Fero (novel)

Fero (Gujarati: ફેરો) (English: The Trip) is a Gujarati novel written by Radheshyam Sharma. It was published in 1968 by Rekha Prakashan in Ahmedabad.[1] It is acclaimed in Gujarati literature for its experimental nature[2] and is considered a literary milestone among modern Gujarati authors.[3] It was followed by Sharma's similarly exploratory novel, Swapnatirtha.[4][5]

Fero
book cover, 2007 ed.
AuthorRadheshyam Sharma
Original titleફેરો
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati
Genrenovel
Set inAhmedabad
Published1968
PublisherRekha Prakashan, Ahmedabad
Media typePrint
Pages94
891.473
Followed bySwapnatirtha (1979) 
TextFero online

Plot

A couple, who have a mute, only-child, take a long journey to the Sun temple with the hope that the gift of speech is granted to their child. The trip is an attempt to appease their God. The mother is hopeful at the start of the journey, but the child is lost as the train pulls out of the final station before the destination. In an attempt to stop the train, the father raises his hand to pull the chain but hesitates before doing so. The story is written from the father's perspective, and the reader is only privy to his observations and reactions.[6][7]

The novel is narrated in the first person, beginning with the family's departure and ending before the journey's completion.

Theme

The story reflects the predicament of a man of modern times.[8] The novel is centred on the theme of human consciousness. It delves into the complexity of thought and awareness as the family struggles to complete their journey.[9] There is repeated mention of ennui and boredom in the novel.[8]

Reception

Chandrakant Sheth, a Gujarati critic, considers the prose of the novel too aristocratic in nature.[10]

The name of this novel is referenced in the title of Suman Shah's critical work Chandrakant Bakshi Thi Fero (1973).[11]

References
  1. Books India. National Book Trust. 1972. p. 56.
  2. K. M. George (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. Sahitya Akademi. p. 141. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  3. Jhaveri, Dileep. "Celebrating Gujarati Prose". Muse India. ISSN 0975-1815. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  4. K. M. George (writer) (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 141. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. Nalini Natarajan; Emmanuel Sampath Nelson (1996). Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 122–. ISBN 978-0-313-28778-7.
  6. P. K. Rajan (1989). The Growth of the Novel in India, 1950-1980. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 75. ISBN 978-81-7017-259-8. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  7. Brahmabhatt, Prasad (2010). અર્વાચીન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનો ઈતિહાસ - આધુનિક અને અનુઆધુનિક યુગ (History of Modern Gujarati Literature – Modern and Postmodern Era) (in Gujarati). Ahmedabad: Parshwa Publication. pp. 184–185. ISBN 978-93-5108-247-7.
  8. George, K. M., ed. (1997). Masterpieces of Indian Literature. Vol. 3. New Delhi: National Book Trust. p. 1701. ISBN 978-81-237-1978-8.
  9. Gujarat. Smt. Hiralaxmi Navanitbhai Shah Dhanya Gurjari Kendra, Gujarat Vishvakosh Trust. 2007. p. 404.
  10. Talpada, Hasit. "Chapter 3: Radheshyam Sharmani Navalkathanu Gadya". Aadhunik Navalkathanu Gadhya Ek Abhyas Suresh Joshi Madhuray Ravji Patel Radheshyam Sharma ni Mukhya Navalo ne Aadhare (PDF) (Thesis). Sardar Patel University. hdl:10603/98020. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  11. Mohan Lal (1992). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 3946. ISBN 978-81-260-1221-3. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  • Fero at Ekatra Foundation
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