Published by Campfire Review by Lesley Finlay
How will history look back on the 20th Century? A good place to start might be to record it as a time of momentous social change, to follow the momentous industrial revolution of the 19th century. As the world mourned Nelson Mandela’s death and picked apart the details of his extraordinary life and character, this book about another man from humble beginnings landed on my desk.
Mandela’s ‘long walk to freedom’ can be plotted on a direct path from the trail blazed by Mohandas Gandhi, who played such a critical role in the partition of India, the consequences of which still resonate today.
This graphic novel beautifully drawn by Sachin Nagar tells the incredible story of that life that began in Porbandar in Gujarat and ended in one violent act at Birla House, New Delhi. It’s a good vehicle to tell such a sweeping story. Gandhi was always principled – starting with his determination not to eat meat, though tempted by a childhood friend, through to his innate duty to stop injustice through his career as a lawyer.
Writer Jason Quinn has a job on his hands to tell this story and some of the telling of it jars somewhat; episodes end perfunctorily; for example the Boer War section ends in a field hospital and overleaf we move to the Black Act. Chapters might have helped deal with this.
Gandhi stretched the patience of his wife Kasturba, who struggled to accept her husband’s campaign for human rights – her gradual acceptance and support is surely worth exploring further.
There is almost too much to deal with here – in the same way as Mandela’s life. It is however a solid introduction to one of the most striking figures of the 20th century.