Mariamma is only 12 when she’s told she is to be married off to an older widow. There is nothing to be done, as this is her fate, just as it was for her own mother and those who came before her, in her home in southern India at the start of the 1900’s. She is, in truth, more worried for her dear mother, who herself has been widowed and is now at the mercy of her father’s brother, who perceives her more as a burden than as family. But Mariamma knows she is loved, knows how to love, and this serves her well. She enters her new home with an open heart and embarks upon a journey that brings her both great joys and deep sorrows.
This is a gorgeous family saga that enriches the reader with a deeper understanding of not only Indian culture, but of a bit of the unrest that ensued after the liberation of India from British rule. We immediately bond to Mariamma and her life becomes part of our own. When the plot shifts to focus on Digby, a young Scottish physician who comes to India on a quest to get practical surgical experience, we find ourselves adopting him as well. The characters and their stories are authentic, vulnerable, and gritty and we can’t help but get swept up in their struggles and their joys.
One of my favorite characters here is Mariamma’s husband, who is referred to as Big Appachen. He is a man of very few words, but his actions speak for themselves. He is generous beyond words – he rewards those who are loyal to him (and sometimes those who are not) with land grants and opportunities – and tries to overlook the traditional caste system that divides the people who work for him. While he does not express what he feels verbally, he shows it in the most important ways – through his protectiveness, his generosity, and his kindness. (I know I could learn from this, being one of many words.)
I loved this book. I believe these characters will live on with me for a very long time.
Give yourself the gift of reading it – you will not be disappointed! For sure, a MUST READ!
kindread spirits 