The God of Small Things (Toronto: Random House, 1997) by Arundhati Roy was the book we read for August. Set in the town of Ayemenem in Kerala, the story revolves around 'two-egg twins' Rahel and Estha, who share a deep emotional connection that depends unexpectedly as they age. Their mother Ammu, lonely and tormented by an abusive childhood that leaves a wild streak in her, raises the children alone after fleeing her marriage to an alcoholic husband. Forced to return to her mother Mammachi's home, Ammu incurs scorn and shame not only from her but also from the ruthless Baby Kochamma, the children's grand-aunt. Blind, violin-playing Mammachi endured years of abuse by her late husband, Pappachi, an entomologist whose spirit lingers in the Ayemenem House. Baby Kochamma's vileness stems from her undying, unrequited love of a Catholic priest. The children's uncle Chacko, Oxford-educated and head of his mother's pickle business, loves them but yearns for his English ex-wife Margaret Kochamma and daughter Sophie Mol. His elation at their decision to visit India is quickly snuffed out by the death of Sophie Mol, a profound loss that places Ammu at the centre of Chacko's wrath. Around the time of this visit, young Estha is sexually abused by a stranger, the consequences of which reverberate throughout the novel. Velutha, an Untouchable who is a talented carpentar and a radical Marxist, is adored by the children. Mammachi and Baby Kochamma, on the other hand, are staunch adherents to the caste system and keep Velutha at a safe distance. This delicate power dynamic is shattered when Ammu's taboo-breaking love affair with Velutha is revealed. The family unleashes their fury at Ammu, leading to swift and heavy-handed action by the Keralan police and immeasurable sadness for her and the twins. The devastating impact of abuse, caste divisions and pride leave an indelible imprint on the characters' lives, forcing them to cope with penetrating feelings of pain, loss and remorse.

Our discussion began with the frustrations many had with Roy's style of writing. It was difficult to engage with and left some feeling alienated from the author. Nevertheless, the book provided many topics that resulted in a lively discussion. We even had one convert by the end of it! The issue of caste was a key theme we delved into. Roy's exploration of India's well-ingrained caste system generated heated debate. The role of caste issues among South Asian and West Indian Canadians also elicited a strong reaction. Religion was also discussed. Hinduism and Christianity are the two major religions that Roy focuses on. We talked about the intersection of caste and religion. While some understood the importance of the divisions, others felt that they were hard to understand given the realities of life in Canada. Skin colour as a social divider was explored. In the novel, skin colour signified status, worth and the amount of love one deserved. We also talked about the obsession of whiteness in South Asian societies as well as among our diaspora communities. Sexual abuse, domestic violence and incest, all ultra-taboo topics despite their widespread prevalence, is tackled in the book. Roy illuminates the destructive effects of these forms of abuse on families, children and dignity. We discussed the ubiquity of abuse within South Asian communities and the life-long consequences it has. The impact of colonization on the psyche of the colonized was examined. Roy's powerful and critical insight into the topic brought out a lot of strong opinions. In the end, most people felt that although Roy's writing was difficult to penetrate, the issues she took on were important to us as South Asian Canadians.

Our next meeting will be held on September 10th. We will discuss Anita Rau Badami's Can You Hear the Nightbird Call?