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A review by vaishsviews
Death of a Lesser God by Vaseem Khan
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely adore Vaseem Khan’s writing and I eagerly await each new release of the Malabar House series. I truly hope this series never ends.
Bombay, 1950. James Whitby is due to be hung for the murder of an esteemed Muslim lawyer, Fareed Mazumdar. Days from the execution, Whitby’s father intervenes and forces the case to re-open - it has been allocated to none other than Persis Wadia. Re-opening the case creates a whole host of problems and is full of contentions between the British elite still remaining in India and the Indian natives trying to make a name for themselves in the absence of the British but Persis has a job to do. It comes to light that there is a link with a previous case: a brutal murder in Calcutta during 1946. It’s up to Persis to find the missing link, if there is one, and save a wrongful man from being hung.
At this point in the series, we are very well acquainted with Persis and the contempt she faces on a daily basis for doing her job and existing. I think she grew so much in this book as she was forced to face not only her demons but was also responsible for those close to her who she’d put in harms way. The nature of her job is dangerous, particularly in post-independence India, where political and cultural tensions are rife but she never lets this get in the way of finding the truth and getting to the bottom of every case. Her own colleagues may not believe in her but her work speaks for herself and I enjoy watching her solve crimes and unpack all the key facts.
There’s something to be said for who decides who gets to belong and this is at the forefront of this novel. Whitby is a white man who was born in India but his fellow Indians don’t claim him and instead, want to see him punished for the all the crimes his father and his ancestors inflicted on India during the period of the Raj. I was fascinated to watch this particular facet of the story unfold and I think it’s something that will stay with me.
There’s just something about Khan’s writing that draws you in immediately. I never struggle to get to grips with the story but rather, I struggle to put it down. His writing is rich with history and political narratives that weave fiction and non-fiction into a mere 400 pages - it’s incredibly impressive and never feels like a bore. The history is never varnished which provides a clearer picture of post-Raj life in both Calcutta and Bombay.
The history of India and British colonialism is one close to my heart and I believe that Khan does it justice, with every instalment of this series. I learn so much but also it’s a chance for me to consolidate my knowledge whilst reading about the first female policewoman in post-independence India and the challenges of the country and of own main character, Persis.
Bombay, 1950. James Whitby is due to be hung for the murder of an esteemed Muslim lawyer, Fareed Mazumdar. Days from the execution, Whitby’s father intervenes and forces the case to re-open - it has been allocated to none other than Persis Wadia. Re-opening the case creates a whole host of problems and is full of contentions between the British elite still remaining in India and the Indian natives trying to make a name for themselves in the absence of the British but Persis has a job to do. It comes to light that there is a link with a previous case: a brutal murder in Calcutta during 1946. It’s up to Persis to find the missing link, if there is one, and save a wrongful man from being hung.
At this point in the series, we are very well acquainted with Persis and the contempt she faces on a daily basis for doing her job and existing. I think she grew so much in this book as she was forced to face not only her demons but was also responsible for those close to her who she’d put in harms way. The nature of her job is dangerous, particularly in post-independence India, where political and cultural tensions are rife but she never lets this get in the way of finding the truth and getting to the bottom of every case. Her own colleagues may not believe in her but her work speaks for herself and I enjoy watching her solve crimes and unpack all the key facts.
There’s something to be said for who decides who gets to belong and this is at the forefront of this novel. Whitby is a white man who was born in India but his fellow Indians don’t claim him and instead, want to see him punished for the all the crimes his father and his ancestors inflicted on India during the period of the Raj. I was fascinated to watch this particular facet of the story unfold and I think it’s something that will stay with me.
There’s just something about Khan’s writing that draws you in immediately. I never struggle to get to grips with the story but rather, I struggle to put it down. His writing is rich with history and political narratives that weave fiction and non-fiction into a mere 400 pages - it’s incredibly impressive and never feels like a bore. The history is never varnished which provides a clearer picture of post-Raj life in both Calcutta and Bombay.
The history of India and British colonialism is one close to my heart and I believe that Khan does it justice, with every instalment of this series. I learn so much but also it’s a chance for me to consolidate my knowledge whilst reading about the first female policewoman in post-independence India and the challenges of the country and of own main character, Persis.