"The Covenant of Water" is an engaging multi-generational novel mostly set around the southwest tip of India. In 1900, a 12-year-old bride is married "The Covenant of Water" is an engaging multi-generational novel mostly set around the southwest tip of India. In 1900, a 12-year-old bride is married in an arranged marriage to a 40-year-old man, and moves to the estate of Parambil. She will become the matriarch of the family, and is called Big Ammachi (big mother). She is loved for her warm heart and kindness. Many of her husband's family members have "The Condition" where they are unable to swim and are prone to drowning. The author is a medical doctor, and he includes many medical scenes in the book--surgeries, childbirth, symptoms of "The Condition," and more.
In alternating chapters a Scottish doctor, Digby Kilgour, joins the Indian Medical Service. After a tragic event, his surgeon's hands are damaged and he looks for a new purpose in life. Digby becomes friends with a Swedish doctor, Rune Orqvist, who runs a leprosarium. One can see parallels between the isolation of the lepers and the social isolation of the untouchables in the Indian caste system. The British also have their divisions in terms of class.
The book is absorbing as it tells about the joys and tragedies at Parambil, farming, medical research into "The Condition," the building of a much needed hospital, political and social changes in the 20th century, and the community of Christians which can be traced back to the arrival of St Thomas in India. Family secrets are also important, and slowly unveiled. The book spans 77 years so it includes the time of Indian independence.
"The Covenant of Water" is a long book of 724 pages. However, once I became acquainted with the characters, I didn't want to put it down. Author Abraham Verghese writes with empathy about both the lovable and flawed characters so his books are a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!...more
Dark Invader was a racehorse who was shipped from England to Calcutta, India, in the early 1930s. Mr Leventine, his new owner, arranged for his groom,Dark Invader was a racehorse who was shipped from England to Calcutta, India, in the early 1930s. Mr Leventine, his new owner, arranged for his groom, Ted Mullins, to travel with him. John Quillan, a former cavalry officer, was to be his trainer. The three men were outsiders in various ways, but they came together to race Dark Invader.
The Sisters of Poverty had a convent close to the racetrack where they cared for destitute elderly and disabled people. Every night the sisters made the rounds of restaurants that would give them leftover food. Their aging horse pulled a large cart of food back to the convent where it would be used for meals for the poor. When their horse dies, the sisters pray for another horse--or the funds to buy one. Mother Morag finds a way with the help of Dark Invader.
The book is atmospheric showing the slums of Calcutta to the posh parties of the rich. There was strong prejudice in the Indian caste system, and the English social class divisions. The work of the grooms, trainers, and jockeys was interesting. Mother Morag and her sisters had both disturbing and humorous scenes, especially when the good Mother uses devious methods to obtain funds to do God's work.
The Dark Horse was originally published as an adult book, but was republished as a crossover book for YA readers. The first few chapters have some unfamiliar Indian words, but once you know them, the rest of the book is a relaxing read. The author combined her knowledge of India, nuns, and horses into an engrossing story. It was a heartwarming book with a good sense of place....more
"He knew that Sophie was like a kingfisher herself, choosing some strange, unthought-of place for her nest, diving relentlessly for her private fish, "He knew that Sophie was like a kingfisher herself, choosing some strange, unthought-of place for her nest, diving relentlessly for her private fish, then flashing out of sight."
"Kingfishers Catch Fire" has some autobiographical elements in the story since Rumer Godden lived in Kashmir in the 1940s with her two children. The descriptions in the book of this mountainous area in the northern Indian subcontinent are beautiful, and the misunderstandings between the British family and the locals seem authentic.
In the story Sophie is widowed, and has very little money left after paying off her deceased husband's debts. She rents a house in Kashmir and plans to live a simple life. The locals assume she is a rich woman, and take advantage of her ignorance by overcharging her for everything and stealing from her home. Sophie misjudges situations, including the animosity between the Hindus and the Muslims. Although the book starts slowly, the second half picks up when Sophie and her daughter each find themselves in dangerous situations.
I loved the other three Rumer Godden novels I have read, but it took me longer to warm to this story. Most of the characters were unreliable or dishonest, partly due to extreme poverty. Sophie created many of the unfortunate situations because she was idealistic, would not listen to advice, and didn't use good judgment. Her daughter, Teresa, seemed to understand their precarious situation but her mother did not take her seriously. So even though Godden's writing was lovely, it was frustrating to read about a woman who made one questionable decision after another. 3.5 stars....more
Indian writer Anita Desai included three novellas in this collection, set in some of the more remote areas of contemporary India. All three novellas aIndian writer Anita Desai included three novellas in this collection, set in some of the more remote areas of contemporary India. All three novellas are loosely connected by themes of artistic expression and loss.
