City of Joy," by Dominique Lapierre. Specifically, Term Paper

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City of Joy," by Dominique Lapierre. Specifically, it will study the underlying message of hope and love that permeates the book, and how such a devastating life can be a "city of joy" to the slum dwellers in Calcutta.

CITY OF JOY lesson of hope and faith for the world."

Pope John Paul II

Author Dominique Lapierre researched this book by living with the people of India, and the people who try to help them for three years. His experiences come to life in this moving book, and even more importantly, the royalties of the book are all donated to a relief group to aid those who live in Anand Nagar, or "The City of Joy."

Through royalties generated from Lapierre's international bestsellers, The City of Joy, Beyond Love and A Thousand Suns, through lecture fees, and donations from readers, the organization has rescued 9,000 children suffering from leprosy and other diseases due to malnutrition and poverty; suppressed tuberculosis in 1,200 villages; dug 541 tube wells for drinking water; provided medical assistance to over 5 million patients in the last 10 years; and taught the women of a thousand villages to read and write (CityofJoyaid.org).

Critics have called "A City of Joy" one of the most important books on the culture and sociology of India. The "Washington Post Book World" said, "Some of its moments may stay with the reader forever. This book contains great lessons of resilience and dignity, and of what is really important when life is paired down to its essence" (Lapierre, introduction). From the opening page, the reader understands this beautifully written book will celebrate the culture and beliefs of the Indians, as well as show their abject poverty, and the horrible conditions of the slums in Calcutta.

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Yet, even from the beginning, it is apparent this is not a story of despair, but of hope, and of love. "Then he heard the old peasant murmur, as if to himself, 'Coal doesn't change it's color when you wash it. What can't be cured must be endured'" (Lapierre 6). This is the theme of these resilient people, and one of the reasons this book is so haunting. It tells the story of people who endure, no matter what.

This is a story of people who are used to hardships, and have learned how to deal with them through courage and good humor. Rather than bemoan the loss of everything he had worked so hard to obtain, Prodip Pal revels in the joy of his sons. "What a blessing those sons were" (Lapierre 7)! This is the central conception to the book, and one from which everyone can learn important lessons. These people do not feel sorry for themselves - rather they revel in the joys they can find, because they "shared in a communal world and respected its social and religious values, maintaining the ancestral traditions and beliefs" (Lapierre 45). This is why the decrepit slum is called "The City of Joy." It is more than clear they are poor, but they are happy, and it becomes a joy to read about it, even though many of their experiences are quite simply unspeakable.

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