Soliloquy of 1971: A Memoir of the Liberation War of Bangladesh

by Rezaul Islam, Cordelia Fuller (Editor)

Rezaul Islam was a teenager during the period of Bangladesh's war of independence from Pakistan in 1971. A sensitive and skilled writer in his native language (Bengali/Bangla), he published the original version of this book in 2017, to warm acclaim. More recently, he worked with editor Cordelia Fuller to produce an English translation of this compelling work. From a review by Laszlo Czaban, former lecturer at Leeds “This book centers on the experiences of one extended family during the nine months of the Bangladesh Independence War. It describes ordinary events (not many violent ones, despite the war context) and ordinary and extraordinary situations, people, and communities.All these events are seen through the eyes of a young teenage boy, whose perceptions are about the people he knows, their roles in the family, their roles in the community.This book is a kind of a memoir, and not a diary. It is a collection of memories, sometimes more organized, sometimes more mosaic-like, but a set of memories that cover the year of the Independence War.Even the victory that comes at the end of the book is described through the return of the 15-year old freedom fighter, i.e., through the actions and behaviors of family and friends. Thus, the author’s story-telling style is maintained throughout. This is a valuable addition to the limited first-hand accounts of the Bangladesh Independence War, written in a style that welcomes the reader to gain insight into family, broader relationships, and communities.”

101 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2019

Reviews

[Jim Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A firsthand account of the war for an independent Bangladesh

This was an interesting war story. Told from the point of view of a teen on the sidelines, suffering through the fear and uncertainty of national oppression and rebellion, it brings an unusual and compelling perspective to war. Less about combat and battle, more about the powerless avoiding being persecuted and killed, I found this account engaging and enlightening.

[Cordelia Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is, in a sense, "my book." I am not the author, but I did work with the author to produce this English translation of his original book, which was in Bengali (Bangla). I would like to quote, here, a review of it by Laszlo Czaban, a lecturer at the Manchester Business School, formerly of Leeds University:
“This book centers on the experiences of one extended family during the nine months of the Bangladesh Independence War. It describes ordinary events (not many violent ones, despite the war context) and ordinary and extraordinary situations, people, and communities. All these events are seen through the eyes of a young teenage boy, whose perceptions are about the people he knows, their roles in the family, their roles in the community.
"This book is a kind of a memoir, and not a diary. It is a collection of memories, sometimes more organized, sometimes more mosaic-like, but a set of memories that cover the year of the Independence War.
"Even the victory that comes at the end of the book is described through the return of the 15-year old freedom fighter, i.e., through the actions and behaviors of family and friends. Thus, the author’s story-telling style is maintained throughout. This is a valuable addition to the limited first-hand accounts of the Bangladesh Independence War, written in a style that welcomes the reader to gain insight into family, broader relationships, and communities.”

[Tasnim Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir offers a glimpse into the day-to-day horrors of 1971. Through the eyes of an ordinary citizen, it vividly portrays the fear of dwindling family numbers, brutal abuses, and murder by the occupying forces and their allies. Yet, amid this darkness, the book captures the unyielding will for independence.

I wanted to read this when Bangladesh became once again free, this time from Sheikh Hasina, the tyrannical dictator for over a decade. Even though it’s going to be 53 years this year, Bangladesh as a nation-state is still in its early days, and I pray that the revolution continues to change things for the better. As Bangladesh continues its struggle against tyranny today, this book serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for true freedom.