The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy packs a lot in this book and it was challenging for me to narrow down one single topic to discuss here on Thursday's Child. While reading I couldn't stop seeing, smelling and tasting  everything in Ayemenem, and at times that became rather overwhelming. In a society concerned with the "big things" such as the caste system, politics, labor unions, marriage, and disingenuous families, Roy directs the reader to take a closer look at the "small things."  Hence the title of the book. These "small things" are what is closest to our heart. Secrets, promises, sins, insecurities, loss and other things that we do not wish people to see or acknowledge. It is the underlining current that runs in every family, the deep hurt and dark secrets that drag us down. It is the small things that often become overlooked, abused and discarded. Rahel and Estha,  the twin protagonists understand the "small things." The amount of pain they suffer bearing the weight of the "small things" that go on in their family's life; Estha's molestation, Rachel's insecurities that her mother will  love her less, the secret of what really happened to little Sophie Mol, and the death of their beloved untouchable servant Velutha. Only after many years, and sex, do Rahel and Estha finally move past their painful childhood and are able to move on with their lives.

I'm not sure why I keep reading depressing books? I'm thinking that my next read should be something light and fun.