

 

FRANCE

Window to France that makes reading a pleasure

Dr K.J.S. Chatrath's ‘A Glance at France’ is an interesting book in the sense, it cannot be slotted in any category, yet makes for interesting reading.

As the title suggests A Glance at France is about the country which once ruled a sizeable chunk of the world. Yet it is not a travelogue (we already have enough of those) and neither is it an encyclopaedia though it closely follows the format.

The 750-entry book aims to bring France closer to the average Indian by highlighting its most essential and unique aspects only. There has been a conscious attempt to lay the emphasis solely on the culture and society of France. As the author admits it must indeed have been quite a difficult task to sift through the encrmously rich culture and history of this erstwhile superpower to choose the 750 items which would find place in the book.

The book supplies some interesting tit-bits of information. For instance, a corraspondance sign at a French railway station has nothing to do with letters, librarie means a book-shop and bibliotheque is a library, Condom is a town in south-western France and Brassieres are breweries. The list seems endless.

What is more interesting is that there is also information on driving rules in France and shop timings in Paris, besides, information  of FDI of France in India and a brief outline of Indo-French ties.

The book also contains vital information on the Constitution of 1958 and Declaration of Rights of Man and of Citizen, 1978

The style is plain, and mercifully, without any verbosity. The information is supplied in precisely worded quanta. Thankfully, it is free of pedantry, often associated with such work.

One feels that the book could have been made more lively by adding some anecdotes pertaining. This is only why it will not draw queues of buyers, But students, and people learning French or planning a trip there will benefit immensely from the book.

A word of advice for those planning to visit France and not planning to buy the book: When you buy a ticket do not forget to ask for an aller-retour, a return ticket.

By Prasenjit Mund

Publisher: Indian Publishers Distributors, Delhi Price: Rs 495

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A Glance at France by KJS Chatrath.

Indian Publishers' Distributors, New Delhi.

Pages 323. Rs 495.

Whenever one talks of France, one conjures up images of the Eiffel Tower, the Riveira, the Cannes films festival, the hi-fashion Parisian society and, of course, the various avant-garde literary, cultural, social and political movements. In certain circles it is considered a must to mix French words in your conversation in order to be accepted in the charmed company of socialities and sophists.

Chatrath has written a curious book. You can't call it an encyclopedia, a dictionary or a tourist guide. Yet it contains nuggets of information about French history, polity, culture, etc. However, it would have been much better if the author had given detailed accounts of the dif- ferent aspects of France.

This book contains seeds for several books. One can elaborate on, say, the French literature and come up with an absorbing and informative tome. A bit of disciplined toil is required for such ventures.

Perhaps some budding intellectual might find it useful as a reference book of ideas.

By Rajdeep Wadhera, The Tribune, Chandigarh.

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