4/17 Book Discussion: The Inheritance of Loss By Kiran Desai

[skoolmarm729]

April 17 - April 23: Chapters 1 - 11: Pages 1 - 64.

Please use this thread to begin discussing your early impressions as you dive into the novel.

• You might want to let us know which chapter and/or page number your commenting on in parentheses- helps us stay on topic and it prevents us from reading comments that may spoil an unread chapter for us (SPOILER).

(Ch1-5)
My first impression of Sai is how extremely lonely she must be. I cannot imagine a young woman being all alone in this decrepit house with these 2 strange old men. I am envisioning their home in a very desolate part of the country surrounded by mountains. I picture her reading her National Geographic magazines just so she can have a few moments of escape! I am eager to find out what has brought her here and if she has any plans of leaving. I am so sad for her already.

[jezzie]

Chapter One

Yes, the lonely girl, the unlikeable cook, and the proud grandfather.

Just a general impression from the very beginning: the lyrical prose.
This is my third book from an Indian author and all of them read like poetry.

"-- despite, ah, despite the mist charging down like a dragon, dissolving,
undoing, making ridiculous the drawing of borders."


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[mjais]

I'm currently on page 32. Here are my comments/observations so far:

a). The sharp contrast between the rural setting they live in, the rundown, decrepit condition of the house and the judge's expectations for teatime.

'...Never ever was tea served the way it should be, but he demanded at least a cake or scones, maccaroons or cheese straws. Something sweet and something salty. This was a travesty and it undid the very concept of teatime.'
(Pg 3)

b). The naivete of the cook in thinking that simply because his son was a cook in America/New York that he had achieved some measure of success.

'...and was sure that since his son was cooking English food, he had a higher position than if he were cooking Indian food.
...He imagined sofa, TV and bank account. Eventually Biju would make enough and the cook could retire.' (Pg17)

I felt sorry for him when I read that passage - his situation is bearable to him because he's waiting for his son to rescue him from his misery.

Jezzie I noticed the lyrical prose too. It surprised me a bit. So far I think it adds to the narrative, but I do wonder if it will become distracting or tiresome by the time we get to the end of the book.

[mjais]

Question:

How do you feel about the author's use of Hindi words and phrases in the book?

I like them. I love languages and it's fun to gather the meaning of the words from their context, because she doesn't explain them.

[jezzie]

Chapter 5

I love the interspersing of Hindu.

My grandson has a Hindu name. Kiran means Ray of Light.
My older daughter taught me about the Hindu Gods.
But I digress ... as usual.

Page 22: How had he learned nothing growing up? England he knew, and America, Dubai, Kuwait,
but not much else.

I grew up under much more enlightened circumstances and yet I'm so lacking in the understanding
of different cultures. How had he learned nothing growing up? grabbed me.


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[skoolmarm729]

I actually prefer when authors do NOT explain foreign language used in their writing. I like them to assume that we are intelligent enough to gather the meanings for ourselves. I have read many books where meanings are spelled out, and I'm offended as a reader!


So far, I adore her "subtle humor". It is so subtle, you may even miss it if you're not careful:

page 44: At the entrance to the house hung a thangkha of a demon- with hungry fangs and skull necklaces, brandishing an angry penis- to dissuade the missionaries.

I love the characterization of "the Cook" best, so far, and I'm bothered that we have yet to learn his name. He is surely a central character, but not worth naming- yet. The Cook seems to really hold the house together even in the worst of situations:

pg 1: Here, at the back, inside the cavernous kitchen, was the cook, trying to light the damp wood. He fingered the kindling gingerly for fear of the community of scorpions living, loving, reproducing in the pile. Once he'd found a mother, plumb with poison, fourteen babies on her back.

And to know that he is not paid adequately!

pg 54: ... his salary had hardly been changed in years. His last raise had been 25 rupees.

If my conversion research is correct- 25 Rupees is the equivalent of 63 cents!

[mjais]

Question:

Do you think the author's purpose in not naming the cook is to in some way give us a sense of the caste system?

Or do you think the character of the cook is being used as a literary device - to give us an insight into why Biju has some of the attitudes and beliefs that he does? For example, Biju's reaction to the pakistani ( pages 22 & 23)

I noticed that even though Biju's station in life (in New York) isn't much better than his father's - the author did give him a name.

[mjais]

I am curious to find out more of what happened to the judge (who also has a name - Jemu) while he was living in England. What happened that would make him retreat from everything? He isn't exactly thrilled that Sai has come to live with him, either.

But it seems like he had issues even before he went to England. He wouldn't throw the coconut in the water for good luck, not even as a gesture to put his father at ease.

'Jemubhai looked at his father, a barely educated man venturing where he should not be, and the love in Jemubhai's heart mingled with pity, the pity with shame. His father felt his own hand rise and cover his mouth: he had failed his son.'

'Jemu watched his father disappear. He didn't throw the coconut and he didn't cry. Never again would he know love for a human being that wasn't adulterated by another, contradictory emotion.' (Pg 37)

[jezzie]

Not sure. The cook is not being treated as an untouchable.
Maybe the son has a name to emphasize the difference between how
a common worker is viewed in America compared to India?

I haven't read enough about the judge yet to form any opinions.

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[jezzie]

After reading a bit more I now feel that Biju is every bit as scorned and as powerless in
America - as his father is in India.

I find it difficult to be making assumptions or drawing any conclusions every twenty pages.
So I think I will post once a week instead.


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[skoolmarm729]

I believe that The Cook, despite not being named, is a "powerful" person in the family. He seems to hold the family together and is, essentially, the person who helps the judge maintain his last link to wealthy English class- their manner of eating. Sai also admits to being jealous of Biju's relationship with The Cook, which shows how important that relationship is as well. Like many servants/slaves throughout history, The Cook is truly the most important part of the family- but is respected the least.

Jezzie- I think it's okay for us to post questions, responses, and comments frequently- it definitely keeps us thinking about the novel as we read. I like reading everybody's thoughts before I pick up the book each time. I hope you (and the rest of us) consider posting more than once a week.

[mjais]

I finished reading the pages for this week and I'm interested to see where the characters and the storyline lead.

Skoolmarm729 - I agree with your observations about the cook. Although he is a servant, it does not diminish his importance to the story or the family whether he is named or not.

As for how often we should post, well, I can only speak for myself. I have been making a concerted effort to log on more than I usually do in order to read everyone's comments and participate in our book club. The frequency will depend - from week to week - on my schedule, but I don't foresee a problem.

It's fun and interesting for me to read what each of us thinks about what we've read. As individuals, we'll each be affected by and take away different ideas and opinions from this book. It's this kind of diversity of thought that attracted me to the book club in the first place.

[skoolmarm729]

As we come to an end of our reading for this week, I am a bit confused by the judge.
pg. 61: The judge stared at his chessboard, but after the burning memory of his beginnings, he experienced the sweet relief now of recalling his life as a touring official in the civil service. It sounds as if he feels his own childhood was not a good one and that is clearly NOT the case (pgs. 58-59), so why does he refer to this as a "burning memory"? His life after childhood sounds pretty miserable, and it is an especially sad one now. Why is he so conflicted? angry? I'm sure the coming chapters will explain his adult feelings.

I hope everyone is enjoying this novel as much as I am. I am liking it more than I anticipated and have had to slow down my reading so as not to get too far ahead of everyone

[mjais]

I get a sense that the judge is both angry and ashamed of his family's position in the caste system.

'How he relished his power over the classes that had kept his family pinned under their heels for centuries - like the stenographer, who was Brahmin. (pg 61)

Hopefully, the upcoming chapters will give us more info.

'Ganesh' the Hindu god of prosperity is mentioned on pg 49. I was curious about this and looked it up.
Here's a photo:

[jezzie]

Something I do know a little about. Hindu Gods.
Ganesh is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

There is also a God with a monkey head. Hanuman.


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[skoolmarm729]

April 24 - April 30: Chapters 12 - 22: Pages 65 - 139

• Why do you think Kiran Desai chose to vary the point of view?
• Would The Inheritance of Loss be different if it had been told from the point of view of Sai or the judge alone, for example?

