The White Lotus by Aditi Krishnakumar | Murder Mystery Set In 1901 Tamil Nadu | Young Adult
My take on the book:
Arali got married to Sundaram when she was six and he was nine; as their parents decided that Aru will move to her husband’s house a few years later, once they have grownup, Aru was living at her parent’s house occasionally meeting her husband. In January 1901, fourteen-year-old Aru was excited as she prepared to finally move to her husband’s house.
But fate had different plans — her husband was found dead on the temple steps the same day, where he worked as assistant to the accountant; Sundaram was speculated to be drunk when he slipped on the steps amidst heavy rain. Few months later, there were also rumors that Sundaram had stolen the goddess’s necklace after replacing the original with a replica. While Arali struggled to accept her fate as a young widow, a future that only meant treated as a burden to her family, Sundaram’s family suffered the shame of their dead son branded a thief.
When the Mirazdar’s son and daughter invited Arali to their house, to take care of their grandmother, along with offering Arali opportunity to study, so that she could take up a job, Arali readily moved to the Mirazdar’s house. Soon, Arali stumbled on info that her husband’s death was a murder and she teams with the cow herd Balu to find the truth. Will Arali be able to find the truth behind her husband’s death forms the rest of the story.
Set in 1901 rural Tamilnadu, the story narrates the life of a teenage girl who had dreams of a normal, happy married life which was tragically shattered in a moment. As Arali accepted her fate and tried to make best of the opportunity to study further and grab a job, hints about her husband’s death force her to follow the clues to unearth the truth.
The story details the societal norms in early twentieth century, especially in rural India and the reader will be fascinated to know how much life changed in over a century. The author combines a murder mystery with life of a young widow to weave a narrative which keeps the reader guessing all through about the murderer’s identity, while also cheering for Aaru to be fearless and independent.
The author sensibly showcases how life in those times for a woman even as young as Aarali was tied to her marital status and how her parents, in-laws, siblings, neighbours — everyone measured her worth once she was a widow, how her presence was termed unlucky. The story in parallel also narrates about Aarli’s grit and resilience in the darkest moments, when the whole world was against her, thus delivering a strong message of how irrespective of gender, circumstances or societal boundaries we can achieve anything we are passionate of.
All the characters are designed realistically by the author as they display a myriad range of flaws and strengths. While Arali gets the best of the lot, Ambujam, Ranga, Balu — all the characters get ample space but the most impressive for me is Periyamma, the forever wise old woman who gave Arali the best advise which is unintentionally amusing at times. While the book is meant for young adults, it is perfect for all age groups.
A historical fiction and a murder mystery, The White Lotus is the must read book of this year.
My rating:
5/5.