The
god of small things is not a god, he’s a man, and an Untouchable man, at that. Velutha,
a member of the lowest Indian caste, wins the hearts of three characters (and the
reader) in this sad tale.
Velutha
first wins over Ammu, daughter of a factory owner, when they are both children.
He makes her intricate toys, “small things,” which he must offer on the palm of
his hand, so she doesn’t have to touch him. Velutha grows up to become a gifted
engineer and carpenter who would be running the factory if not for his social
status. He later wins the hearts of her children, who belong to a new
generation and may play with him, not just snatch his presents.
When
Ammu comes home after her divorce, she sees Velutha in a new light. But in
India, the “Love Laws” are strong, and cross-caste love is the most harshly
judged. The children will suffer for their mother’s transgression.
This
is a powerfully told story that encapsulates much about India’s attitudes
toward class, women, and relationships. Told in large part from the points of
view of Ammu’s twin children, we readers must puzzle through their misunderstandings
of what is going on around them.
The
writing is lyrical and sparkles with word play. I enjoyed this novel more than Rushdie’s,
and found in it echoes of Michael Ondaatje’s work on Sri Lanka. A Booker
classic.
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