Family Matters : Book Review

 

Rohinton Mistry in his novel ‘Family Matters’ (2002) takes us through the discordant family of Nariman Vakeel, a 79 years old retd English professor. Nariman lives with his step children Coomy and Jal who  harbours incessant anger against their stepfather as they consider him responsible for their mother’s suffering and untimely tragic death.  At an early stage of Parkinson, Nariman fractured his foot after which restricts him to the bed. Coomy and Jal ensure that Nariman’s responsibility is shifted to  Roxana, their half sister. Roxana who lives with her husband Yezda and two children  in a small two room apartment is thrusted with the responsibility of her father.  With Yezda, beseeched with financial worries Roxana is now torn between her father's responsibility and husband who is absolutely unhappy with the additional responsibility. 

All characters are deftly written but the unfolding of Yezda’s character was a treat to read. Initially when Nariman came to his flat, he had refused to help Roxana but eventually he volunteered for Nariman’s shaving, cutting nails or even giving him bed pan. This evolution of Yezda’s character made me reflect on the meaning of life.  One can add meaning to life by being ‘human’ towards other fellow humans. Also, his transition from being non religious to religious fanatic towards the end of the novel evokes pathos.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and it has enriched me in manifold ways. By taking us through the wasteland of Nariman Vakeel’s family and their inmates, he makes us wiser and reminds us what actually ‘matters’. Would recommend everyone to read this work... Mistry is a wordsmith who spins engaging tales.