The Tainted by Cauvery Madhavan
Its spring 1920 in the small military town of Nandagiri in south-east India. Colonel Aylmer, commander of the Royal Irish Kildare Rangers, is in charge. A distance away, decently hidden from view, lies the native part of Nandagiri with its heaving bazaar, reeking streets and brothels.
Everyone in Nandagiri knows their place and the part they were born to play – with one exception. The local Anglo-Indians, tainted by their mixed blood, belong . . . nowhere.
When news of the Black and Tans’ atrocities back in Ireland reaches the troops in India, even their priest cannot cool the men’s hot-headed rage. Politics vie with passion as Private Michael Flaherty pays court to Rose, Mrs Aylmer’s Anglo-Indian maid . . . but mutiny brings heroism and heartbreak in equal measure.
Only the arrival of Colonel Aylmer’s grandson Richard, some 60 years later, will set off the reckoning, when those who were parted will be reunited, and those who were lost will be found again.
Cauvery Madhavan was born and educated in India. She worked as a copywriter in her hometown of Chennai (formerly Madras). Cauvery moved to Ireland thirty-three years ago and has been in love with the country ever since. Her other books are: Paddy Indian and The Uncoupling. She lives with her husband and three children in beautiful County Kildare.
Review
This book is an Indian historical fiction novel spanned over 60 years that concentrates on the Anglo-Indian population that is left over from the Raj. It’s heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time, parts of the story were devastating, the characterisation was brilliant. From the servants to the dynasties of the two families, all felt real and honest.
I loved this book! It had me remembering of my time in India, both in Kerala and Nanital. It evoked visions of hills, lakes, the smell of spices and street food stalls and just feelings of joy! It is very true that India gets into your soul and books like this make me crave being in a bustling town with a warm cup of chai.
Despite thinking I knew a bit about Indian history, the Anglo-Indian population was something I was quite ignorant about. This being babies who were born from mixed race marriages or relationships. This resulted in them being not quite ‘Indian’ enough or not quite ‘British’ enough and they faced a lifetime of discrimination from both sides. ‘The Tainted’ follows two families over the 60 years - the Aylmers and the Twomeys (the Anglo-Indians). The Alymers are the family with status as Colonel Alymer is the commander of the local barracks and Rose Twomey who is his wife’s ladies maid. Rose falls in love with one of the men stationed there and the story spans out from there.
I liked the Irish aspect of the narrative - the troops being up in arms because of the Black and Tan’s activities back home in Ireland. However, I do think Michaels story in relation to this was slightly rushed. It would have been good to see him on that train journey down to plains. Only because I was interested in this part of the story, I am always wanting more from a book!
I loved the character’s with May, the latest generation of the Twomeys, being my favourite. She has such gumption and confidence even though she faced prejudice and racism during her life. I loved the resolution of the love triangle between her Mohan and Richard. I pleased with who she ended up with. Oh and that final chapter - I was nearly in tears. It was a lovely resolution to the book.
This book was extremely well researched and Cauvery definitely knows her stuff. It was great to see mentions of Gandhi arriving in India, the riots in Madras (Chennai) and the acknowledgment of the Amritsar Massacre. I tell everyone in the UK about the Amritsar Massacre as it is a shameful part of British history that more people need to hear about! Sorry that is one of my passions is the Amritsar Massacre as I studied this for my degree. What I am trying to get across is that all this historical detail woven into the plot makes it seem so much more real than some other narratives based on this era. Plus I also liked how Cauvery has not shied away from using language which now comes across as being political incorrect. This was what was used at the time and part of the circumstances which the Anglo-Indians faced. However, I also liked that the Anglo-Indian’s were also shown as being racist to Indians as I can see this definitely occurring a lot.
Anyway, now I have geeked out on the history in this book I will leave you in peace! This book is a moving story, its compelling, heartbreaking and beautiful. Go read it and you will find yourself transported into a colourful and captivating world.
