I am always thrilled when I stumble upon a book that really stands out as a magnificent read! Several weeks ago, while browsing the new release books at my library, I noticed Thrity Umrigar's The Weight of Heaven. What a powerful, insightful, and absorbing book this turned out to be.
Frank and Ellie Benton are reeling from the sudden death of their only son, seven-year-old Benny. With this one swift event, their lives are altered beyond measure and a once happy union becomes a splintered existence, fraught with doubt, blame, and insufferable memories. When, after four months and no change in the level of difficulty in dealing with a past they cannot reclaim, Frank is offered a transfer to head up a factory in Girbaug, India, they believe this will be the best course of action to move out of the realm of grief and into a neutral space. What they don't realize is how powerful India will be in fleshing out their dichotomous reactions to their son's death.
Ellie begins to feel right at home in this new land and seeks to assist others. When her husband befriends Ramesh, the son of their hired servants, it seems he is also attempting to benefit others (a bright boy who might not have the right opportunities presented without the intervention of this American couple). The boy's mother is eager to accept the American's help, but Ramesh's father feels threatened by Frank's level of concern and affection. Sometimes, the best of intentions can spiral into something bigger than anticipated.
The author has done a stunning job in creating solid, believable characters caught in a tailspin caused by one bacterial infection (I believe it must have been meningitis, although I don't think it was stated outright). Not only that, she has placed these real characters in a vivid landscape and does a splendid job of portraying the clashes which occur between American and Indian mindsets. As I was reading, I found myself wondering how the author, who is Indian, managed to get inside American perspectives so clearly when it came to reactions to Indians and the Indian culture. Then, I discovered that she lived her first 21 years in Bombay, but has spent the rest of her life living here in the States.
The death of a child is an insurmountable blow to recover from. The author demonstrates great wisdom and understanding as she reveals how the same blow can result in two separate responses and how a host of factors (family background, previous losses, etc.) all play out. Although, I had to pause to take in the time shifts, I felt that their placements were effective (allowing the reader first, to take in the devastating tragedy, and the new life in India, then to go back and discover how the couple met and married, and finally to return to the narrative in India for the climax and resolution of the story).
Moreover, the author incorporated a deeper level of interest than merely the human relationships evolving on the heels of death. The factory Frank is leading is called Herbal Solutions. His American employers had purchased property and trees from the Indian government when they discovered that the leaves of the trees contained a special ingredient which could be used to treat diabetes. The local people had long made their living from these trees. Thus, the added tensions of local rights versus international rights adds a further dimension to the stresses Frank is facing. And yet, through it all, the author remains true to the characters. While bringing up ethical questions of cultural significance, she weaves arguments and perspectives into the story, without preaching or taking sides.
This book boasts well-drawn characters, a vivid and dynamic setting, a finely tuned plot, a breathtaking peak with the climax of the story and well ... a lot to think about. I can easily see this novel appearing on the screen someday. Unfortunately, most of the time, movies can never match the brilliance of the actual book. I will certainly look for more books by this author.
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