"The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai is set in Kalimpong, India, during the 1980s. The story follows different characters whose lives are shaped by historical and political events. It unfolds in two places: Kalimpong, a small town in the Himalayas, and New York City.
In Kalimpong, retired judge Jemubhai Patel lives with his granddaughter Sai. Their quiet life is disrupted by political unrest and the Nepalese Gorkhaland movement. Gyan, a Nepali tutor, arrives and falls in love with Sai, causing tension between locals and the Gorkha community. Meanwhile, in New York City, Biju, Jemubhai’s cook’s son and an illegal immigrant, struggles to survive while supporting his family in India.
The novel explores themes of identity, cultural alienation, and the lasting impacts of colonialism through these characters' interconnected lives. The title, "The Inheritance of Loss," reflects the main theme of the book—loss of identity, home, love, and dreams. The novel’s strength lies in its deeply developed characters, each with human flaws that make them relatable. Desai portrays their complexities so readers can understand their decisions and actions, even when they are morally unclear.
Desai’s writing is poetic, vividly describing the landscapes of the Himalayas and the urban scenes of America. She weaves multiple storylines together against the backdrop of significant social and political changes.
While the book is commendable in its exploration of culture, its complex characters, and interconnected plotlines, some readers might find its slow pace and ambitious storytelling challenging at first, until one settles into the pace of the story.
