Rooh by Manav Kaul

My Rating - 4 out of 5 stars

Publisher - Penguin

Genre - Fiction
Publishing year - 2022
Language - English
ISBN - 978-06-700-980-33
Pages - 150

Book Review - 

Rooh is an evocative blend of travelogue, memoir, and fiction that draws heavily from Manav Kaul’s deep connection with Kashmir, the land of his childhood. 

Originally penned in Hindi and beautifully translated into English by Pooja Priyamvada, the book captures not just the landscape of Kashmir, but its soul—scarred, complex, and quietly resilient.

The narrative follows the author as he returns to Kashmir, this time as an adult, accompanied by a woman named Roohi. Through their journey, Kaul reflects on his childhood memories, the nostalgia of a homeland left behind, and the ever-present grief that defines the experience of displacement. 

He grapples with the question of whether his voice—shaped by distance and privilege—has the right to tell this story. This self-doubt, bordering on impostor syndrome, adds an intimate and vulnerable layer to his writing.

Set against the backdrop of the sociopolitical conflict in Kashmir, Manav Kaul does not shy away from acknowledging the pain endured by both Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims. Rather than taking a singular stance, he presents a deeply personal lens that invites empathy and reflection. 

The narrative flows between past and present, often shifting timelines in a way that demands the reader’s full attention. While some parts are richly descriptive, others are fragmented, mirroring the nature of memory itself.

Manav Kaul, who is also a celebrated actor and filmmaker, brings a cinematic sensitivity to his storytelling. This was my first book by him, and I was struck by how lyrical yet restrained his prose is. 

Despite its brevity, Rooh is packed with emotion and meaning. It feels like a conversation — not just with the reader, but with Kashmir, with identity, and with loss.

If you enjoy reflective, atmospheric reads that blur the line between fiction and memoir, it is a must. It is not just a book — it is a journey into memory, longing, and belonging.

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