I just finished reading 'The Toss of a Lemon' by Padma Vishwanathan. 600 pages in about 10hrs. A marathon reading session. The book describes very elaborately the complex caste system as it existed in Tamil brahmin society from 1896 on. Very strangely, the book seems not to have had much of an emotional impact on me. Or I do not know if it was because of the particular mood I was in. Because I still havent had the guts to finish 'Family Matters'. I am too scared to find out what happens to poor old Nariman.
Maybe it has also to do with the settings of the characters. Sivakami, the matriarch does not want for anything materially in contrast to Nariman's near penurious state. I guess '.. Lemon' was also predictable in large parts. Even the writing style could have been better. In many parts, Vishwanathan simply rattles off details in a very monotonous tone. There were very descriptive bits I skimmed through. I guess I am just upset because after 600 pages, I still don't feel anything for the characters. Or maybe I should wait a day to ruminate over the book and then write about it again.