Re: The Roots

This is probably the author’s best book. I have read two more and found this one to be the simplest in execution and plot structuring, but far more complex in the depiction of the characters which is layered and deep. The story is simple and yet poignant. Ron Brown is the son of an English father and an Indian mother. Set in the days of the British Raj, moving on to the post colonial times when the British community left India after the partition, the background is intricately woven with descriptions of Indian Royalty and the rich and the famous. The author has beautifully brought out the flavours and textures of the Raj, the lifestyles and the underlying intrigue and mystery of a tumultuous era that shaped the country and the lives of many people.

Ron Brown is a simple young man, living in London whose father died when Ron was a young child. The story unfolds from Ron’s discovery of his father’s personal diaries and how it changes Ron’s life forever. The revelation from the diaries leads him to a lost sibling in India. The entire story revolves around how the momentous discovery changes him as a person, bringing pure, unabashed love (like a burst of radiant sunlight) into his life and then how it is wrenched away from him by unforeseen circumstances.

Every scene, every subtle nuance in the story was overwhelming to say the least. I wept with Ron for his loss, for he was such a beautiful person with so much love and simplicity in his heart. He was more his mother’s son and it was evident in all the decisions he took. He was soft-hearted but courageous enough to follow that heart. That he loved his errant, shallow and disloyal father in spite of his indiscretions was unusual. Ron’s futile search for any mention of his mother and himself in the diary was heartbreaking. And yet, to love that father who spent most of his time in selfish pursuits and illicit relationships would have been impossible for any son. But Ron was more forgiving than I could ever be. Perhaps he, like everyone else, merely wanted someone to love?

He was prudent and wise when he let go of that forbidden love that nearly tore him apart. His faith in humanity never gets shaken even when he goes through so many misfortunes including death threats.

It was a relief when he does find love in the end. I loved Zovita a tad bit more than Ron’s first love Sheena. Both the characters are distinctly different and beautifully portrayed. Sheena is like a rippling brook that trips down a mountain and Zovita is as deep as the sea, full of forgiveness and love; a perfect match to Ron. Both the women underline the predominant theme of the story that it is possible to love two people at the same time.

The author has brought out different shades of womanhood and human nature in his various female characters. From Ron’s mother Sheila, a strong but gentle woman, to Zovita, who is sensitive and empathetic. Sheena who is young and impetuous, but fiercely loyal and her final metamorphosis into a cynical woman of the world. Then there is Jessica, a voracious man-eater, and Miss Jones, the wise woman who guides Ron in his difficult times.

The lighter moments in the story are provided by Ron’s wicked, overbearing, crass, best friend, Chris. He was irrepressibly witty and quite free with his appalling golf puns and innuendos. I know nothing about golf so I had to go back a few times to understand the double entendres which had me laughing.

The character of Mrs. Singh was a bit unconvincing. She comes across as a strong, loving mother to Sheena in the beginning, but suddenly succumbs to greed, displaying considerable moral weakening in the end. It was a little unbelievable. So was Jai the goon. He was too filmy for my taste.

Overall a very beautiful story!