The kind of book you finish and immediately want to discuss with others.

Reading *The English Problem* felt like revisiting a world that I’ve glimpsed through stories passed down by my own family—where the echoes of colonial rule ripple into the deepest parts of the soul. The novel is rich, layered, and painfully real, a masterful narrative that captures how complex and haunting the experience of living under British colonialism was.

The story of Shiv Advani, an Indian man chosen by none other than Mahatma Gandhi to come to England, had me hooked from the start. His journey from stepping foot in rainy London to grappling with the weight of colonialism isn’t just compelling—it’s deeply personal for anyone who has lived through or inherited the effects of empire.

Shiv’s struggle to "beat the English at their own game" resonates with the duality of admiration and resentment that many of us from former colonies can relate to. It struck a chord with my own memories of navigating spaces where you feel like you don’t quite belong, and yet, you try to find your place. The way Kamlani weaves his internal battle—between his sense of duty to his people and the allure of becoming part of the very world he’s meant to oppose—is brilliantly written.

The novel explores the many faces of colonialism—racism, identity, self-worth, and the psychological scars that remain long after the colonialists have left. Shiv’s story is heart-wrenching and poignant, especially when he begins to question not just the British, but himself. He’s not just trying to understand the English, but how they’ve affected the way he sees his own country and his place in the world.

For anyone with roots in a post-colonial world—or simply those curious about the subtleties of what it means to be "colonized"—*The English Problem* is essential reading. Kamlani’s writing is a quiet storm—it sneaks up on you, lingers in the most unexpected places, and leaves a lasting impression.