Micro review: ‘The Granddaughter Project’ by Shaheen Chishti – Times of India

Author Shaheen Chishti’s debut novel, ‘The Granddaughter Project’ is a story of witchcraft, empowerment and film bonding. Published by Nimble Books, this novel by the British-Indian author sheds light on the adversities women faced during national and global crises such as World War I. In addition to the oppression caused by the incidents, gender has become another breeding ground for exploitation and added to the atrocities on women, so they are doubly oppressed.

‘The Granddaughter Project’ is the story of three women – Kamala, Helga and Lynette – who find companionship, bond and togetherness in each other’s company as they go through equally terrifying experiences in life. After meeting by chance and fighting for equality, sympathy and kindness throughout their lives, the three women decide to write letters to their granddaughters—Tanya, Rebecca and Ronnie—whom they do not wish to go through the same fate. The book mainly throws light on the lives of three grandmothers whose life stories are narrated to the audience through their letters and followed by their granddaughters. Events such as the Holocaust, the Bengal Famine of 1943 and the Notting Hill riots form the backdrop of the life stories of grand mothers who were left apart from toxic, unreasonable men and lives without guidance.

The description and depiction of the most prominent crises in global history, amid which women manage to conquer their personal lives, is heart-wrenching. However, the guidance they seek and provide to their granddaughters is touching and compensates for the pain that harsh and brutal reality inflicts on readers. A tale of sacrifice, tragedy, friendship, and hope, the book is well worth reading for those who enjoy a cathartic retreat combined with an equal amount of awareness and optimism.