Book Review: ‘Night in Delhi’ by Ranbir Sidhu

Book Title: Night in Delhi
Author: Ranbir Sidhu
Publisher: Context
Number of Pages: 204
ISBN: 978-9360451370
Date Published: Dec. 16, 2024
Price: INR 280

Book Review

“Night in Delhi” by Ranbir Sidhu is a gripping exploration of Delhi’s dark underworld, seen through the eyes of a nameless, morally ambiguous protagonist. The narrator, a male prostitute, thief, and con-man, reveals the raw, violent truths of life in the city where everyone is constantly trying to exploit or survive. Through his eyes, the author paints a brutal picture of a society where power, survival, and the quest for personal gain shape every interaction. This gritty, fast-paced narrative draws readers into a world where life is harsh, and morality is fluid.

The characters in the novel are equally complex and morally gray. From the narrator’s lover, who doubles as his pimp, to an American woman caught in the clutches of a corrupt Indian guru, the people around him are all embroiled in their dark struggles. The novel also introduces a rich man running a fraudulent call centre and a foreigner seeking to capture the essence of India for profit. These characters, while often violent and exploitative, are not entirely devoid of humanity, making the narrative even more compelling.

Author Ranbir Sidhu excels in crafting a story that centers on a working-class queer man, a rare and significant theme in Indian fiction. The narrator’s desire to escape the harsh reality of his life by saving enough money to live by the sea with his lover, Jaggi, is a relatable yet tragic aspiration. The relationship between the two is complex—Jaggi, a talented singer, is both a source of love and a reminder of the narrator’s inability to escape his circumstances. Sidhu’s portrayal of their relationship, filled with both tenderness and violence, highlights the fragility of happiness in a world dominated by greed and exploitation.

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While the novella’s brevity leaves some plot threads unresolved, this open-endedness adds to its emotional impact. Sidhu does not provide easy answers or happy resolutions, allowing readers to imagine the fates of the characters and the larger societal forces at play. In “Night in Delhi“, hope is not found in a resolution, but in the quiet, fleeting moments of connection and tenderness that the narrator experiences. This is a raw, emotional narrative that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

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