Book Review: ‘Egrets, While War’ by Tishani Doshi

Book Title: Egrets, While War
Author: Tishani Doshi
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Number of Pages: 104
ISBN: 9373074644
Date Published: Jul. 14, 2026

Book Review

“Egrets, While War“, Tishani Doshi’s fifth poetry collection, features a vivid portrayal of birds like woodpeckers and egrets amidst landscapes ravaged by war and famine. These birds symbolise not only chaos and extinction but also offer glimpses of hope and renewal, suggesting that ‘someone said, when children die, they become birds / in heaven.’ The poems explore complex themes of massacre, memory, and the lingering presence of grief and beauty, insisting that even in a dystopian world, there exists an appetite for life and a “greed for the bloom.”

The collection’s structure mirrors life’s oscillations, weaving through the harsh realities of existence while underscoring the necessity of community and solidarity. Poems such as Home Speaks in Many Tongues address concepts of exile and familial bonds, invoking memories of Palestinian narratives while questioning violence and capitalism. Through a blend of humour and critical examination, Tishani critiques societal norms, using contemporary references, like Jeff Bezos’ space flight, to highlight themes of ecological destruction and human avarice.

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Tishani’s work resonates with intergenerational connections within the Global South, reflecting on historical traumas, colonialism, and the dehumanisation of marginalised bodies. The titular poem, Egrets While War, transcends mere observations of nature, portraying its role in survival amid brutality.

Overall, the collection fuses Indian poetic traditions with a universal perspective, transforming personal and political themes into an evocative call for astonishment and connection in a fractured world.

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