The Wildings

Nilanjana Roy knows her cats. But she also knows how to write a story that draws you deep into a world that is half fantasy and half real, as we visit 'the labyrinthine alleys and ruins of Nizamuddin, an old neighbourhood in Delhi' and meet the band of cats who live there....the very names bring alive their personalities - Miaow the Elder, Katar the Warrior, Southpaw, the adventurous kitten. Qawwali, a dhargah cat, Bitterbite and Bakbuk (crows!) and other evocative names make you pause and smile (and perhaps when the book is available internationally, a small glossary will open fascinating doors to readers overseas!). And then there are the cats on the dark side, Aconite, Dattura, Ratsbane...names that conjure up the evil that lurks beneath the surface, waiting to erupt and draw you into a climax that is both dark, frightening, victorious, and moving in the extreme.

This book is an accomplished piece of writing and as a 'notorious' cat lover I have been gifted it thrice, and have gifted it a dozen times over, but not just to my cat friends - to anyone who enjoys a really imaginative journey of words. I will revisit it again and again to enter the fascinating world of the Wildings, and am waiting for the author to pick up where she left off. The illustrations enhance an already enriching experience, and if you are a cat lover, you simply must give yourself the qualification of having read this book.

Bumped into this book accidently while searching for something else, read the intro, read other people's reviews and thought to give it a try. Ordered it immediately and as usual no words for flipkart-delivery :). The first few pages were so boring....i begun to doubt the reviews posted here but nonethless carried on. But as i progressed further it started becoming so much interesting my mind just kept asking "what next...what next". And when I finally finished it my mind was like......WOW, was hell of a story telling. The way the author has woven the incidents and different creatures together and wrote the story from there point of view, you will just love it. In short I am desperately waiting for the sequel (if any but hope it to be :D ). Would love to see Mara and Southpaw growup and become fierce hunters of their clan (these 2 are kittens in the book).

A wonderful read for the cat-lovers and non cat-lovers alike.

Almost all the characters in the book are non-human and humans are referred to as Bigfeet by the felines and other animals. The story is about Mara - a cute, orange furball who lands amidst a pack of cats after she separates from her mother. Unbeknownst to her, she is a Sender - a cat who can telepathically converse with other cats and even teleport sometimes. A dashed difficult problem arises when the cats in the free Nizamuddin area of Delhi are confronted with an existential crisis - a wild pack of cruel cats from the neighbouring area.

An engaging read with wonderful illustrations by Prabha Mallya. Don't miss this.

This book is very well written both for children as well as us grown ups. The narratives does not drift and carries on at a very good and catchy pace. The characters of all the "wildings" in the Nizamuddin area are well sketched and very likable. My favorite is the mongoose "Madam Kirri". This character reminded me most of Rikki Tikki Tavi from the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. The illustations on the hard back are very well done and add weight to the story. I would recommend this book highly.

The Wildings is a brilliant read, and a must for any cat lover. Nilanjana Roy creates a world of fantasy rooted in reality that enthralls and captivates. Prabha Mallya's sketches, which intersperse the narrative, are absolutely stunning, and add a lot to the story. I wish this one has a sequel soon!