- A novel review by Rimi Chatherjee on India Today
Historical fiction demands both scholarly rigor and imaginative flair, and Brinda Charry’s The East Indian: A Novel (HarperCollins India) exemplifies this balance. Charry excels in historical accuracy but opts for a more conventional approach to the narrative.
The novel follows Tony, an ‘East Indian’ who arrives at Jamestown in 1635, a decade after the first African slaves and years following the Jamestown massacre. Tony’s status—caught between slave and servant—reflects the blurry lines of colonial society, adding depth to his struggle as he navigates this uncertain world.
Charry’s storytelling begins with Tony’s arrival and a dark event—the hanging of a dark-skinned witch on his ship. This sets a somber tone as Tony reflects on his journey from Mylapore to Virginia, traversing London along the way. In Jamestown, he faces hardship, danger, and prejudice, yet his resilience helps him build a new life with a family and career.
While Charry’s portrayal of race and colonial life is authentic, it lacks the profound emotional impact seen in other works like those of Toni Morrison. The novel offers a solid, engaging read without delving deeply into polemical issues or emotional intensity.
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