Comprehensive Review of Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman

Literature Reviews - 2025

Comprehensive Review of Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman

Overview

Padma Venkatraman’s Climbing the Stairs is a young adult historical fiction novel set in 1940s British-occupied India. The novel follows Vidya, a 15-year-old Brahmin girl whose life takes a drastic turn when her father is brutally beaten during a peaceful protest. Forced to move into her conservative extended family's home, she struggles against societal expectations, seeking solace in a forbidden library and yearning for an education rather than an arranged marriage.

Plot Summary

Vidya enjoys a relatively progressive life in Bombay, with a father who supports her ambition to attend college. However, her world shatters when her father is left permanently disabled after being attacked by the British police during a demonstration. With their family’s financial stability gone, Vidya, her mother, and her brother Kitta must move into her grandfather’s strict and patriarchal household in Madras.

The house operates under rigid gender roles—women are confined to serving men, have little autonomy, and must remain on the lower floor while men occupy the upper floors. Vidya, however, finds refuge in her grandfather’s forbidden library, secretly indulging in books that fuel her dreams of independence. She also meets Raman, a young man in the household who respects her intellect and aspirations, offering the possibility of romance.

Meanwhile, her brother Kitta grapples with his own moral dilemma—whether to join the British Indian Army in World War II. His decision challenges Vidya’s and her father’s staunch belief in nonviolence, drawing a powerful contrast between idealism and harsh reality.

Strengths

  1. Historical and Cultural Authenticity
    • The novel provides a rich and vivid depiction of life in 1940s India, capturing the complexities of British colonial rule, the Indian independence movement, and the intersection of World War II with Indian politics.
    • The rigid caste and gender roles in traditional Brahmin households are portrayed realistically, showing both the oppression faced by women and the internal family struggles over modern versus traditional values.
  2. Vidya as a Strong Female Protagonist
    • Vidya is an inspiring character—determined, intelligent, and rebellious in a society that seeks to suppress her.
    • Her internal conflicts, especially her guilt over her father’s condition and her struggles to find freedom within oppressive family traditions, make her a deeply relatable and well-developed protagonist.
  3. Exploration of Feminism and Education
    • The novel highlights the importance of education for women in a time when their roles were largely limited to marriage and household duties.
    • Vidya’s love for books and learning is a central theme, symbolizing her fight for self-determination in a society that devalues female intellect.
  4. Complex Moral Dilemmas
    • The contrast between Vidya’s father’s Gandhian nonviolence and Kitta’s choice to fight in the war adds depth to the novel. It presents the reader with thought-provoking ethical questions about resistance, war, and personal sacrifice.
  5. Engaging and Emotional Storytelling
    • Venkatraman’s writing style is compelling, making readers feel the weight of Vidya’s struggles while immersing them in historical India.
    • The emotional stakes are high—Vidya’s grief, fear, and hope are all palpable, making the book both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Weaknesses

  1. Unrealistically One-Dimensional Antagonists
    • Many characters in Vidya’s extended family, particularly her uncle and aunt, are portrayed as excessively cruel and oppressive.
    • While such figures certainly existed in that time and culture, their complete lack of nuance makes them feel more like caricatures than fully developed characters.
  2. Stilted Dialogue at Times
    • Some readers noted that the dialogue occasionally feels unnatural, especially in moments of exposition where characters discuss historical events or social issues.
    • This may make certain parts of the novel feel more like a history lesson rather than an organic conversation.
  3. Romance Subplot Feels Underdeveloped
    • Vidya’s relationship with Raman is not as fleshed out as other aspects of the book.
    • While it serves as a subplot that reinforces her growth and choices, some readers found it unnecessary or clumsily integrated.

Critical Reception

Overall, Climbing the Stairs has received praise for its historical depth, feminist themes, and strong protagonist. Many readers appreciated its portrayal of gender inequality, family dynamics, and Indian history. However, some critiques focus on the lack of nuance in certain antagonistic characters and the occasionally forced dialogue.

Final Verdict

Padma Venkatraman’s Climbing the Stairs is a compelling historical novel that successfully blends personal and political struggles. With a strong heroine, a richly depicted setting, and themes of education, feminism, and moral dilemmas, the book provides an eye-opening look into 1940s India. While it has some minor flaws, particularly in character development and dialogue, it remains a powerful and thought-provoking read.