Book

Where I Live

📖 Overview

Where I Live is a poetry collection published in 2009 that spans over two decades of Arundhati Subramaniam's work. The poems track locations across India and Europe while examining both physical and metaphysical spaces. The collection moves between urban environments and interior landscapes, documenting experiences in Mumbai, London, and various holy sites. Subramaniam's background as a curator and critic informs her observations of art, spirituality, and human relationships. Through precise language and imagery, the poems navigate themes of belonging, displacement, and the search for home. The work wrestles with questions of identity and place while exploring how geography shapes consciousness and memory. The collection offers commentary on modernity and tradition in India, suggesting that location - both literal and figurative - forms an essential part of how humans understand themselves and their place in the world.

👀 Reviews

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Arundhati Subramaniam's overall work: Poetry readers appreciate Subramaniam's precise language and exploration of spirituality grounded in everyday experiences. Her work resonates with readers seeking contemporary perspectives on Indian mysticism and feminine identity. What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing style that makes complex spiritual concepts relatable - Balance of personal and universal themes - Fresh take on traditional Indian spiritual concepts - Strong feminist viewpoint while discussing mysticism What readers disliked: - Some find her poetry collections uneven in quality - Occasional criticism of dense academic language in prose works - Select readers note her spiritual writings can feel detached Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - When God is a Traveller: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) - Love Without a Story: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) - More Than a Life: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: - When God is a Traveller: 4.2/5 - More Than a Life: 4.6/5 One reader noted: "She brings mysticism down to earth without losing its essence." Another commented: "Her poetry finds the sacred in ordinary moments."

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🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Arundhati Subramaniam's poetry collection explores the complex relationship between place, identity, and belonging in modern urban India 🏛️ The book was published by Allied Publishers in 2009 and won the Tata Literature Live! Award for Best Book of Poetry 🎭 Many poems in the collection draw from Subramaniam's experience as a curator and arts manager at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai 📝 The author weaves together themes of mythology, contemporary city life, and personal history while challenging traditional notions of "home" 🗺️ The collection examines Mumbai's transformation through time, reflecting both its colonial past and its current status as a global metropolis