I never really considered ACs (air conditioners) conducive to creativity. They make me sluggish and uninspired. So does food. I work better when I’m hotter and hungrier.
Hot and hungry — that’s Arundhati Roy for you.
In her latest book, Mother Mary Comes to Me, it becomes plainly clear why she is the way she is. The book begins as both an ode and a requiem to her mother, but quickly transcends into an autobiographical piece. At first, it seems as if Roy is attempting to explain every significant life event, every little action, by tethering her reasons to her mother. But very quickly, she establishes and executes her own “freedom” — both in life and in the book.
I was thankful for that. Many such romantic retellings have the tendency to impinge every little decision and quirk on the subject’s parent. Roy does not. As the reader soon finds, she is far too clever for that. Instead, the common themes that emerge are acceptance, optimism, and moving on. Despite hardships, pain, and the unfairness of this wide, wicked world, she remains optimistic; determined & relentlessly optimistic.
Parts of the book, of course, attempt to explain her actions and opinions. But make no mistake: she does not need to justify anything. Even while giving us a glimpse inside her extraordinary brain and life, she remains unapologetically and unflinchingly herself.
I don’t agree with a lot of her positions, but even her greatest detractors, would concede that — she is a “Gen UUU III NE” woman, without a hint of affectation. Sometimes she comes across as a bit too idealistic, but then every society needs its compass. We should always know what the true North is, we might not proceed in that direction, but we must always know!
A big reason why this book appealed to me and felt unputdownable, was that it underscored how relationships, even parental ones can be so bloody complicated. There’s always ebbs and tides! Some parts of the books are really tough to read. They had me wishing my stars lucky about having a mostly smooth relationship with my parents. Roy on the other hand, is an escape artist, & not by choice!
Despite the emotional skirmishes, the scary scuffles & the apparent acrimony, Roy finds it in herself to be full of warmth, kindness & affection! “Retrospect” is indeed, a man’s best friend, usually it comer far too fucking late, but not in her case!
This was perhaps the biggest takeaway in the entire book.
The chapters chronicling her years of struggle( she’ll always be a struggler ) were the most fun & did a surefire job of pulling my socks up.
Reading about the harsh realities, the best laid plans that unravel, the appearance of unlikely opportunities & the unlikeliest of successes left me feeling incredibly hopeful.
I therefore challenge readers to pick up this book, reflect on their own predicaments, and not come away feeling hopeful. A Roy of hope
I suppose I needed some & I found her, or rather she found me!