A Passage To Ottawa by Gaurav Desai - PDF Book Review and Summary
A Passage To Ottawa book pdf free download
If you are looking for a book that explores the themes of family, culture, identity, love and loss, you may want to read A Passage To Ottawa by Gaurav Desai. This is a novel that tells the story of Omi, a seven-year-old boy from India who is sent to live with his uncle and aunt in Canada after his mother falls ill. Omi believes that he is on a mission to find a hero who can save his mother's life. Along the way, he meets Roland, a tour boat operator who becomes romantically involved with Omi's cousin Safia. In this article, we will give you a summary of the plot, the reception and the benefits of reading this book. We will also show you how to download A Passage To Ottawa for free in pdf format.
A Passage To Ottawa book pdf free download
The plot of A Passage To Ottawa
The main characters
The novel has six main characters:
Omi: He is the protagonist of the story. He is a naive and optimistic boy who loves his mother dearly. He is curious about Canada and its culture. He thinks that Roland is a hero who can help his mother.
Safia: She is Omi's cousin who lives in Ottawa with her parents. She is a rebellious and independent teenager who wants to pursue her own dreams. She falls in love with Roland despite her father's disapproval.
Roland: He is a black Canadian who works as a tour boat operator on the Rideau Canal. He is a kind and gentle man who cares for Omi and Safia. He faces racism and prejudice from some people.
Jalal: He is Omi's uncle and Safia's father. He is a conservative and strict Muslim who immigrates from India. He has a strained relationship with his wife Maggie and his daughter Safia. He does not approve of Roland.
Maggie: She is Omi's aunt and Safia's mother. She is a white Canadian who converts to Islam after marrying Jalal. She is a loving and supportive woman who tries to bridge the gap between her husband and her daughter.
Talat: She is Omi's mother who stays in India. She is a Hindu who marries a Muslim. She suffers from tuberculosis and meningitis. She sends Omi to Canada without telling him the truth about her condition.
The main conflict
The main conflict of the story is Omi's quest to find a hero for his dying mother. Omi does not know that his mother is terminally ill and that she has sent him to Canada to find a new home. He thinks that he can bring Roland back to India to cure his mother. He also does not understand the cultural and religious differences between his family and Roland. He innocently causes trouble for Safia and Roland by revealing their relationship to Jalal. He also puts himself in danger by trying to run away from Ottawa with Roland.
The main themes
The novel explores several themes, such as:
Family: The novel shows the importance of family bonds and the challenges of maintaining them across distances and cultures. It also shows the conflicts and misunderstandings that can arise between parents and children, especially when they have different values and expectations.
Culture: The novel depicts the diversity and complexity of Canadian culture, as well as the contrast and similarity with Indian culture. It also shows the effects of immigration, assimilation and integration on the characters' identities and relationships.
Identity: The novel examines the characters' sense of self and belonging, as well as their struggles to define and assert their identities in a multicultural society. It also shows how identity can be influenced by factors such as race, religion, gender, age and class.
Love: The novel portrays the different forms and expressions of love, such as romantic love, familial love, friendship and compassion. It also shows the obstacles and sacrifices that love can entail, such as prejudice, betrayal, separation and death.
Loss: The novel deals with the theme of loss, both literal and metaphorical. It shows how the characters cope with losing their loved ones, their homes, their dreams and their innocence. It also shows how loss can lead to growth, resilience and hope.
The reception of A Passage To Ottawa
The critical reviews
The novel received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised it for its realistic and touching portrayal of the characters' emotions and experiences, as well as its exploration of relevant social issues. Others criticized it for its lack of originality and depth, as well as its use of stereotypes and clichés.
Here are some examples of critical reviews:
"A Passage To Ottawa is a heartfelt and engaging story that captures the essence of multicultural Canada. Desai writes with sensitivity and insight about the challenges and joys of immigration, family, love and identity. His characters are complex and believable, and his plot is well-paced and suspenseful. This is a novel that will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds." - The Globe And Mail
"A Passage To Ottawa is a disappointing and derivative novel that fails to deliver on its promise. Desai writes with simplicity and sentimentality about the clichés and stereotypes of immigration, family, love and identity. His characters are flat and predictable, and his plot is contrived and unrealistic. This is a novel that will bore readers of all ages and backgrounds." - The National Post
The audience reviews
The novel received mostly positive reviews from readers. Many enjoyed it for its emotional and entertaining story, as well as its relatable and likable characters. Some disliked it for its unrealistic and melodramatic plot, as well as its superficial and stereotypical characters.