I'm not exactly sure as to why she varies the pov. It does seem that no matter who is telling the story, they each feel scorned and lost in their own ways. I do look forward to the different view points and would defintely miss not being able to look out from the cook's eyes or Sai's eyes.

Finally!! I am so excited for Sai that she has found Gyan!! For a minute, I was afraid she was willing to accept a life with the judge and the cook- thankfully I was very wrong, "She'd have to propel herself into the future by whatever means possible or she'd be trapped forever in a place whose time had already passed" (p.74). I was almost starting to feel depressed for her.

[mjais]

I'm not sure why she choses to tell the story from several points of view either, but I like it and I have a theory.

Each of the characters occupies a different status/station in life, different ages, different hopes/dreams, identities and human weaknesses. Through each person's "karma" we can see how some things in society change, while others remain the same.

Sai is finally getting a boyfriend. The cook pointed out to her that Gyan is Nepali. Will this cause conflict? How will her point of view differ because of her gender? We'll see.

[mjais]

I found a video of Kiran Desai (author) talking about the book and what she had in mind when she wrote it.

YouTube - Kiran Desai - The Inheritance of Loss

[jezzie]

Thanks so much MJ ... I'll be back tomorrow.



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[mjais]

Jezzie I'll look forward to reading your comments.

[skoolmarm729]

I think it's interesting that she calls this a "shadow book". All of the characters do seem to live on the lowest rung of the social ladder and really do seem to be trying to make the best out of their lots. Our formally educated judge is a scorned Indian and NOT a well-bred Englishman. Our newly arrived immigrant is an uneducated and impoverished Indian and NOT a business owning or professional Asian. Our two young lovers are falling for one another among mice and mold. Yes, I suppose they are "shadow people" in a "shadow book". Do you believe that these "shadows" are among the losses that they've inherited? From whom did they inherit these?

[jezzie]

In this country they would be considered the 'invisible' people.
Like the ones hundreds of people pass without seeing in Grand Central Station (NYC).

It's perhaps worse for those who have had a glimpse of life in the other side.

Be back tomorrow.

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[mjais]

You've both touched on some of the thoughts I've had as well.

I've wondered (since chapter 1) how the title of the book applied to or somehow gave insight into this story. An 'inheritance' implies something handed down, something generational. But what about the loss? Is it a loss of dignity, respect, the right to be treated as an individual by society regardless of one's wealth, class, social status, nationality?

In the video she says that she draws not only from her personal story as an immigrant, but also that of her parents, grandparents, and she could go on and on - further back in the past. This story could easily apply to any immigrants, anywhere in the world - past or present. The struggle and discrimination Biju is going through in present-day America aren't that different from what we know so far of the judge's experience in England years ago.

[mjais]

One of the passages that stood out for me in this week's reading is:

'The green card...Without it he couldn't leave. To leave he wanted a green card. This was the absurdity. How he desired the triumphant After The Green Card Return Home, thirsted for it - to be able to buy a ticket with the air of someone who could return if he wished or not if he didn't wish.' Pg. 99

[mjais]

Something else which stood out for me was the dilemma Biju faced regarding beef. (pgs 136-139)

Cows are sacred in India and part of the religion. As a cook, in a different culture with different beliefs, he's required to cook/serve beef or else lose his job.

I like the way the author uses this ( and other examples) to convey that what may seem like a minor matter to one culture, may be of huge concern to another.

[skoolmarm729]

Originally Posted by mjais

One of the passages that stood out for me in this week's reading is:

'The green card...Without it he couldn't leave. To leave he wanted a green card. This was the absurdity. How he desired the triumphant After The Green Card Return Home, thirsted for it - to be able to buy a ticket with the air of someone who could return if he wished or not if he didn't wish.' Pg. 99

That entire piece about Biju gave describes how he longs to go home. He simply cannot imagine being an illegal in America for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, his father brags about his son in America while Biju simply wants to go back.

I am trying to remain cautious about Biju's decision to walk off of his job because of the "beef dilemma". Although he quickly finds a new job at Ghandi's, I am afraid of the conflicts that he may find there.