Mr. Khan presents the reader with a thought-provoking dilemma in the opening pages of this novel. In the immediate aftermath of India’s independence from the colonial rule of the British, can a white British man get justice from an Indian court?
This dilemma – justice for the hated former colonial overlords – is at the heart of the book, as Persis Wadia, the first policewoman in the Bombay force, is tasked with having another look at a case which has been tried and judged.
A white man, who protests his innocence, is about to hang for the murder of an Indian lawyer.
What makes this story so fascinating is that Persis, an intelligent, fair-minded young woman, takes a dislike to the powerful father of the condemned man, while believing in the latter’s proclaimed innocence. Whatever her feelings about the colonial rule of the British, she is opened-minded, and dedicated to her profession – despite the continuing hostility of some of her colleagues.
James Whitby, the condemned man, was born and brought up in India, which he regards as his home – yet to other Indians he is perceived to be an outsider.
“During my trial, the racial question dominated everything. Being British – and Charles Whitby’s son – it’s like the mark of Cain. But the hell of it is, they expect me to understand, as if, somehow, by convicting me, they’re balancing out the worst excesses of the Raj.”
This book has a lot of action centred on the criminal underworld, and a whole lot more violence and derring-do than earlier books. This is 1950 and post-independence India is flexing her new muscles, settling into her new destiny, politicians and criminals are sizing each other up for their mutual advantage, and the fate of one white man is – in the greater scheme of things – of little interest to anybody. Except to James, and his unlikeable, but still very influential father. And inspector Wadia.
I enjoyed the book, as I have all the earlier books in this series, but I do have a couple of caveats. I felt that Mr. Khan used way too many metaphors and similes, over-embellishing every description. His writing is powerful enough not to need any stylistic over-egging.
Also, I wish the action could’ve stayed in and around Bombay, rather than centring on Calcutta and the Sunderbans. I have absolutely nothing against either Calcutta or the Sunderbans (been lucky enough to visit both and love both) but I much prefer Persis in Bombay, rather than navigating smart parties in Calcutta. I like her in her natural habitat.
Despite the above, a fun read, and highly recommended.
And in conclusion, what can one say about Persis? She is fearless, headstrong, principled and an absolute joy. I love her. A brilliant character.
If you feel like ordering the book, here’s a link to Amazon for you.