Here are some examples of audience reviews:
"I loved this book! It was so touching and funny at the same time. I felt like I was part of Omi's journey to find a hero for his mother. I also liked Safia's character because she was strong and independent. I learned a lot about Canadian culture from this book." - Goodreads user
"I hated this book! It was so boring and cheesy at the same time. I felt like I was reading a soap opera with Omi's quest to find a hero for his mother. I also disliked Safia's character because she was annoying and selfish. I didn't learn anything new from this book." - Amazon user
The awards and nominations
The novel received some awards and nominations for its literary merit. Here are some of them:
It won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book (Canada & Caribbean) in 2002.
```html It was shortlisted for the Trillium Book Award in 2002.
It was nominated for the City of Ottawa Book Award in 2002.
The benefits of reading A Passage To Ottawa
The educational value
Reading A Passage To Ottawa can be beneficial for readers who want to learn more about different cultures, perspectives and experiences. The novel offers a glimpse into the lives of immigrants and minorities in Canada, as well as the history and geography of India and Canada. The novel also raises awareness about important social issues such as racism, sexism, religion, poverty and health.
The emotional value
Reading A Passage To Ottawa can also be beneficial for readers who want to connect with the characters and their emotions. The novel evokes a range of feelings such as joy, sadness, anger, fear and hope. The novel also encourages empathy and compassion for people who face challenges and hardships in their lives.
The entertainment value
Reading A Passage To Ottawa can also be beneficial for readers who want to enjoy a good story. The novel has a captivating and humorous plot that keeps the readers interested and curious. The novel also has a charming and witty style that makes the readers laugh and smile.
How to download A Passage To Ottawa for free
The legal and ethical issues
Before you decide to download A Passage To Ottawa for free in pdf format, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading books for free may be illegal or unethical in some cases, depending on the source and the copyright status of the book. You may be violating the author's rights and depriving them of their income. You may also be exposing yourself to viruses, malware or scams that can harm your device or your personal information.
The alternative options
Instead of downloading A Passage To Ottawa for free, you may want to consider some alternative options that are legal and ethical. Here are some of them:
Library: You can borrow the book from your local library or request it through interlibrary loan. This way, you can read the book for free without breaking any laws or harming any authors.
Online platform: You can access the book through an online platform that offers ebooks or audiobooks for a subscription fee or a one-time payment. Some examples are Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Kobo or Scribd. This way, you can read the book legally and conveniently without spending too much money.
Purchasing: You can buy the book from a bookstore or an online retailer that sells new or used copies. Some examples are Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo or AbeBooks. This way, you can support the author and the publishing industry while owning a physical or digital copy of the book.
The comparison table
To help you decide which option is best for you, here is a table that compares the pros and cons of each option:
Option Pros Cons --- --- --- Library Free; Legal; Ethical; Supports libraries May not have the book available; May have to wait for a long time; May have to return the book after a certain period Online platform Legal; Convenient; Affordable; Offers a variety of books May require a subscription fee or a one-time payment; May not have the book available; May have to deal with technical issues Purchasing Legal; Ethical; Supports authors and publishers; Owns a copy of the book May be expensive; May have to wait for delivery; May have to store or dispose of the book Conclusion
In conclusion, A Passage To Ottawa is a novel that tells the story of Omi, a seven-year-old boy from India who is sent to live with his uncle and aunt in Canada after his mother falls ill. The novel explores the themes of family, culture, identity, love and loss through the characters' emotions and experiences. The novel received mixed reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from readers. The novel also received some awards and nominations for its literary merit. Reading A Passage To Ottawa can be beneficial for readers who want to learn more about different cultures, perspectives and experiences, as well as connect with the characters and their emotions, and enjoy a good story. However, downloading A Passage To Ottawa for free may be illegal or unethical in some cases, and there are alternative options that are legal and ethical, such as borrowing from a library, accessing through an online platform or purchasing from a bookstore or an online retailer. We recommend that you read A Passage To Ottawa and discover the journey of Omi and his quest to find a hero for his mother.
FAQs
Who is the author of A Passage To Ottawa?
The author of A Passage To Ottawa is Gaurav Desai, a Canadian writer of Indian origin. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya and grew up in India and Canada. He has written two novels and several short stories.
When was A Passage To Ottawa published?
A Passage To Ottawa was published in 2001 by Penguin Books. It was Desai's debut novel.
What genre is A Passage To Ottawa?
A Passage To Ottawa is a novel that belongs to the genre of contemporary fiction. It is a realistic and humorous story that reflects the current issues and trends of society.
What is the setting of A Passage To Ottawa?
A Passage To Ottawa is set in Ottawa, Canada and India in the late 1990s. The novel depicts the contrast and similarity between the two countries and their cultures.
What is the message of A Passage To Ottawa?
A Passage To Ottawa is a novel that conveys the message of hope, resilience and love in the face of loss, adversity and difference. It shows how the characters overcome their challenges and find their happiness and identity.
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