Review of The Greater Common Good by Arundhati Roy

A book written by an author about an issue close to her heart. A book from whose sale, every paisa goes to that cause. If you're expecting this to be an extended NBA brochure, you are in for a pleasant surprise.

In "The Greater Common Good", Arundhati Roy presents the Narmada situation in a very sober and non-propagandist manner. There are no tirades against anyone, just plain presentation of facts. And the book is backed up by a detailed bibliography that shows the sources for all the facts quoted. As one reads the book, one is struck by the almost lyrical beauty of the text as she describes what she has seen for herself. This is alternated with terse passages that quote facts and statistics. But these two have been woven together so expertly that one hardly notices.

At the end of a reading, the book leaves one with a true picture of what is really happening in the Narmada Valley and the role played by the NBA. At no place does Roy sound propagandist. At no place does she rant and rave. But her passion for the cause shines through.