Historical novel on Bahrain

Chandan Sen Gupta is keen on telling the world about Bahrain’s magnificent history and through his new book he attempts just that.

Although fused with fiction, the Indian expat’s book “Land of Two Seas” details events in Bahrain and the region during the World War II.

The book, he describes as “an exciting account of treachery, betrayal and heroism in the face of adversity during the course of World War II in the Middle East” will be launched in Bahrain next month.

Although this is his first book, his articles and writings on Bahrain, have been published in various literary magazines. “Professionally, I am a civil engineer working in a construction company here, but I enjoy writing. I took to serious writing over the past three years. It started when a contest was announced to write about Bahrain. I missed the deadline for that contest, but I continued writing about Bahrain and that is how I ended up writing this book,” he said.

“Beyond the Arabian Gulf, the island of Bahrain is a mystery. Having lived here for 15 years, I have experienced the country and explored its momentous history.

Those lessons and knowledge have led to the birth of my book. Although a work of fiction, it has been woven around facts. Facts, that in all likelihood, you have never read about,” he noted.

“It’s a fiction based on Bahrain. It is a historical novel which dates back to 1940. The book brings to light certain facts around World War II and Bahrain’s contribution in particular towards the victory of its allies in the defeat of fascism.

“The book is woven around historic facts. It describes the life of the people of Bahrain at the time, both Bahrainis and expatriates,” he explained.

“I would say about 50 per cent is actually facts, because not only events, I have described about Bahrain’s population, I explained Bahrain’s geology, the life of Bahrainis and life of expatriates etc.,” he said. The book will be available for sale as a paperback at Jashanmal Book Stores toward the second week of February.

Photo: Chandan Sen Gupta