"The Museum of Final Journeys" involves a decaying private art museum, and the government official who is asked to save it.
"Translator Translated" tells about a woman translating a work from a minor language into English. She does more than translate, rewriting the text to make the work more vibrant.
"The Artist of Disappearance" is about Ravi, a psychologically-damaged artist who uses found objects in nature. He lives in solitude in the Himalayan mountains. When a film crew comes to film environmental destruction, they stumble upon his hidden artistic garden.
All three main characters feel socially uncomfortable in their environment. The novellas involve the decay and destruction of India's cultural and environmental treasures. 3.5 stars. ...more
It's 1922 in India during the time of the British Raj, and Commander Joe Sandilands of the Scotland Yard is planning on returning to England. The deteIt's 1922 in India during the time of the British Raj, and Commander Joe Sandilands of the Scotland Yard is planning on returning to England. The detective is requested to stay in India for a special investigation into a possible suicide by an officer's wife in Panikhat. Joe is aided by the Indian policeman Naurung Singh. He also gets social information about the cavalry unit and the wives from Nancy, the attractive best friend of the victim.
Joe discovers that five officer's wives had died under questionable circumstances during the month of March in the last dozen years. Each one was a victim of her own worst phobia--a snake bite, drowning, a fall from heights, etc. The husbands were devastated by the deaths of their beloved wives. Joe and Naurung must determine how the murderer chooses the victims. It's the month of March and the killer might strike again!
I enjoyed "The Last Kashmiri Rose" for its historical aspect as much as for the suspenseful plot. The atmosphere of Panikhat, the station of a British cavalry unit about 50 miles from Calcutta, shows the cultural and tribal attitudes in India at that time. I liked Barbara Cleverly's 2001 debut, and will look to see where Joe Sundiland is headed next....more
Nine people were in the basement-level visa office in the Indian Consulate while the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly. When an earthquake hit San FNine people were in the basement-level visa office in the Indian Consulate while the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly. When an earthquake hit San Francisco, concrete rained down, obstructing the exit out, and leaving them in the dark. Water from leaking pipes slowly seeped into the room. Tempers were running hot and nervous.
Uma, a graduate student, had been reading The Canterbury Tales when the quake hit. She suggested that they focus their minds by each telling a story. She said, "I don't believe anyone can go through life without encountering at least one amazing thing."
The trapped people shared their lives with the strangers in the room. There are stories about unhappy childhoods, love, special talents, attempted suicide, post-traumatic stress, and more. The stories are engaging, and let us see each person as an individual. It was a little disappointing that the book was open-ended, and we could only imagine the fate of the trapped group in the Consulate. 3.5 stars....more
Lakshmi ran away from an abusive husband at the tender age of seventeen. She went to the pink city of Jaipur to eventually become a henna artist and hLakshmi ran away from an abusive husband at the tender age of seventeen. She went to the pink city of Jaipur to eventually become a henna artist and herbalist to upper class women. The independent Lakshmi was finally in a financial position to afford a small house when her life was upended. Her former husband found her, and he was accompanied by her sister who she didn't know existed.
Henna artists were in demand for weddings and other important rituals. Wealthy women had parties where they were adorned with henna. Henna was also used for sensual appeal for couples hoping for a pregnancy. Lakshmi also used fragrant oils and lotions that could be massaged into the skin, as well as providing herbal products for a variety of ailments.
"The Henna Artist" is set in 1950s India, a time of great change after India established independence from Great Britain. Elements about class and customs are woven into the story. Lakshmi is on the cutting edge for that era when most women stayed in arranged marriages. But unfortunate actions by her sister threatened to topple everything Lakshmi had carefully cultivated.
The descriptions are full of color, smells of warm spices and delicious food, soft cushions, a marble palace, beautiful plants, and a talking bird. But one is also aware of the men pulling rickshaws, the servants, the prostitutes, and the children roaming the streets. Author Joshi transports us to Jaipur and Shimla in this story.
I enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Lakshmi who seemed to be pulled by responsibilities in many directions. While there were a few events that did not seem totally realistic, I felt that the author was an entertaining storyteller....more
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