It is impossible at first to confirm the thing or thing's identity. The Tamil Nadu sun, true to its savage reputation, renders familiar people, even members of one's own family, as unrecognizable as total strangers. The quasi-human shapes move in a kind of undulating fashion along one bank of the sacred Cauvery River, appearing then disappearing in the piercing glare. When the dust parts, softened momentarily by obscuring clouds, it reveals not one being but two.
Modestly dressed and delicately mannered, Sakthi and Amala Pallan crouch by a narrow flow of water, bend their long necks in unison over their work...
***
House Boy is a contemporary thriller set in Southern India and in the polite suburb of Hendon, North London.
At 321 Finchley Lane, ancient traditions take root and prosper in our so-called civilized society. The lives of a boy from rural India, Vijay Pallan, and an Indo-British woman and her son, Binda and Ravi Tagorstani, collide as if decreed by history. Through Vijay, we experience the shocking realities of modern slavery, the human spirit's boundless capacity for pain, and the ultimate blessing of one young man's redemption and survival.
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Today concludes my ten year blog anniversary celebrations, and I am finishing with another of my favourites of the decade. Today I am publishing my favourite read from 2022 and it was originally posted on 4th July of that year. This is an outstanding book and it has remained with me ever since I read it.
I have updated the review a little so there is more information about the book and the author but essentially the review is as it appeared that day.
I rarely use terms such as 'unputdownable' in my reviews but on this occasion it is the perfect adjective to describe this book. It is hugely powerful, and I can confidently say that it is the best book that I have read this year.
I devoured it over the course of a weekend and made the big mistake of finishing it in bed one night as I could not get to sleep afterwards. There was so much to process, and aspects of the story were going through my mind for ages.
Through the narrative the author provides a good explanation of the Indian caste system and the main character, Vijay, is a wonderful creation. There were many times that I could have cried at the harsh treatment he is forced to endure.
To the reader it quickly becomes apparent that Vijay is being recruited into human trafficking, and I wanted to shout at the book to warn him. His naivety was understandable, and the author did an excellent job in portraying how easily he was lured into becoming a victim of trafficking and exploitation.
Whilst the book delves into some challenging issues that did not make for comfortable reading, it is ultimately a story of hope and is one that I can envisage reading again as well as purchasing for friends and family.
As a film director, Mr. DeStefano has imbued this novel with a cinematic feel through vivid imagery of Vijay's world. According to IMDB it is in development to be turned into a screen play.
This is his debut novel and I hope he will produce more fiction. He is an excellent storyteller and has written a book which is thought-provoking and powerful and which I think everyone should read.
ISBN: 978 1639882434
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Formats: e-book and paperback
No. of Pages: 310 (paperback)
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