The book tells a story of an escaped convict from Australia who flees to Bombay, lives in a slum, and eventually joins the Bombay mafia. The plot seems far from the realities of a foreigner living in 80s India, but it becomes plausible as the story progresses.
I was expecting a retelling of Mario Puzo’s Godfather set in Mumbai.
However, there are three aspects that, in my opinion, set it apart -
- Relationships
- Love
- Best Intentions
The relationships between Lind and the people he encounters in his new life are genuine and from the heart - Prabhu, Karla, Khadar Bhai, Abdulla, Ansari, Johny Cigar, Vikram, DDA.
This book is a love letter to Bombay of the 80s, described at great length with genuine fondness.
The book delves into deep philosophy at times - the choice between good and evil - and whether that choice is based on the best intentions.
Moments from the book that stood out to me
The slum
Lind chooses to reside in the slum after losing all his money to theft. This solidifies his friendship with Prabhu and causes him to become the slum doctor.
The Arrest
This was the first pivotal moment in the book. Until this point, the book focused on character development and setting the stage for what was to come. There is only a vague hint of a reason behind Lind’s detention and lack of due process. The need to find out the true motive piqued my interest and made me commit to this book.
Arthur Prison Jail
This is the central jail with the most horrid conditions that Lind has to endure.
Revelations
Khadar Bhai makes several revelations to Lind as they stand on top of a hill with a view of Khandahar.
This is the second pivotal moment in the book, as it puts all the cards on the table. It establishes Karla's role in Lind’s life. It reveals Khadar Bhai's influence on Lind’s trajectory and decisions in Bombay.
The revelations on that hilltop make Lind's blind love and faith in Karla and Khadar Bhai dissolve away.
Letting go
Lind decided not to kill Madame Zhao.
Lind forgives Karla.
Quotes
When we act even with the best of intentions, when we interfere with the world, we always risk a new disaster.. some of the worst wrongs … occurred when people try to change things.
The worst things that people do to us always make us feel ashamed.
Luck is what happens to you when Fate gets tired of waiting
The tendency towards complexity - The universe began from simplicity and is moving towards complexity. This movement is built into the web of the universe
I never knew how much good there was in a person until I owed them more than I could repay
Money only comes in two kinds - yours and mine