The novel “Inheritance of loss” is written by Indian contemporary author Kiran Desai and it was originally published on 2006. This is a second book of Kiran Desai; it was written between the years of 1998 and 2006. The novel tells the story of a family.
The Inheritance of Loss By Kiran Desai
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Summary of The Inheritance of Loss By Kiran Desai
The story begins with Grandfather, Jemubhai, and his granddaughter, Sai, who are sitting in a balcony of their home. Jemubhai is a judge, lives with his granddaughter, has one loving dog and one Cook, who has one son, Biju, lives in United States of America. A group of few Nepali Indian boys from Gorkha National Liberation front comes to judge’s house and robs Judge’s guns, humiliating the proud old man. Right after the robbery, Judge send his cook to police station, police come to Judge’s house, but they blame Cook for the robbery.
The story now jumps to a past life of Judge’s granddaughter, Sai, who was 8 years old when she come in her grandfather’s house. She shifts in her grandfather’s house because her parents died in an car accident collided by bus. There she meets her first tutor, Noni, who progressed her in Science and Math so much that she cannot keep up with her anymore. Her grandfather, Jemubhai hires new 20 years old recent graduate, Gyan to teach her further in science and math. As Gyan begins tutoring Sai, they fall in love with each other despite a vast socio-economic divide.
The novel now shift focus to a past life of Judge, Jemubhai. Judge was 20 years old when he left his house to pursue his dream. His dream was to join Indian civil service, he went to Cambridge University after marrying 14 years old girl, Nimi. Judge used to spend almost all his time in studying. With intense hard work and determination he joined Indian Civil service as a Judge. He reunited with his wife, Nimi but always treated her like she was nothing to him.
The story now jumps to a life of Biju, a Cook’s son who lives in United States as an illegal immigrant. It is practically impossible for Biju to get any kind of work apart from low paying restaurant jobs. It is difficult for him to adjust in American Culture. He longs for home, even feel very anxious about his immigration status. Afterwards, Biju got a new job in Bakery where he meet, Saeed, who is also struggling like him.
Biju writes letter to his father constantly where he lies to him about his struggling life in United States. Biju’s father requests him to assist his friends in migrating to US, instructing them to seek out when they arrive in US. On the other side, Biju, who is hardly capable of making ends needs, avoids his father’s request like a plague. One day, Biju decides to return in India. As soon as Biju arrives in India, he was greeted by the sight of roads that have been closed off by the rebel forces. Biju has no choice except to along with GNFL, instead of helping him, they steal all his saving and the gifts he bought from US for his family. They even steal his clothes and garments which he was wearing.
The novel now jump to Present where the Gorkhali begins to escalate and shake up their life. The GNFL is a group of Nepali Indian who are demanding their own land separate from India. Gyan involvement in GNFL harms his relationship with Sai whom he comes to resent for her western practice. Gyan tells GNFL group about the Judge’s gun, inspiring the robbery that starts the book story. Sai and Gyan fight harshly due to their argument on each others culture. Gyan left GNFL and regret breaking faith with her lover, Sai.
The Police officers arrest 2-3 decent people for robbery in Judge’s house and one of those men’s friend steal the beloved dog of Judge. The judge was furious and started beating his cook for his inability to find his loving dog. In this moment someone knock the door, when cook goes and open the door, he saw his loving son, Biju. At the end of story, Biju meets his father and hug him immediately.
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