Rita Donovan's Daisy Circus

 

Donovan's Daisy Circus offers a poignant exploration of identity, family dynamics, and personal transformation. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Montreal—a city undergoing significant change—the narrative follows Daisy, a stand-up comedian, as she navigates the complexities of her upbringing and the evolving circus world.

The story begins with Daisy's mother, Gail, embarking on a new life in Montreal. After a brief relationship with Tommy Rory, she gives up her first child and later marries Nick, with whom she has two children: Daisy and Drake. Initially, Daisy is referred to simply as "the girl," her name undisclosed. At some point, she adopts the name Daisy, allowing others to call her by it.

Throughout her childhood, Daisy feels neglected, receiving little affection from her parents, who instead lavish love on Drake. However, at the age of 11, Drake becomes a cripple due to an accident, leading to significant changes in the family dynamic. Gail and Nick's relationship begins to deteriorate, and eventually, Nick leaves with Drake, stating his desire to care for him independently. Despite this, he ensures that Gail and Daisy are provided for financially. Nick later remarries Betty Martel, who treats Drake well and cares for him. Over time, Gail and Daisy's relationship improves, and Gail also mends her bond with her own mother.

As the narrative progresses, Daisy grapples with the loss of her brother and the impact it has on her sense of self. The story culminates in a portrayal of Daisy's apparent mental unraveling, symbolized by the image of a naked woman wandering—a representation of her internal turmoil.

While the novel delves deeply into themes of family and personal growth, its non-linear narrative structure posed challenges for me. The interspersed memories and internal monologues disrupted the flow, making the plot difficult to follow at times. Additionally, the inclusion of poetry, such as lines from ee cummings, adds a layer of abstraction that may blur the line between reality and perception. Moreover, the Canadian context may also have led me to misunderstand certain relevant points in the novel. 

In conclusion, while Daisy Circus offers a rich tapestry of emotional depth and character development, its complex narrative style did not resonate with me. I would not include this in my favourites. 

Ferenc Molnar's The Paul Street Boys

 

For readers familiar with R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends, Ferenc Molnar's The Paul Street Boys offers a similarly nostalgic setting and tone. While Swami and Friends revolves around the central character Swami, The Paul Street Boys centers on a group of spirited Hungarian boys.

Written in 1907, this classic novel by Ferenc Molnár has been translated into over 14 languages and remains one of the most beloved works in Hungary. The story focuses on two rival groups of boys, aged 10 to 14, and their intense but innocent battle over a cherished piece of land. Interestingly, the foreword suggests that the story may have been influenced by American author James Fenimore Cooper, known for his frontier and Native American tales.

What moved me most about this novel was the boys’ vivid imaginations and their attempts at role-playing — portraying battles with a seriousness only children can muster. But beyond the games, the story is deeply human, touching on themes of jealousy, loyalty, pride, decency, and quiet heroism. The two group leaders, János Boka and Feri Áts, display admirable leadership and integrity.

The novel's emotional core lies in the tragic death of the young and frail Nemecsek — a boy whose gallantry, humbleness, and ultimate sacrifice  leave a lasting impression. His final wish, that his beloved team led by Boka would triumph, adds a poignant end to a powerful coming-of-age tale.

I loved reading this and I do hope others do too. Will be part of my favourites.

The Gurkha's Daughter by Prajul Parajuly

   

The Gurkha's Daughter is a collection of eight short stories by Prajwal Parajuly. The stories include: ‘The Cleft’, ‘Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’, ‘A Father’s Journey’, ‘Missed Blessing’, ‘No Land Is Her Land’, ‘The Gurkha’s Daughter’, ‘Passing Fancy’, and ‘The Immigrants’.

Written in a simple and lucid style, the collection is accessible to readers with a decent grasp of English. The stories are primarily set in the regions of Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal, and many revolve around child protagonists. One of the most striking aspects of Parajuly’s writing is his ability to weave multiple voices into a single narrative. A notable example of this polyphonic technique is in “The Gurkha’s Daughter”, where the voices of children Mittini and Gita intersect with the broader narrative of familial tensions and hardships.

“The Cleft” tells the moving story of Kaali, a girl born with a cleft lip who works for a widow named Parvati. Although Parvati repeatedly promises to fund Kaali's surgery, her assurances prove hollow. Kaali dreams of reaching India with her savings of ₹400, but when she entrusts the money to Parvati, her hopes begin to unravel.

“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” explores themes of class divide, migration, and gender dynamics. It follows a complex interplay between kleptomania, women’s empowerment, and social exploitation. By the end, Munnu, a shopkeeper, manipulates a situation where his wife Humera becomes a victim in their shop, preventing the kleptomaniac Shradhanjali from continuing her thefts.

“A Father’s Journey” delves into the emotional terrain of a father-daughter relationship. A father aspires to give his daughter a liberal education, but the story concludes with irony as she ends up marrying an alcoholic Brahmin man, seeking social acceptance over personal agency.

“Missed Blessing” focuses on Rajiv, a poor man struggling to host relatives during a festival. Despite his efforts to accommodate them in his small one-room home, the guests are dissatisfied and eventually choose to stay in a guesthouse, highlighting the emotional and physical strain of hospitality under poverty.

“No Land Is Her Land” tells the story of Anamika, a refugee preparing to migrate to the U.S. after an interview with the International Organization for Migration. Her story reflects the anxiety and dislocation of cross-border movement.

“The Gurkha’s daughter” subtly foregrounds the anxieties and the trouble of the Gurkhas who are employed by the British. Through the voice of the children, the story navigates the ups and downs of two families. 

“Passing Fancy” centers on a retired woman navigating the challenges and freedoms of her new phase in life, offering a subtle portrayal of aging, solitude, and self-reinvention.

The final story, “The Immigrants”, follows Sabitri, an immigrant woman trying to build a life in America. It sheds light on the struggles of H1-B visa holders as well as undocumented migrants, capturing the complexities of identity and belonging in a foreign land.

Each story in the collection is accompanied by a map highlighting Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Bangladesh, and India. These maps subtly underscore the porous and often contested nature of borders in South Asia—both geographical and emotional.