THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

The well-written novel offers a glimpse of a poor, modest family in India.

Rukmani begins her narrative describing the love she had for Nathan, her husband.  Others talked of her marrying down, to the poor tenant farmer, but she knew this arranged marriage was one of love.  Their home, a mud, thatched hut, upon first glance, filled her heart with sorrow.  However, after planting  a garden, before long, they feasted on the fruits of her labor. 

Rukmani delivered many children to her husband, but even sons did not keep them from poverty.

Rukmani’s only daughter follows an arranged marriage but is returned to her parents as she failed to provide sons. In an effort to save her family, the daughter resorts to work she hides from her parents, of which they would never approve.

 

A bleak yet realistic view of the status of women, poverty and the class structure in India.