Customer Reviews

Trying to Grow

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This is gem of a book. It's about a Parsi (Persian) family living in India after partition in 1947. The main character, and narrator, is a boy with osteo imperfecta (brittle bone disease). It's semi-autobiographical, witty, wry, and anti-establishment - an insider's scoop into what it's like to be severely handicapped. And yet, I chuckled throughout as he joked about a life that was not normal or easy and in in its own way was very blessed. The characters sparkle!

Trying to grow is the story of a young man named Daryus Kotwal, who grew up in more ways than one, and did not allow his disabilitating disease to overcome him. Set in an endearing idiosyncratic Parsi family the story recreates his struggle with life. The vitality of the story comes from startlingly vivid characterizations. There is also this extraordinary fluency in the description of relationships and heartbreaks.

Autobiographical in nature, Trying to Grow brings a whole new and refreshing perspective to the world of human disability, eliminating any kind of "mush". There is a lot of honesty and energy in the way the story has been told. There is a vein of humor through out giving it a surprisingly upbeat tone. It is an exhilirating book which celebrates life more than anything else.

firdaus kanga is a very dear friend who lives in my neighbourhood. his book is a reflection of his jovial self.

he is the wittiest guy i've ever met, and also, by the way, the most intelligent! this book is a must read.