Family Matters a book by Rohinton Mistry is a honest portrayal of the plights the average middle class man faces in the Indian society. The book comprises of various vivid characters, each character portraying various human attributes albeit positive/negative.
Mainly based on the life of a 79 year old parsi widower Nariman Vakeel. This book reflects upon the trials and tribulations faced by Nariman Vakeel and his immediate family when he is beseeched with parkinson’s disease coupled with old age and a fractured leg.
MAIN CHARACTERS-
Nariman Vakeel-A 79 year old parsi widower staying in a 7 room apartment at Chateau Felicity with his 2 step children. Suffers from parkinson’s disease.
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Coomy Contractor-A self proclaimed patriarch of the Vakeel household. The step daughter of Nariman Vakeel. The proverbial “old maid”.
Blames all the wrongs of her life on her step father and half sister Roxanna.
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Jal Contractor-A bachelor at 45, he is the pale shadow of his otherwise highly intimidating younger sister Coomy. Suffers from a hearing disorder and has low self esteem issues.
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Roxanna-A doting wife and mother, lives in a 2 room apartment gifted by her father at Pleasant Villa. A housewife to the core. She deals with the trials of handling a household on a budgeted income.
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Yezad-A honest worker at Bombay Sporting Goods Emporium at Marine Lines. He is the husband of Roxanna and father of 2 lovely sons.
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Murad-A recently turned 13 year old. The elder son of Roxanna and Yezad.
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Jehangir-A quiet studious child who is always apprehensive about his parents marriage breaking. The younger child of Roxanna and Yezad.
SIDE KICKS-
Mr.Kapur-The owner of Bombay Sporting Goods Emporium and boss to Yezad. A true connoisseur of Bombay city.
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Hussain-A peon at Bombay Sporting Goods Emporium. A muslim who lost his entire family in the Bombay riots due to a fire at his Antop Hill residence. He suffers from panic attacks and depression at regular intervals.
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Edul Munshi-A regular Jack of all trades master of none. The neighbourhood “handyman”. More destructive then constructive, he is the annoying neighbour of the Vakeels.
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Villie-The “matka queen” of Pleasant Villa. She manages to support her ailing mother with her gambling sprees. Considers the interpretations of her dreams her success story.
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Daisy- A professional violinist. Rumoured to play in the nude. She plays the love interest of Jal Contractor in the book.
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Lucy- The deranged pre marital girlfriend of Nariman Vakeel. The
non-parsi.
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Hereby establishing a few of the never ending characters in the book……..
Rohinton Mistry in his book very effectively points out various issues that the middle class deals with. Intricately woven into the story is Nariman Vakeels fate of being tossed around like a football on being bed ridden. Showcasing the value systems of the younger generation when it comes to dealing with their aging and ailing parents.
The author discloses the rude picture of our economy by portraying the trials of a housewife running her house on a budget, which goes hay wire with one added expense.
He also stresses on circumstantial behaviour patterns in the form of Yezad…….
Circumstances metamorphosing his entire personality comes as a rude and heartening shock to the most steadfast reader.
The distinct choice of words used by Rohinton Mistry while reminiscing about Bombay is very endearing. The author talks about a by gone era when Bombay had an old world charm….which makes it a delicacy for readers. He also brews controversy by repeated pot shots at the Shiv Sena (a political party)
Overall Summary-A must read, this book with its simplistic and honest approach leaves a feel good impact on the readers mind. Dealing with social issues in an intricately woven plot, this is one book you wouldn’t want to put down till you reached the 500th page (it has 500 pages).
The last words of this book- “Yes, I say. “Yes, I’m happy”. Is the feeling echoed by the reader on finishing ’Family Matters’.