Book Review: The Living Mountain: a Fable for Our Times by Amitav Ghosh

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Two friends, our unnamed narrator and his friend Maansi, while deciding on a theme for their book club for the year ahead stumble across the word ANTHROPOCENE- a term that is making waves and Maansi, in particular, is quite keen on. However, as the narrative progresses Maansi shares a vivid dream she has had that has left her more than a little unsettled. Her dream tells the story of Mahaparbat, the Great Mountain which shelters several warring villages that are settled in the Valley high in the Himalayas. Though life is not easy, the indigenous population lives under the protection of the Mountain enjoying the bounty of the natural resources that draw life and are nourished by the Mountain. The mountain is revered by the villagers, who sing and celebrate in its praise following the customs passed down by their ancestors. The binding rule was that those from the valley were not to set foot on the slopes of the Mahaparbat. Of all the natural resources available to the inhabitants of the Valley, The Magic Tree, whose wood, leaves, fruit and nuts each yield multiple uses, is particularly special. The nut attracts special attention and is in high demand for its multiple benefits. Trading Week, the annual trade and commerce between the Elderpeople of the Valley and those from the Lowlands, take place at the pass of the Mountain beyond which outsiders are not permitted. After a representative from a group of people who call themselves Anthropoi expresses curiosity and requests access to Great Mountain and is denied the same in keeping with the Law of the Valley, interests swiftly evolve into action on the part of the Anthropoi, who invade the Valley and take control over the inhabitants, their resources and the Great Mountain.

“Their savants had studied all that was told to their envoy, and they were convinced that unbeknownst to us, great riches-minerals, metals and the like- were hidden within the mountain. We were unaware of this because we were a credulous and benighted people, who believed our Mountain was alive. The savants of the Anthropoi were unmatched in their wisdom and they decided that since we were not making any use of the mountain’s riches, they were fully justified in seizing them and taking whatever they wished.”

What follows is a series of events that begins with the subjugation of the indigenous population by the Anthropoi and exploitation of natural resources, and ultimately lead to revolt, infighting, and destruction brought on by the utter disregard for the consequences of the actions of man against nature.

“How dare you speak of the Mountain as though you were its masters, and it were your plaything, your child? Have you understood nothing of what it has been trying to teach you? Nothing at all?”

Amitav Ghosh’s “The Living Mountain: a Fable for Our Times” is an exquisitely written story that packs a punch in its 35 pages. Deceptively simple with folk-tale-like elements and descriptions, this allegory can be interpreted as a cautionary tale as well as a simplistic yet vivid depiction of colonialism, climate change, exploitation of man and nature, and the far-reaching effects of commercialism and abuse of natural resources fueled by the greed and avarice of men. This is a tale for everyone with so much depth in what is such a timely and relevant little story. I wish it were longer than 35 pages. The simple black and white illustrations by Devangana Dash that accompany the prose are quite lovely. This is a book meant to be read , reread, shared and talked about.

I was fortunate to get my hands on the audiobook which I listened to after reading the story a couple of times and I must commend the narrators, Pallavi Bharti and Ranjit Madgavkar for their mesmerizing rendition of this story.