William Wordsworth, nature’s biggest apostle is pertinently of the opinion that child is the father of man. The statement which has become a dictum now and is oft-quoted in day to day parlance contains multiple interpretations. However, the one common interpretation which cuts ice with a vast majority of literary critics and sane souls, is that children are endowed with certain latent capabilities and strengths that the so- called mature and grown-up people abysmally lack in. The latter tend to lose these divine abilities as they advance in years. One such phenomenally remarkable child author is Srikar Chitta who has indeed registered his towering presence in the catagory of Children authors with his commendable book “The Odious Orphanage of Pape City”. This is rather Srikar’s second masterpiece. His first book “Just another Horrible Year” had brought him umpteen laurels by warming the cockles of the hearts of several readers in 2021. While dwelling upon Srikar’s latest book, It would not be a fallacy to articulate that coming events cast their shadow before. The manner in which the author has consistently worked on the subtler details of the book speaks volumes about the fact that in Srikar, a great author is the making. For his fructification and maturation, the present work of fiction provides him the most (self-created) fertile ground, out of the womb of which many literary blooms and petals are likely to blossom.
When as literary critics we attempt to understand the different dynamics of the book and shed light on its entire structural warp and woof, we gladly state that the book falls in the category a constructed genre. One of the most praiseworthy aspects of this literary masterpiece is the depiction of a very convincing chief character. The protagonist of this narrative happens to be a young orphan boy named Chris who has been leading a miserable life carrying the burden of his mundane existence on his feeble shoulders. Grappling horns with his traumatic and trying circumstances, he has to pay through the nose for the sins he has never committed. Several mighty blows of malevolent destiny lacerate his tender torso. Keeping the predicament of this hapless child in view, one instantly becomes sombre and in a pensive state of mind is reminded of William Shakespeare who remarks in his most thought-provoking literary classic King Lear, “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport.” The protagonist here seems to be a fly.
As the boy lands in the corridors of the orphanage, the brutal punishments meted out by the atrocious warden wreak havoc with his youth-hood. Here, most of the readers must be on the edge of their reading chairs and will eagerly wait to know the fate of the child protagonist in the subsequent life but it does not behove a sensitive literary critic to spill all the beans in a review article. Therefore, it will be an act of sagacity to leave this part to the prospective readers to unfold at their own in their leisure time.
It is not a bloomer to say that most of the literary critics have an intense propensity and natural prediction for taking recourse to comparative studies. Capitulating to that natural impulse, one is rather impelled to remark that the author of this both has beautified and embellished the text with the best of the literary ornaments and jewels.
The book is a fabulous, heart-pounding adventure that lends the reading aficionados an indescribable sense of heightened joy and tremendous thrill. The plot of the book has also been marvellously crafted and unfolded with an unhindered fluidity. Enshrined in the choicest language and sublime diction, “The Odious Orphanage of Pape City” will give much fodder to contemplate over to all segment of readers. Indubitably a must read!
Prof Shiv Sethi is an Internationally acclaimed scholar and Literary Critic. He has reviewed more than 200 books for the best of Media Houses.
