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The Inheritors
Aruna Chakravarti draws upon history and myth, religion and folklore, rituals and culinary practices to create a vivid portrait of a community of Vaidic Kulin Brahmins. The narrative, oscillating back and forth in time, weaves a vibrant tapestry of life - differing ideologies and sensibilities, suicides and desertions, marriages and infidelities, bigotry and liberalism - set in the larger context of a nation's inexorable march towards independence and a soicety caught on the cusp of conservatism and modernity.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 24, 2011
This is one of those books which I wasn't looking for to buy, but loved after reading it. I picked it up at the Landmark sale solely by the virtue of what Gulzar had to say about Aruna Chakravarti's writing on the back-cover of this book. And she didn't disappoint me on that expectation.
This book is about Kulin Brahmins from Bengal and their lifestyles in 19th and early 20th centuries. It's a comment on the social setup of the times through the stories of different characters across generations. So we get to see orthodox Brahmins who'd get their young daughters married to much older men, widow women who go through many hardships and even lose the chance of loving their kids for no fault of theirs, men who were part of freedom struggle, who were led by the dharma they believed in and some who walked on the reforms path led by Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and the Brahmo Samaj of those times.
I like it when authors give us a clear idea of the social setup where the plot is set, and Aruna lives up to that expectation very well.
This book is about Kulin Brahmins from Bengal and their lifestyles in 19th and early 20th centuries. It's a comment on the social setup of the times through the stories of different characters across generations. So we get to see orthodox Brahmins who'd get their young daughters married to much older men, widow women who go through many hardships and even lose the chance of loving their kids for no fault of theirs, men who were part of freedom struggle, who were led by the dharma they believed in and some who walked on the reforms path led by Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and the Brahmo Samaj of those times.
I like it when authors give us a clear idea of the social setup where the plot is set, and Aruna lives up to that expectation very well.
December 14, 2021
A young man of thirty three marries a seven year old bride. That's right , a seven year old. How twisted is this? If you think this is bad wait for this - That child becomes a widow for life at sixteen with two babies already...
Bless all those souls who brought in the laws against child marriages! This is what I felt once I turned to the last page of this book.
The story starts somewhere around the end of 18th century in an old village of Majilpur. The orthodox mindset , harsh societal practices, the meaningless traditions, the worthless marriage customs - My god! My god! My god!
The life of women portrayed right from 1870's till 1940's is nothing short of a hellish curse. The vivid description about the lifestyle of people by the author, brings the 18th century kolkata right in front of our eyes.
As time flies by, we are able to witness the gradual reforms and change in mindset creeping in for the better.
It left with me a heavy heart after reading through. I will definitely need a dose of Wodehouse after this!
But overall well written book, with just one minus for me. I had to refer to the family tree at the start of the book, several times, because there are too many characters and it gets hard to keep track of all of them.
Bless all those souls who brought in the laws against child marriages! This is what I felt once I turned to the last page of this book.
The story starts somewhere around the end of 18th century in an old village of Majilpur. The orthodox mindset , harsh societal practices, the meaningless traditions, the worthless marriage customs - My god! My god! My god!
The life of women portrayed right from 1870's till 1940's is nothing short of a hellish curse. The vivid description about the lifestyle of people by the author, brings the 18th century kolkata right in front of our eyes.
As time flies by, we are able to witness the gradual reforms and change in mindset creeping in for the better.
It left with me a heavy heart after reading through. I will definitely need a dose of Wodehouse after this!
But overall well written book, with just one minus for me. I had to refer to the family tree at the start of the book, several times, because there are too many characters and it gets hard to keep track of all of them.
April 18, 2019
Brilliant!
June 19, 2022
This novel is amazing, depicting the harsh reality of women (widowed and newly wed alike) under the unfair and feudal reigns of the Kulin Brahmins.
Another great Bengali author Sir Sunil Gangopadhay also praised and recommended this novel.
Another great Bengali author Sir Sunil Gangopadhay also praised and recommended this novel.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews