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bittersweet_symphony 's review for:
The Inheritance of Loss
by Kiran Desai
I found this novel underwhelming given it's high praise as a National Book Critics Circle Winner and Man Booker Prize Winner. I tend to prefer character-driven narratives. The Inheritance of Loss populates a very rich and colorful south east Asian landscape with many characters. Unfortunately, the players in this story were too many and too under-developed. They played more like chess pieces, existing to show the political turmoil and economic changes of to the region.
Desai gives insight into life as an immigrant, and shows the impact felt by locals of the subcontinent in postcolonial India. One string questions pulled from one of the final chapters captures the heart of the novel: "What was India to these people? How many people lived in the fake versions of their countries, in fake versions of other people's countries? Did their lives feel as unreal to them as his own did to him?"
Again, Desai painted a sensuous and almost fantastic image of a land she loves. My only wish is that I could get a better sense for the impulses, quirks, and psychology of her characters--I wanted to care and be compelled, but ultimately, she failed. I hope others will have more luck enjoying what I think is probably an important novel.
Desai gives insight into life as an immigrant, and shows the impact felt by locals of the subcontinent in postcolonial India. One string questions pulled from one of the final chapters captures the heart of the novel: "What was India to these people? How many people lived in the fake versions of their countries, in fake versions of other people's countries? Did their lives feel as unreal to them as his own did to him?"
Again, Desai painted a sensuous and almost fantastic image of a land she loves. My only wish is that I could get a better sense for the impulses, quirks, and psychology of her characters--I wanted to care and be compelled, but ultimately, she failed. I hope others will have more luck enjoying what I think is probably an important novel.