Book Review - The Alien by Dr Gita Sheth

This is a book that gave me another proof of the saying that things happen for a reason, and they happen at the right time – especially good things happen when the time is right. I picked this lovely gem from my elder sister’s residence, as I kind of liked the overall approach and the concept. It remained in my to-read pile, which normally has some 15-20 books. I did read it once-, and kept it aside, wanting to re-read it later. That later came this week – any earlier, and I wouldn’t have grasped the full depth of this one of a kind masterpiece by Dr. Gita Sheth, translated from Gujarati by Dhruv Bhatt

THE BOOK

This is a book about a mystery called life - told in a very different way; through Dogs - in a world where Dogs can speak! Twins - born in the same affluent family; Kaulak elder one conforms to set norms & societal expectations and is duly accepted in society, while the other one - Sarmeya, is a seeker, an individual who doesn’t try to blend in, but rather retains his individuality; always questions. He listens to the unknown voice, and embarks on an Odyssey that takes him everywhere and beyond... during his voyage he equates freedom & conformity; knowledge & education; nature & civilization; from these - we find our own answers without even asking a question...

THE ANALYSIS

This wasn’t present on Goodreads {I had to create the book detail on the site!} ; or any site that I could spot. Makes me wonder, as to how many other such gems are hidden away! If you are a bibliophile- do make it a point to constantly peek at, probe, hunt, rummage through any pile of books you find; visit every book store in every city town or village you pass through. I have spotted several gems this way – another such gem will be reviewed here in a few weeks, a vintage book.

What can I say about this book? This is a book, a story on two levels – at least. One is the obvious one –a story of the advantages of individuality, and the disadvantage in trying to “fit in”, as it were.  A story where going by society kills talent, and results in people following by rote, as opposed to true conceptual clarity – a fundamental problem in our education system, by the way; as well as several corporate houses in each of which skin-deep knowledge is valued over conceptual clarity.

But at another level, this book is a strong, powerful, deep story that will impress you on a very deep spiritual level; one of the finest I have had the priviledge of reading, with so many deep and completely relevant lessons that I cannot possibly recount them all here. This book is a spiritual journey, a journey of life, of the soul – and of understanding yourself. It is a book that teaches you the reality of life or re-inforces your existing beliefs while carrying you further on the journey.

I am myself a seeker, a person who is in the hunt for answers – my hunt has taken me ever deeper into our scriptures with each passing month of my life – a hunt documented on my blog, though in Marathi. This is why I stated in the opening, that had I read it any earlier, perhaps the full import might have escaped me.  Can it be understood by all? I don’t know. I can only speak for myself, and the impact it had on me, and the learnings it imparted to me.

At this deeper level, this is a tour-de-force that shakes you, and impresses on you the power of the soul, of the right path, and of the reality of life – giving strong & lasting lessons. In the staid, accepted brother – you can spot any number of people in society; you can spot ambition, desire, ego, yes – even the desire to be good / do good, the desire {coupled with ego} of being a good person who benefits people, you can spot shallowness, or incompleteness, rote knowledge; and much much more.  These are people like you and me, who go by rote and not ask questions at all…

And then you have the other brother – seeking, questioning, not accepting authority or force, and yet not being aggressive about it; a seemingly careless aimless individual. It is through him that you spot, learn, and hopefully imbibe some of the finest learnings possible. In this individual you can spot caring, true responsibility, freedom for both self, loved ones & others, complete detachment, true honour, truth, sacrifice, suffering and pain tolerance, and much more – you see true regality in this individual, and begin to get a glimpse of what true enlightenment is all about…

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this is by some distance, one of the finest books I have read; I am lucky, very lucky indeed – to have spotted it, and taken it from my elder sisters’ residence. One of my better days; perhaps among my best days for all I know. Mundance things like ratings are not meant for this book; it is beyond such this-worldly things. But as I, the reviewer, am still a seeker, still bound by the modes of nature – I will rate it – 5 stars on 5. This is a must read for everyone… more so for those on the path, those who question and seek…