The Zigzag Way

"The past is never truly past—it’s a thread that twists its way into the present."

In The Zigzag Way, Anita Desai creates a haunting, atmospheric novel that unfolds across two continents and spans generations. The story follows the journey of an Indian man, Arun, who travels to Mexico on a quest for understanding and answers. Arun’s search leads him to a family secret, a buried treasure, and the complex legacies of colonial history that have shaped his own identity and that of his ancestors.

The novel is a narrative of connections—between countries, cultures, and generations. As Arun’s quest for the past becomes intertwined with his family’s legacy, the lines between history and memory blur. Desai seamlessly alternates between the personal and the historical, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling that explores the impact of the past on the present.

The lush descriptions of the Mexican landscape, combined with the evocative portrait of the family’s history, give the novel a unique, almost mythical quality. Desai’s lyrical prose reflects the emotional depth of the characters, who grapple with themes of belonging, displacement, and the inevitability of time.

This novel also offers a meditation on the unpredictability of life and the zigzag paths that we take in our search for meaning. The journey is as much about the exploration of self as it is about understanding the larger forces at play in shaping the world.

The Zigzag Way is a compelling read for those who appreciate fiction with layers of depth, historical context, and an exploration of identity and memory. It’s available for free on Bookdio as a free pdf download or through the free books download feature.