Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Grammarian by Annapurna Potluri


The story opens in 1911. Carrying English and Hindi dictionaries, a book of Sanskrit roots, and this guide, a young French philologist is traveling by train in India. His mission is to write a book on the local language Telugu for a European audience. Excited by the prospect of expanding his knowledge of the language, Alexandre Lautens is also quite taken by the sights and smells around him - the smell of petrol, the taste of fresh jackfruit, the flash of a pink sari. Arriving at his destination, he finds his accommodations even more comfortable than expected as a guest of the Adivi family. 

While trying to make their guest feel at home, the various members of the Adivi family are also preparing for the wedding of their youngest daughter. The eldest daughter, Anjali, somewhat removed from the festivities, offers to help with Alexandre's study. Wanting to return the favor, Alexandre decides to take her swimming. Innocent in intent, Alexandre soon discovers the impropriety is enough to cast him and Anjali out of the household. Their paths must diverge. Alexandre seeks refuge with a fellow European before his return to Paris while Anjali turns to political protest. 

Potluri sprinkles nominative declensions into lush descriptions of ritual dinners, wedding preparations, and everyday breakfasts.  Her strength is setting the scene with not only the right flower arrangement and bird song, but with the proper tension of cultural misunderstanding, youthful rebellion, and regret.  

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