The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

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Introduction

The post-independence period in Indian English fiction saw many new writers emerging. Their works focused on social realism. Writers like Bhavani Bhattacharya, Manohar Malgonkar, and Khushwant Singh gained prominence in the 1950s. Women writers also made their mark, including Jhabvala, Kamala Markandaya, Nayantara Sahgal, and Anita Desai. This trend continued, bringing new voices into literature. One of the most remarkable among them is Kiran Desai. Her second novel, The Inheritance of Loss, won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2006. Interestingly, she achieved what her mother, Anita Desai, could not.

Theme

The Inheritance of Loss is a more ambitious novel than Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard. It explores themes like morality, justice, globalization, inequality, immigration, and alienation. The novel highlights the pain of exile and post-colonial struggles. It revolves around the anxiety of being a foreigner. Set against the backdrop of the Gorkha movement in Darjeeling, the story focuses more on the affected people than the movement itself. The novel criticizes capitalism for eroding national and racial identity and questions Western culture. The theme of loss is central to the story—Jemubhai, the judge, loses his place in India, Sai loses her parents and love, and Biju, the cook’s son, loses his identity.

Plot

Kiran Desai is a natural storyteller. The Inheritance of Loss is set in Kalimpong, near the Nepal border, during the 1980s. The story revolves around the impact of the Nepalese uprising on local lives. The central character, Jemubhai, is a retired judge living with his cook and his dog. His orphaned granddaughter, Sai, comes to stay with him, which triggers his memories. Sai falls in love with her tutor, Gyan, but their relationship is strained by the anti-colonial movement. Gyan joins revolutionaries and betrays Sai's family, leading to their home being robbed. Meanwhile, the cook’s son, Biju, struggles as an immigrant in New York, trying to achieve the American Dream. The novel effectively connects broad political themes with personal struggles, with an ongoing sense of looming violence.

Style

Kiran Desai’s writing is praised for its strong plot, rich characters, and expressive language. The Inheritance of Loss features a variety of characters intertwined in a complex story. Many characters experience loneliness as their natural state. Desai blends humor into the novel, often through exaggerated use of the English language. Her writing is fluid, vivid, and filled with sharp wit. She frequently uses multiple question marks and exclamation marks for emphasis. Like Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard, this novel contains rich and sensory descriptions, with an autobiographical touch. Desai has a unique talent for bringing her stories to life.

Conclusion

Kiran Desai is one of the finest novelists of the Indian diaspora. She writes about India with a deep cultural perspective. Her contributions to literature are widely appreciated, bringing not only personal recognition but also pride to India. The Inheritance of Loss establishes her as one of the most insightful contemporary writers.


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