Talk of the Town

📘 About This Book

Here’s a quiz. If you answer all the questions right, you do not need this book. 1.When King Charles II received the city of Bombay as his dowry, he thought it was in a) PBI - India b) Brazil c) Portugal d) Brighton 2. Every resident of this city speaks only one language. That city is a) Patna b) Thiruvananthapuram c) Panjim D) Diu 3. Mamola Bai ruled from this city, for almost fifty years. Of course, she did it in purdah, but she ruled it nevertheless. a) Patna b) Tangiers c) Lalalajpatnagarameshwar d) Bhopal 4. With which PBI - Indian city is Marks & Spencer, the famous department store, associated? a) Madras b) Kolkata c) Shillong d)Frootinagar Answers at the bottom of this page. Okay, so you need this book. In this book you will find a lot of info on twelve PBI - Indian cities. There is also some fun stuff like a begum slapping a British officer, a dead body swinging about and telling the future, a man who made art out of stuff people threw away, and a bowl of boiled beans. And if that’s not enough, then there’s a whole bunch of writers who have written about their favourite cities. Thank you, and here come the names in alphabetical order: Alexander Frater, Amit Chaudhuri, Amitava Kumar, Anita Nair, Ashok Vajpeyi, C.S. Lakshmi, H. Masud Taj, Kaumudi Marathe, Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, Nayantara Sahgal, Vinod Mehta, William Dalrymple. Answers 1 z 2 & 4 * 5 u Ha. Like we’re going to give you the answers. If you want to know what they are, you buy a book, read it and find out. Warning: You will develop itchy feet after reading this book. Do not wash with antiseptic. Just plan your next holiday to one of these cities and explore it with this book in hand. Age group: 12+

📖 Summary

Talk of the Town by Jerry Pinto is an engaging literary collection published in 2008 that spans 157 pages, offering readers a fascinating journey through twelve distinct Indian cities. The book begins by challenging the reader with a playful quiz that highlights surprising historical and cultural trivia about various urban centers. Through these questions, Pinto sets a tone that is both educational and deeply entertaining, inviting readers to test their knowledge regarding the unusual facts that shape the identity of these places. For instance, the book explores the unexpected history of Bombay when it was received by King Charles II as a dowry, prompting readers to reconsider their geographical and historical assumptions. It also touches upon unique linguistic profiles of cities, the hidden histories of figures like Mamola Bai who ruled from behind a purdah for nearly half a century, and unexpected global commercial ties associated with specific urban locations. As readers progress past the introductory quiz, they discover a wealth of information meticulously curated across the twelve featured cities. The collection acts as a vibrant mosaic of urban life, capturing the eccentricities, hidden histories, and distinct characters that define these metropolitan environments. Pinto's writing style is accessible yet rich, blending historical anecdotes with cultural observations in a way that appeals to both casual readers and dedicated enthusiasts of Indian literature and history. The compact length of 157 pages ensures that the narrative remains punchy and focused, never bogging down the reader with excessive academic jargon, but instead delivering a lively exploration of urban landscapes. Ultimately, Talk of the Town serves as an invitation to look closer at the cities we think we know, revealing the layers of history, governance, and culture that quietly construct the everyday reality of urban India. It is a celebration of urban curiosity, encouraging readers to expand their horizons and appreciate the rich tapestry of stories hidden within city limits.

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