Sorry about being late.........again !!
here are some review excerpts from our fellow countrymen.
One Brit says: 'An intricate, clever, skilfully constructed story which overwhelms by its exuberance and its verbal virtuosity' Philip Ziegler The Daily Telegraph.
One U.S review says: 'The quality of Ms Roy's narration is so extraordinary - at once so morally strenuous and so imaginatively supple' Alice Truax, The New York Times.
One Aussie reviewer says: The God Of Small Things is lush and humid with a tropical density of language.....a compelling novel from an energetic writer of real power' Janet Chimonyo, Canberra Times.
Wow, if they are to be believed it sounds like we are in for a yoga class as well as a really good read !!!!
A few questions I found interesting were :
Who or what is the God of Small Things ?
and
What importance does Atundhati Roy ascribe to story, storytelling and play acting?
and
To what extent is the telling of the story more important than the story itself? I feel we may have previously discussed this when reading The Tiger's Wife, nevertheless I find it interesting to ponder here.
Love the wonderfully colourful and cheerful backdrop to this posting, Nancy. thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really enjoyed the novel on all kinds of levels: the language, the children's perceptions, the characterisation, the setting both physical and cultural. Jay's family is from Kerala. Malayalam was his Mum's first language and it is one of Jay's languages. The wet fertility enveloping everything seemed to me like a good enough reason to leave. The communism and education for women are still features in what has become a popular tourist destination. Food wasn't mentioned, but was a real highlight for Jay.
Anyway, back to the book and the questions: at one point, before he becomes the God of Loss, Velutha seems to personify the God of Small Things. When the concept is first introduced, it's seen as the god of personal despair because worse things happen on a national scale. Clearly, the two are intertwined. Velutha's life and death are just one example of the horrifying and tragic consequences of a policy practised on a national level. The description of the policemen's state of mind as the participate in "History in live performance" is dreadfully convincing. Could apply to genocide anywhere.
Which perhaps brings us to the second question: the importance the author ascribes to story telling and play acting: a lot. Stories permeate buildings (The History House); they are not escapism (the whole episode surrounding The Sound of Music); they become confused with reality, impinge upon it and create another reality; they are used to explain life. Life is a story created by human beings? I'm perhaps being a bit fanciful here, but it's clear that Roy sees stories as hugely important.
And this is revealed in the book's narrative structure and language. I felt that the telling of the story was as important as the story itself. It has to be or the story has no impact - it is just one of many. Here, the structure makes you want to read it again. And unlike The Tiger's Wife where I felt the author had missed an opportunity to insightfully consider the Bosnian War, I think Roy really does get to grips with a particular society in a way that reflects and informs us about universal issues. I really don't think The Tiger's Wife is in the same league, but there will be lots of commentators who will disagree.
Some of the description of people was a little repetitive (too many of them making a particular shaped hole) but really that's just nitpicking - the vividness and originality of the writing was brilliant. If I could introduce even a fraction of that energy in my pathetic pieces for my writing class, I'd be overjoyed.
So, ladies, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will keep the copy (which arrived in a time frame which does credit to Amazon) and hopefully re-read it.
Thank you both for all you do to improve my reading opportunities.
I hope you are both O.K. - and that work is less hectic, Katie. We are in the midst of converting the garage into a dining room. They are taking up the floor on Monday. Dreadful prospect.
Take care of yourselves.
Sue
Hello to you both!
ReplyDeleteSue that was some impressive speed reading! I’m terribly sorry that my post will not even be on par with the intelligent analysis you’ve posted.
I can tell that Roy used a great deal of symbolism and many different literary devices to bring the reader deeper into the story. However, I’m afraid I couldn’t see past the simple basics of the story. I blame this on the heat and pregnancy. For once I feel like the student who is unable to intelligently answer the test questions. I may have to read this novel again when I don’t have “placenta brain.”
I found this story quite sad. It was terrible how often Rahel and Estha seemed to be tolerated instead of loved by their family (excluding Ammu). While a sweet child, Sophie Mol is given immediate undeserved heroine status for nothing more than existing. This favoritism between the grandchildren was frustrating to me.
