Dipped in the essence of Kanchenjunga and the flavor of tea, timber, tourism, “The Inheritance Of Loss” by Kiran Desai, takes the readers through a downpour of hate, resent, and resilience in the beginning. As the narrative flows through the bylanes of Kalimpong, Sai, the granddaughter of an agnostic judge, arrives amidst his already shaken world. The judge’s cook takes her in, without being aware that she would become such an important part of their lives. Cook’s son Biju, who had gone to the United States of America, was always unsure of what he was doing in the foreign land, and it was so hard there, yet so many were there.
The horrifying times when Kalimpong transformed into a ghost town, with the cry of creating a Gorkhaland, Sai, who had started becoming aware of her good looks, felt a mix of love and infatuation for her math tutor, Gyan. Gyan, who came from a humble background, needed money and agreed to tutor Sai. However, things changed rapidly as he became involved in the Gorkha movement. Gradually, he grew resentful of Sai’s westernized lifestyle and began questioning his own identity and aspirations. Yet, despite his anger and confusion, he could not completely suppress his feelings for her.
Sai realized her dignity was not worth losing to a bastard like him, and she began questioning herself and her identity. She wanted to counterattack Gyan and decided to look for him. Gyan’s house was in no match with his looks, his talks, his clothes or anything associated with him. Sai felt shame for him. Gyan, on the other hand, also felt guilty of causing pain to Sai and harming her.
Meanwhile, cook began to believe that Biju, his son, didn’t exist, and he was just a distant dream. He felt he was a bad person, who couldn’t take proper care of judge and his dog Mutt, who was lost. He wanted himself to be punished to death and asked the judge to do so. Alas! Life had other plans. Instead, he was greeted by Biju at the door, calling him “Pitaji.”
While the narrative is intense, it makes the readers think about what we really wish to have in life, which makes us happy. Is it money? Is it fame? Is it love?
In the end, all that matters is to have a strong belief in yourself. Everything else is a lie!
About the Reviewer
Sonal Agrawal is an educationist, storyteller, and published author who blends real-world experiences with heartfelt imagination. Born and brought up in Kolkata, she has spent years shaping young minds as an early childhood educator, trainer, and academic leader. Her debut novel, The Grass Is Greener on My Side, reflects her flair for writing modern, light-hearted tales that resonate with today’s readers. Passionate about creativity and human emotions, Sonal draws inspiration from everyday life, the cities she has lived in, and the people she meets. Her work captures ambition, relationships, and the journey of discovering oneself with honesty and warmth.
