Passage North

A Passage North is an introspective, meandering novel in which a young Tamil man, Krishan, reminisces about three women who have particularly influenced his recent years, exploring the way in which they have inspired him to reconsider his life's path. Overall I felt a poignant sadness throughout the novel. Years of war across Sri Lanka have resulted in a traumatised population with both those people on the island and its wider diaspora being affected. Krishan, living in India, feels intense guilt for not suffering at first hand and it is this emotion, as much I think as the example set him by former lover Anjum, that drives him back to the area most deeply affected by warfare.

I loved Arudpragasam's portrayals of interpersonal relationships, particularly that of Krishan with his fading grandmother. Formerly a vibrant and active woman, Appamma's frailty now sees her confined to the upstairs rooms of the family home and dependent on her daughter and grandson for all information. Krishan obviously loves his grandmother, but I could clearly sense his frustration at daily interrogations on what is irrelevant minutiae to him, but these conversations are the only way in which Appamma can still feel involved and important within the household. Finding Appamma a new companion, widowed Rani, seems an ideal solution, but the losses she suffered are heartbreaking.

A Passage North's measured pace and psychological explorations mean it won't be a novel that appeals to everyone, though I was pleased to see it get recognition with its recent Booker Prize longlist nomination (despite my own history of not getting on with Booker winners!) I would recommend it to readers who appreciate deep character studies and who are interested in the long-term social implications of war and violence on individuals and communities. This haunting novel is a beautiful, yet disturbing read.