Lakshmi Persaud Knihy

In a collapsing Caribbean island, President Robert Augustus Devonish grapples with his legacy while Kamilia leads a workers' uprising against his oppressive regime. Vasu investigates chilling rumors in a remote commune, while Marguerite faces a moral dilemma between familial loyalty and national duty. Lakshmi Persaud's novel explores the intricate dynamics of ethnic prejudice and moral responsibility through diverse voices, illustrating the resilience of humanity amid despair and conflict. The narrative resonates with broader themes of power and primal instincts, reflecting on the human condition.

Set in Trinidad and Canada in the 1950s, this moving and tender love story evokes a memorable portrayal of a brave young woman’s struggle between the traditional, collective Hindu society of her parents and her generation's world of individual destiny and responsibility. The village pundit warns Sastra's mother that her daughter's birth signs foretell two possible karmas: one of prosperous security if she keeps to the well-tried path of obedience to tradition, the other of mixed joy and misery if she should attempt to “fly” and follow her own desires. As Sastra finds herself faced with choosing between these two destinies, the novel explores the interaction between accidents and human responsibility, convention and change, and the problematic workings of fate.

Amidst the turmoil of an impending arranged marriage, Vasti grapples with the horrifying revelation that her fiancé is her childhood assailant. Faced with the choice of challenging societal norms or conforming to tradition, she collapses and dreams of the tragic fate of three wives of an 18th-century Indian king, who are preparing for suttee. This parallel narrative explores themes of oppression, female agency, and the haunting legacy of tradition across cultures and centuries.

The narrative explores the contrasting lives of sisters Ishani and Amira, highlighting the complexities of migration and familial bonds. Ishani remains in Trinidad, managing the family business with a blend of charm and cunning, while Amira embarks on a new life in England. Their differing paths illuminate themes of ambition, identity, and the emotional toll of separation, as Ishani seeks to maintain her influence despite the distance. The story delves into the struggles and resilience of a family navigating the challenges of change.

From early in her life, Kamla is surprised by a contrary inner voice which frequently gainsays the wisdom of her elders and betters. But Kamla is growing up in a traditional Hindu community and attending schools in colonial Trinidad where rote learning is still the order of the day. She learns that this voice creates nothing but trouble and silences it. In this book, the voice is freed.