Londonstani

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Londonstani is the name of Gautam Malkani's debut novel, first published in Great Britain in 2006. The name is derived from the setting of the novel, London, and the fact that the subject matter is the lives of second and third generation South Asian immigrants.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The novel is told by Jas, the smart Indian youth who used to read books has become a newly accepted member in to Hardjit's gang of thugs, which reprograms stolen cellphones so they can be reactivated. The novel starts of with Hardjit assaulting a white student who Hardjit thinks called him a "Paki". After Hardjit is done the group then heads over to the their stolen phone suppliers, Davinder, to supply them with new phones. As the group returns to Hardjit's house Amit, the perverted member of the group, breaks the phone when he's playing around with it. Annoyed and angered, Hardjit demands Amit replace the phone. The novel then takes to a fight between Hardjit and a Pakistani muslim, Tariq, who Hardjit accuses of trying to convert Sikh girls to Islam. During the fight the police arrive and question the group. Out of nowhere the gangs old Teacher, Mr. Ashwood, arrives at the scene and convinces the police that they were only bhangra dancing. While Mr.Ashwood is talking to the police Amit searches Mr.Ashwoods coat pocket and pickpockets the type of phone he broke. When Mr. Ashwood returns and finds his phone missing he suspescts the group that they stole it. When they finally admit to stealing the phone and also to their lucrative business, he then black mails the group to speak with a former student of his who graduated Cambridge, Sanjay, or he would call the cops. When the group heads over to Sanjay's they expect him to be a effeminate coconut (someone with brown skin who acts like their white), but their expectations are not true. Sanjay, a wealthy businessman, offers them a deal that they would continue reprogramming cellphones, but would give the give the cellphones to him and in return Sanjay would pay them. The group then reluctantly agrees and becomes wealthy quickly. Sanjay also gives advice to Jas about getting the girl of his dreams Samira Ahmed, a young Pakistani muslim girl. Eventually he does begin to go out with her, but must do in secrecy out of fear that Jas's Friends or Samira's brothers would try an kill Jas due to their religious hosilities . As the novel progresses Jas eventually befriends Amit's brother Arun and gives him advice on how to deal with his mother, who is trying to control Arun's wedding.

Later on, Arun and his Mother have a huge falling out and Jas becomes involved. Since Amit believed Jas created family problems he avoids Jas. Afterwards Hardjit and Ravi find out about Jas's secret relationship with Samira and estrange themselves from Jas. Arun then commits suicide with an aspirin overdose , which estranges Jas from the gang even more so. After the funeral Jas and Samira get into a fight and break up. When Jas goes to Sanjay's for refuge Sanjay tells Jas that he owes him two hundred phones or else Sanjay will send photoshop pictures of Jas and Samira to everyone in the community. Jas, who cannot use Hardjit's contacts decides that he must steal from his father's phone store. While Jas is robbing his father's store, he is attacked by three hooded men and gets knocked out. When Jas becomes conscious he desperately tries to remove the blood from the carpet by burning it. The store then engulfs in flames and Jas becomes unconscious again. As the novel comes to a close, Jas wakes up in a hospital finding his parents at his bedside yelling at him for what he's done. Jas finally explains everything to them. The novel ends with Jas thanking his nurse, who he finds attractive. At this point Jas realizes that his life is not completely ruined and can start a relationship with the nurse.