Kiran Desai's award-winning novel "The Inheritance of Loss"
takes readers on a literary journey that explores various themes such as
globalization, multiculturalism, inequality, and the different forms of
love. The story is set in a Himalayan town in India and New York in the
mid-1980s and follows the lives of Jemubhai Popatial, his orphaned
granddaughter Sai, his cook, and his Nepalese tutor Gyan.
Desai's individualistic style of weaving her characters into flashbacks and
constantly introducing minor characters makes it difficult for readers to
engage with them, and they need to concentrate to keep track of the plot.
However, the pace is fairly fast, and the book is beautifully written, with
every word carefully selected to give the text an overall thoughtful and
thorough description.
Desai's ability to write thought-provoking lines at the end of each chapter
allows readers to pause and think about the implications before proceeding
with the text. Through her writing, she conveys a message to the readers
about the importance of things in life and tells us not to overlook the
simple implications of life.
While the novel may be challenging for some readers due to its intricate
plot and heavy emphasis on description, the teenage readers can look through
the eyes of the 16-year-old heroine, Sai. The introspective teenagers can
comprehend the complexities of adulthood and an unequal borderless world
that is constantly "shrinking".
In conclusion, "The Inheritance of Loss" is a multicultural literary journey
that takes readers on a universal trait that explores various themes
relevant to our society today. Desai's ability to capture the complexities
of life and convey them through her writing makes this novel a must-read for
those who enjoy serious and thought-provoking literature. |