THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS – Kiran Desai (Booker Prize 2006)

I read this book both from the perspective of a budding writer and a voracious, eclectic reader.

As a reader, I take immense pleasure, watching a story unfold with many colorful characters and a well-knit plot. The book’s loss is in its characters. The story line is thin and drab, with only four sad creatures (note, not characters) cocooned in a distant place, except for one, who is conveniently packed off to the U.S to introduce a multi-cultural dimension to the plot. Though the synopsis on the back of the book promises hilarity, I couldn’t find signs of delight or humor.

However, the beauty of the novel lies in the writer’s insights and sensitivity to sketch the negative emotions dwelling deep within each of us. Desai’s wisdom in understanding loss is commendable but precisely why the story fails to kindle wonder, hope and inspiration.

After all, it is human nature to seek examples from lively and strong characters portrayed in literary fiction, who can morph loss into gain, sadness into happiness, lightly, humorously and seamlessly, against all odds. There is always the possibility, that false reality / illusion / fantasy (doesn’t fiction fall partially in this realm?) can catalyze optimism and urge one to succeed and find happiness.

As a writer, I am impressed, how painstakingly the author (eight years to write the book and a Master’s in Creative Writing from Columbia Univ … hmmm!) has gone into the finer details of creating word play, lyrical sentences, elaborate, rich descriptions and twists in transitions, which led to the Booker Prize. Any student pursuing creative writing and learning the do’s and don’ts of what makes a book popular and what fetches an honorable prize should read this book.

If you are looking for entertainment, this book is a no, no!