The other sad portion of this novel was love affair between Ammu and Velutha. It was just so disheartening that two people, whose actions were not affecting anyone, were not allowed their affair. Didn’t these people deserve a little happiness? Both were being mistreated by society; Ammu for being divorced, Velutha for being in the “wrong” caste. I’m afraid I’m still unable to wrap my head around the “Love Laws” laid out by the society in Roy’s novel. Love doesn’t restrict “who should be loved, and how. And how much.” Love just is. These rules are placed by an unjust society. If you don’t mind my asking, Sue, have you and Jay ever faced any sort of discrimination for being together? (You are most welcome not to answer this question if I’m out of line) I can’t ever recall a time when Franklin and I faced a problem regarding our ethnicities and our relationship. I do recall my mother being nervous about telling my grandparents about the boy I was dating. They are “old school” and may have reacted poorly. But they did not. They took to Franklin immediately. Now my grandmother calls me, asking for her Franklin. Because of reactions like this in my own life, I find it hard to comprehend unaccepted loves like Ammu and Velutha.
The gender inequality in this novel was very blatant (thank goodness I could at least see something!) Chacko is divorced and has sexual relations with many women. Ammu is divorced and has a relationship with a man. For Chacko, it is called “men’s needs” and both his sexual activities and his divorced status are accepted with no prejudice. Ammu, on the other hand, is constantly reminded of her marital status and is shamed for it. In addition her sexual activity gets her thrown out of her family home.
Velutha and Ammu are jointly the god of small things. They are limited to a small piece of happiness. Roy, to me, describes this “god” as one who knows pain and suffering are inevitable. The god of small things savors in the small moments knowing they are fleeting as Ammu and Velutha relish in their limited time together. In addition, they are together the god of loss too. They both lose so much because of their love.
Nancy, I’m working on my introduction for Honolulu. I hope to have it to you shortly. Sue, thank you for your very insightful review. About 9 weeks until we meet this new little person!
Goodness, Katie - nine weeks. That's just two more books. No time at all. I do hope there's lots of time for you to rest. Take great care of yourself - and I hope everyone around you is spoiling you rotten.
ReplyDeleteAnd no evidence of "placenta brain". Loved the comments on sexual inequality.
And no problem asking about discrimination - none experienced so far as we know in the U.K. - though my Mum was really worried about us having children, fearing the child would be subjected to racism. My Dad was convinced I'd be forced to observe religious customs I'd find unacceptable. Given my parents love of Jay, it's strange to look back on these initial responses.
Jay's family were nothing but welcoming. They are from the warrior class, by the way, very upmarket! I did realise they would have been very happy for us to have children, but there was never any pressure. In Singapore, where we were both working in 1988 when we married, the Chinese tended to look down on the Indians, and this was clear to me, for example, in the different responses from waiters in restaurants we went to. Much better service when one was with a white person.
But, as time has gone on, things have certainly improved. We're going to the golf club this evening, and there would have been a time when I might have been apprehensive, but not any more. I suppose we are both of us much more confident now. Discrimination exists - lots of anti-Islam feeling here at the moment, and Jay could easily be assumed to be Muslim. But we'll just have to deal with overt racism if it happens. There are places I would avoid at night - but then there are places all of us would avoid at night.
So, no - as far as we are aware we haven't suffered from serious racism. On the other hand, I have experienced lots of anti-white feeling in different parts of the world - hardly surprising when one's government has had an empire, with all the racism that entails; British tourists are often awful; and our behaviour in Europe dreadful.
The baggage of history!
Again, hope you have lots of opportunity to relax.
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteMany apologies yet again for bringing up the rear in our comments so to speak !!
I seem to be having the same problems receiving my copy of Honolulu and am still anticipating its arrival any day, so I hope my speed reading will be up to your sterling example Sue. haha.
Katie, I was so pleased to read your comment on the symbolism of this very impressive story. While I can't blame placenta brain, maybe I will blame the rapidly dwindling hormones on my part !!!
I resorted to listening to some podcasts of interviews with Arundhati Roy and also read some reviews, happily they provided some useful insights so at least I have something to say.
Firstly, I found I became quite emotionally involved in these stories of many different lives and, in fact put the book down for a week because I was reluctant to read of Velutha's demise. This is not why I am late by the way, I have no excuse for that.
One of the things I found interesting that Roy referenced in her interview was the safety of family or the lack of safety she herself experienced as a child and which permeates the families in the book. I can't really think of any family relationships that truly provided a safe haven. Velutha's father was ready to chop him to pieces for "breaking the laws", Mammachi was a victim of domestic violence, Ammu victimised for her divorce firstly then her affair with Velutha and it goes on and on. It must be a very scary and dangerous world to face when you have no sure footing to rely on. Perhaps that may help to explain some of the horrible that happened.
