The Man Would Would Not See

by Rajorshi Chakraborti

When family suddenly becomes your greatest challenge, mystery, rediscovery.

As children in Calcutta, Ashim and Abhay made a small mistake that split their family forever. Thirty years later, Ashim has re-entered his brother's life, with blame and retribution on his mind. It seems nothing short of smashing Abhay's happy home will make good the damage from the past.

At least, this is what Abhay and his wife Lena are certain is happening. A brother has travelled all the way from small-town India to New Zealand bearing ancient — and false — grudges, and with the implacable objective of blowing up every part of his younger brother's life. Reconciliation was just a Trojan horse.

But is Ashim really the villain he appears to be, or is there a method to his havoc?

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Frazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing @rajorshichakaborti interview @murdochstephens at the @wellingtonverbfestival. Several of his questions and comments on writing about the everyday I found so perceptive that I immediately ordered this book.

Probably the main take away from both reading Chakraborti and hearing him in person is just how nice a guy he is. Curious, interested, open-minded, self-aware. I've never wanted to like a book so much.

The Man Who Would Not See is a heartwarming story about families, the things that bind them and the things that tear them apart. Set between the Wellington suburb of Karori and India, the book contains at least elements of autofiction, which I think was borne out in its candid and straightforward style.

The narration switched between husband Abhay and wife Lena, through whom we must interpret all the action and other characters. Reading this book felt like sitting in on marital therapy or reading their personal journals, as their love is tested.

Abhay's brother pays a chaotic visit to New Zealand, and seems to be hell-bent on stirring up trouble. Abhay returns to India to reconnect with his estranged family, encountering old ghosts, new joys, and familial secrets. Meanwhile Lena is trying to stop things spiraling out of control at home. Chakraborti really well captures the tensions and sensitivities that can emerge when having guests to stay, not least family.

The book has quite a strong moral sensibility, with themes of responsibility, guilt and redemption all playing out in the central couple's lives. Some nice reflections on the joys of making time to encounter people in all their human fragility and vulnerability, and of giving others (and yourself) the benefit of the doubt.

Cool to discover new Kiwi fiction!

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in my hometown, Wellington, and Indian literature, which I normally enjoy. So I wanted to enjoy this novel.
And the premise was strong; carrying family guilt for decades, and how to prioritise all your family when it divides into multiple branches in different parts of the world.
But I wanted more backstory to the characters. Abhay is defined by the one single childhood incident in the opening pages. We learn nothing of his life since then - why he moved to Scotland and then NZ, why and how he became a writer? And we get even fewer details about the other main character, his wife Lena. How, when and why did the two fall in love? What held them together as a couple before the novel turns the screws on them?
I felt like I needed some of these backstories to justify the increasingly intense way Abhay reacts as the story unfolds.
So, the book nearly worked for me, but it missed the mark.
Also, I found all the Wellington references became a long list of place names with no sense of what they were and why they were important to the story. This was a shame, as it was one of the aspects of the book I was most looking forward too. Perhaps I went in with expectations raised too high in advance?

[Ipshita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had come across Rajorshi into a Wellington city library event on diversity in NZ literature, and had especially enjoyed his poem on a relatively mundane junction in Johnsonville.

I am cognizant I come with a bias as a Kiwi-Bengali sitting in the right target audience spot. The complexity of the Bengali family relationships and yet the endearment in the local context is something I could completely relate to. The clever interplay of perspectives between Abhay and Lena developing the plotline and never hearing from Ashim was both clever and sometimes left me wanting as a reader for the full picture. Ultimately despite the convoluted plot line very much like Bengali relationships, I've found this a rare way of developing a character and relationship which ultimately lands with some realism.

Gripping, though can be confusing to a reader lacking the multi cultural context

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an intriguing book, written with a sense of ominous suspense that kept me turning the pages. It is a family story, an immigrant family story, and there was valuable insight into the challenges, and sometimes the rewards, of changing countries; the largest challenge being the gulf that opens up with your family of origin "back home".
I didn't always like the diary style of the narrative; sometimes it worked but other times it felt laboured and far too self aware and all knowing for a genuine diary entry.
It was great to read a book set in the city where I live, full of familiar places and types of people.

[Varsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story starts off with a chilling narrative, something that makes you want to keep turning pages but mid way of the book the story line gets way too chaotic, super confusing too. The second half was a super slow read. The intricate details describing Kolkata, Wellington and other locations were written amazingly, almost like you were standing in front of Howrah bridge.

[Msdot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the complication of a relationship between two Indian step brothers. It has interesting and promising start, and it continued to be a page turner until the last few chapters. I got lost in it and didn't find as promising and captivating.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, a good dramatic comedic tale about an Indian living in Wellington (I admit I gave half a point for the Welly references). Easy to read, the language was a little dense at times, but the story moved along well. I could see this as a movie.

[Sue Risner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this as I was reading but the ending was very abrupt.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The husband & wife narration was a really good idea. I'm still angry at the husband though. It was lovely seeing Wellington through someone else's eyes, and really interesting the contrast to India.