January 15, 2025
In Howard's historical novel, conflicts come to a boil in a colonial Indian household. Twelve-year-oldGene Hinton is the youngest son in an American Baptist missionary family stationed outside of Calcutta in 1936, made up of his father, mother, and three older brothers. As a missionary, Gene is not a great success, but locals tolerate their presence. The story alternates his point of view with the Hintons' longtime servant's--Arthur, an Indian man. The novel begins with the anxiously awaited arrival of a man they call Uncle Ellis, a mysterious British figure who pops in and out of their lives. He's a judge who's taken leave of his position in the Indian city of Simla for reasons that are unclear, accompanied by a bodyguard of Afghan soldiers. The boys have always been fascinated by Uncle Ellis, but as the days go on, they--and especially Gene--sense something unnerving about the fact that he's effectively moved in with them, far from where Ellis usually lives. Arthur is even more attuned to the newcomer's arrogance and casual cruelty, and later, Ellis' secret finally comes to light. Also, Jaya, a mysterious young Indian woman, shows up, seduces Arthur, and awakens him to love and to the Indian Nationalist cause. Violence ensues, and in the end, everyone must face disturbing truths. Howard sketches Gene with skill, showing him to be quite mature and perceptive for someone so young. Of all the brothers, Gene is the most sensitive to his surroundings and the only one who's a real friend to Arthur. The Hinton family's cluelessness about India and its people is underscored time and again, and the oldest brother, John, has the air of superiority that was typical of many colonists. Arthur is characterized as someone who's fended for himself since he was young and considers it a blessing to have a reliable job. Indeed, he's resigned to his servitude until Jaya changes his worldview. Ellis' vile attitudes about race are exposed, and Howard ably shows him to be a nasty piece of work. A vivid depiction of India under the British Raj and an indictment of its colonizers.
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