The nonfiction biography, Untouchables, by Narendra Jadhav is an awe-inspiring story set around the 1900s in India. It is about the journey of an untouchable family breaking out of the oppressive caste system. Jadhav writes this true story based on his father’s diaries and many family stories, which talks about his parents’ struggle for equal rights and justice in the low times of India. For thousands of years, Dalits (untouchables) have been treated harshly and not only by the gore (British) but also by their fellow Indians who believe that Dalits should not even be treated as human beings. Jadhav’s family rebel against the caste system because they want to free themselves and their children from the life of an untouchable, which is filled with fear, abuse and cruel humiliation. This book, Untouchables, gives voice to those who are not able to speak out and tell their story. This book tells the story of India’s 165 million Dalits, who are still struggling for equality and justice today.
In my experience, while reading the book Untouchables, there were many tiny details that appealed to me. There were many unique and small moments throughout the book that brought on a rush of emotion. But, out of all these small moments and characters, one character stood out to me the most. Sonu, Jadhav’s mother, not only spoke to me but inspired me as well. It’s difficult for me to highlight a specific reason why she stood out to me. Maybe it is because she is not the normal “hero” character. She does not protest when she is married at the age of ten for a huge dowry. She follows her husband to unknown situations and places because it’s her duty to. She follows the social norm and does not stand up to it. While other readers may believe that she is a coward for not standing up, I see her as a brave girl, wife and mother. She is courageous because she does what many fail to do. She follows and walks behind her husband through the good and the bad. She does not leave him even when he cares more about equality than her. She stays by him when he talks and praises a white girl over her. She follows her duty to him by doing everything she can to please her man. These are the aspects in Sonu’s character that is very inspiring. She makes me wonder how many wives would stand by their husband during this situation. I would like to think, if I was ever faced with this situation, I would act like Sonu and follow my husband because I vowed to be by his side through everything. Therefore, I believe Sonu is a very feminine but strong woman who inspires me to be strong as well.
The narrative nonfiction, Untouchables, started with very strict and educational facts about India and its caste system. But just a couple more pages later, the book dived into the personal stories of Damu (father) and Sonu (mother). As I kept on reading the stories of Jadhav’s parents, I realized that it was very difficult for me to find a strong plot line. Many of these random stories from Damu and Sonu started to pile together and it was hard to see how it all related to breaking out of the caste system. To be honest, I was quite bored throughout the beginning of the story and I kept on putting my book down. But as I pushed through the chapters, I realized that many of these stories tied together around the end to form a strong plot. There were still some random stories scattered throughout the book that did not spark any emotion from me. But when I was around the last chapters, I saw how the characters developed and how this Indian family came about to live a free life. Overall, I liked this book. I also liked how much I learned about India and the caste system and Hindi vocabulary. It’s truly interesting to learn about their culture. I believe, teenagers would love this part of the book. However, if I had to recommend this book overall, then this would not be a great book for teenagers to read. To read the book Untouchables, there is a strong need for patience and understanding. Even I couldn't grasp many parts of this book. I would recommend this book to someone who is older and maybe wiser than teenagers. This book would be a great read to those who have patience and more understanding. Even though I enjoyed reading this book as a teenager, I feel like I would have loved this book when I am old enough to grasp all the concepts. All in all, Untouchables was a good book to read but it would have been better if I had waited to read this book when I was older.

เลือกเกิดไม่ได้ แต่เลือกที่จะเป็นได้ หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นบันทึกชีวิตของ ดามู ผู้เกิดมาเป็น มหาจัณฑาล หรือจัณฑาลของจัณฑาลอีกทีหนึ่ง ที่ชีวิตมีสิทธิ์แค่ขอทานประทังชีวิต แต่เขาไม่ยอมแพ้และมุ่งมั่นที่จะสร้างชีวิตใหม่ขึ้นมาท่ามกลางการต่อต้านของสังคม หนังสือดีมากแนะนำให้อ่านค่ะ

This was really good. It's so interesting to learn more about the plight and journey of the Untouchables. It was also fascinating to hear firsthand about what Dheekshabhoomi was like!

Untouchables is actually a revised version of a book published in 1993, which I have not read and can therefore make no comparison. However, the story of the Jahdavs’ journey out of the caste system in India is intriguing. The book itself is more of a collective memoir, with alternating pieces by Narendra Jahdav’s parents. This gives a very unique voice to their situations and shows several perspectives on the events that occur in their lives.

In the United States, we tend to think that the battle for civil rights is long over. In India, this is not the case at all. Seeing one family’s struggle with and triumph over their status as untouchables is powerful, and its translation into several of the languages spoken in India shows that it resonates with those for whom it is written.

The writing in this book is at times uneven (its a translation) in the beginning but it soon hits its stride going back and forth between chapters from husband Damu and wife Sonu. It was very enlightening about the life of Dalits in India historically.

A book that shook me to the core at the age of 16 and gave me the first and strongest reason to dislike my country- the evil caste system. The book made me realize how casually this system is being carried on in the modern India and the struggles it creates for the country's significant population to go through. There are scenes from the book I just cant forget.

To think that this account took place a mere hundred years ago. In retrospect, understanding the value of the courage these people demonstrated in taking a stand for themselves.

This book describes a family who seeks to overcome the unspeakable horrors of being an untouchable in India in the early 1900's and providing an education for their children, who have become scholars and successful professionals. I found the book fascinating and would highly recommend it. It seems sad that societies so often choose to discriminate between one group or another.

Really interesting account of a family's overcoming their caste by education.

Very good book.

What I learned from this book... all about the life in the lowest Indian caste. It's a compelling family story about rising from the life society dictates into a life of your own creation. Without education... this family never would have made it out.

One of the best Dalit biographies I have ever read. Loved the way it was presented.