There is a trending ‘meme’ collection on Facebook with the tagline ‘Only 80s-90s kids will remember this!’ These memes recollect memories from first television, a bicycle to actual physical activities that the generation which grew up in the 1980s and 1990s will associate with. The Quiet Riot of Robin Shute P. is the text of these memes that provide detailed description of Robin aka Boy, his upbringing and the changing cultural setup of India in those decades.
Plot
This is the story of Boy, whose family consists of Achcha (his father), Amma (his mother), Suki (his elder sister), and his dogs, Kim and Kukkoo. This simple yet content middle class Indian family lives by the backwaters of Kerala. Prabhjot takes us through every aspect of Boy’s life that marks his journey from childhood to becoming a doctor.
Boy is an eccentric child who is excited about everything except studies. From learning to play the trumpet and flute to catapulting, Boy’s day has it all. He fosters dogs, cats, crabs, hens and even goldfish.
Yet, amid all these activities, he finds time to get into a tussle with his sister, against whom he seldom wins. His Achcha is a staunch communist, a man of principles. He is simple, humble and a very caring father. He was never lured by money and always chose to be home with his family over a few extra bucks. Amma, on the other hand, has her own whims and fancies. Although she is a dutiful wife and doting mother, her days are spent dreaming and fuming about others who live around her and Achcha’s inability to eke out such a living.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Robin aka Boy grows up to become a doctor, who is moderately successful, moves to London, and marries Priya after falling in love with her. Despite growing up into a man, some boyish irresponsibility fails to leave him. In short, The Quiet Riot… is a perfect example of the saying “Men don’t grow up. They just grow big!”
A new recipe
Kaur is a tad too descriptive in parts of the book. However, she has the readers turning the pages. Kaur’s debut may not have hit the bull’s eye, but her simple style of writing brings many smiles as she takes us down memory lane.
Title: The Quiet Riot of Robin Shute P.
Author: Prabhjot Kaur
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Price: Rs. 295
