Pather Panchali by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay

Penned by the well-known author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Pather Panchali offers a glimpse into the life, struggles, and ambitions of a poor family in rural Bengal in the early twentieth century. The story unravels through the eyes of Apu and his elder sister Durga, who share a strong bond even through trying times. Their father, Harihar Roy is a poor priest whose meager earnings aren't enough to provide for his family. However, he firmly believes that he can become successful as a poet and writer, and he goes looking for job opportunities leaving his family at home. Tragedy befalls the family in his absence when Durga succumbs to pneumonia, submerging them in grief. Dealing with their loss, the Roy family ultimately decides to move to Kashi with the hope of a better life ahead. This tale brilliantly captures the essence of rural life in colonial Bengal while taking the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride.