| This is the story of Rukmani, written from her perspective as a woman in India. As the youngest daughter, Rukmani has little dowry, and must make what her parents consider to be a poor match. Her husband is a peasant, Nathan, but Rukmani considers herself lucky because he turns out to be a very loving man. She befriends her neighbors, although their relationships are fraught with jealousy and therefore complicated. With Nathan she has one daughter, Ira, but no luck bearing more children. When she goes to an English doctor, Kenny, for help, she and Nathan are finally able to have many sons.
This book includes painful descriptions of the family's very severe poverty. One of Rukmani's sons dies of hunger, and her daughter is forced into prostitution. At the same time, an English tanning company has made its way into the village, and Rukmani is losing sons to its workforce. The book provides a startling account of a family's desperate struggle but is ultimately a hopeful tale. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Ethnic/Regional/Religion Poverty, surviving Yes Kind of living: - general poverty story - making "Ends Meat" by prostitution Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - natural phenomena Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 () Farm/Ranch? Yes Farm/Ranch: - farm - lot of descript of crop raising Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only Amount of dialog - little dialog |
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