The other point Roy made in her interview was regarding a question on the sadness of Ammu and Veluth's relationship. her comment was that "for them to even have loved at all in the times this novel is set is a triumph" She saw their relationship as wondrous to have existed at all.
I would like to re read this novel and concentrate on the wonderful language and the fabulousness of this novel. I feel this first time I was so concerned with the character's and their tragedies that I missed much.
I have one nitpick, I didn't like the ending of this story revealed so early, I have found I am a much better reader if I'm not anticipating for events . That's just me and one of my quirks though, certainly doesn't detract from what is a truly great novel.
Thank you both for your wonderful comments they have also helped me to better understand and appreciate this month's choice.
It is wonderful news Katie that your coming so close to meeting your new baby. One of my workmates is 12 weeks pregnant with a tiny tummy I often think of you when we are talking all the exciting "baby talk".
Sue, it is great you have Jay home with you again. It is interesting our parents and grandparents reactions when we have brought home our future husbands. My family wanted to know all about 'the wog' I was dating,[ you really can't get more Australian than Ivars ] but of course when they met him they fell in love with him too. Perhaps, it's just the fear of the unknown and wanting the absolute best for your children that brings on some curious reactions,
I think I liked learning that Sophie Mol was going to die in the beginning of the novel. It keeps readers, like myself, from attaching to the character. Sophie was a sweet girl. She genuinely tried to establish a friendship with her cousins. The rest of the family’s idolatry of her was not her doing; she was merely an average little girl. I could have easily become attached to her and been quite sad when she died. The only thing I didn’t like about knowing Sophie was dead was not knowing right away how she died. Maybe I missed something in the beginning of the novel but I didn’t realize Sophie had drowned until much later in the book.
ReplyDeleteSue, I’ve never heard that British tourists are dreadful. I’ve always heard that most nations don’t like Americans and that WE are the ones who make terrible tourists! Luckily for Nancy, I’ve only heard that Australians are great tourists. But of course there are exceptions to everything you hear. I don’t think Franklin and I were terrible in Greece, haha!
Sue, good luck with the garage/dining room. Nancy, hope the kids are well (and Ivars too)!
Hello again ladies
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the family as not being a safe place is both so true and quite horrifying. I hadn't thought about it. But it certainly contributes a level of meaning to what I thought of as the end of the book: the sexual aspect of the twins' relationship. Their coming together in this way can be seen as a refuge from family - a natural response to their isolation within the family framework and thus from society. Family has made it impossible for them to make relationships beyond it. Another way in which society's laws about who you can love is broken.
I don't think I've expressed that well. There again, I'm writing quickly before the return of the builders. Nice guys, but what a noise!. I do hope they're wearing ear protection stuff, whatever that might be. And the dust . . . I keep giving them tea. Their lungs must be in a dreadful state.
British tourists are renowned in Europe for drunken brawls, arrogance and insistence on everything being British. Sadly true in my experience. We didn't meet any of these in Texas. Perhaps only the nice ones get as far as America. (Such vanity!) I've always found Americans to be sober and polite - and so willing to be impressed by European antiquity that it makes one feel one takes too much for granted. Makes one look again at things.
However, right now, all I have to look at are the holes being made in my hallway walls. I'll go and check the tea caddy.
Love to you both
Sue
Hello ,
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue, even though I bought up the question of safety within the Kochamma family I had not thought of it in relation to the twins love making. I feel I understand now why Roy included this episode in her story, I was a little lost about its relevance before. This book is so amazing,so many ideas and discussion points I find it a little overwhelming.
Hang in there with the reno Sue sometimes it came seem like a never ending story and I know builders love cups of tea and lots of chats !!
On the subject of dodgy tourists, I am sure if you asked a German during Octoberfest or a Bali local their impressions of Aussie tourists their opinions may not be very complimentary !!!! Then again have you ever encounter a group of German tourists at a buffet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would just like to say I found you and your beautiful husbands wonderful ambassadors for your countries while we were together .[ kiss kiss]
My uni brats will be home next week so looking forward to that. Ivars and I have been on the civilised palleo diet [coffee and red wine included, you really can't be too serious about these things] for the past week so patience was frayed while we dealt with our carb cravings, but all good now and feeling heaps more energetic and that is after all what our aim was.
love
Nancy