The God of Small Things

  To review a literary masterpiece like Roy's 'The God of Small Things' is not something that suits my station. I am, but a humble admirer of her prose and flow of storytelling. This piece need not satisfy you as an unbiased review and, I take bail on grounds that this is better suited as a humble admiration for the story,the storytelling, and the storyteller.

The first time I picked this title, I was left fully unsatisfied. I couldn't make head or tail of the story because of the non-linearly flowing narration and the language that appeared much too sophisticated. It was one of my friends (who is also my bookshop hopping partner and personal goodreads) who asked me to give it a second try.

I will forever be grateful to her for letting me into Ayemanam, to Ammu,Estha and Rahel's worlds of privileges and defiances.

The story begins with Rahel's re-entry to Ayemanam, summoned by her grand aunt, Baby Kochamma (Navomi Ipe). She has asked Rahel to come and settle matters of her di-zygotic twin Brother, Esthappen Yako, who has been sent back from his father's.

Esthappen, battling his own demons and increasingly conscious of his role as History's Henchman in the murder of Velutha,their mother's lover and the children's friend, has withdrawn to himself, no longer left with words to speak or emotions to show. Quietness is his defining feature. He has been both victim and perpetrator's tool; his dilemmas lead him to introspection but freeze him there.

With Rahel, Emptiness becomes her identity. As a child, she was nothing but an observer of History's vengeance. Her inability to respond to her rapidly tumbling world left her a drained river that could only be filled with the flow of understanding and acceptance.

Ammu, their mother, their Baba was the Dual. She could be the tender mother, the gentle lover and the fierce trapped animal. She could be savage and soft, considering who kept her company. Ammu dared to question the Love laws and her penalty was 4 lives (2 lives and 2 childhoods). Ammu is a character that is not easily forgotten, she enters to stay.

The God of Small Things, Velutha, the man born in the wrong place, the trigger of the vengeance, the victim of all injustices, the man whose sole baggage was his sudden smile, is a character that has the power to singe your hearts. The futility of even discussing the Big things that lurked inside was obvious to him. To him, all that mattered were the small things, Rahel's ecstacy at being thrown into the air, Esthappen's sense of validation at finding the boat, their mother's dimples when she smiled. He saw significance in these, because born into the class he was, he knew Big things were not his.

The God of Small Things appealed primarily because of its non-linear narration. While this can irritate the first time reader, I'll request you to persevere and explore the treasure Roy has created. 

This is also a criticism of the social structure of Kerala and its very many shortfalls.

The portrayal of the policeman and the politician couldn't be any more accurate.

The language used is also very unique.Roy experiments with spellings, exposing us to the child's tryst with English. 

Well developed characters and the common yet fascinating story line does absolute justice to its many awards and recognitions, including the Booker prize in 1997.

The God of Small Things is a definite favourite because of its poignant story, unique narration and quirky style.