Het huis van de blauwe mango's

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A memorable experience awaits readers of David Davidar's novel, which intricately weaves multiple narratives set in the coastal village of Chevathar, India. Following three generations of a family, the story centers on patriarch Solomon, who struggles to maintain balance amid rising caste conflicts. His sons navigate triumphs and disasters during India's fight for independence, while his grandson embarks on his own quest for freedom. The characters are vividly portrayed, and the author captures a Tolstoyan breadth, exploring a spectrum of heroes, rogues, clans, and dynasties, revealing both beauty and ugliness. The narrative oscillates between measured and frantic, intertwining themes of assassination, passionate affairs, exorcisms, and beggars' banquets. Influenced by India's great epics, the story also celebrates the everyday, from crafting the perfect cup of tea to preparing a delicious biryani. Alongside the protagonists' struggles, the novel examines the strategies of Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill, highlighting the role of English memsahibs in the decline of the Raj. The mangoes of India serve as a potent symbol, embodying the rich, ripe essence of this engaging and unique tale.