|
 A Fine Balance is set in India from 1975-85. These are the only facts the reader knows as Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year author, Rohinton Mistry gives a glimpse of life inherent in the caste system of India. Mistry's story pricks the conscience because it relates to poverty created by one caste's subjugation of the caste below or, applied to the culture of the US, the haves upon the have-nots.
Mistry poses the possibility of raising oneself to a higher caste through the life of Dukhi, a lowly Chamaar or tanner of cow hides. Because the Sacred Cow of India must be dead beyond a doubt, the Chamaars are often called to skin an animal and scrape the hide after the cow is decaying.
Through a serendipitous meeting with his Muslim friend, Ashraf, Dukhi leaves the village of his Chamaar ancestors and becomes a tailor. The story twists and turns about the lives of Dina Aunty, a Muslim equivalent of a middle caste woman of India and the wealthy Hindu student, Maneck Kohlah plus the people in Dukhi's family.
The subplot is about pavement dwellers who live in gutter filth to schemers who bleed the next lower cast of any meager advantage. But the story is not always harsh or melancholy especially when we hear Ishvar and Omprakash, Dukhi's son and grandson discuss Indian politics with Maneck at the Vishram Hotel lunch counter. They often close their conversation with "that's from a champion fakeologist" to "that's bilkool correct." Intrigue is watching how these characters' lives sadly dissolve under the directives of the upper castes.
|
