The God Of Small Thing

‘They all broke the rules. They all crossed into forbidden territory. They all tampered with the laws that lay down who should be loved, and how. And how much.’ These poignant words set the stage for the tale of Rahel and Estha, twins navigating their upbringing surrounded by the aromatic chaos of banana jam vats and peppercorns in their blind grandmother's factory amidst the political unrest of Kerala. Their childhood, crafted from a mere sliver of innocence, unfolds under the looming shadow of their dysfunctional family. Among them are their isolated yet enchanting mother, their adored Uncle Chacko—who juggles roles as a pickle mogul, ardent Marxist, and playful mischief-maker—and their perpetual antagonist, Baby Kochamma, an ex-nun and reigning grand-aunt. Arundhati Roy’s novel, a masterpiece that claimed the Booker Prize, captivated readers in the 1990s with its deep-seated anguish interwoven with humor and whimsy.