Our attention in her CUSTODY

Literature
Book: Custody by Manju Kapur
Date: (of inteview with author)11 March


It’s not often that is one is completely engrossed in a piece of fiction that creates perceptions of being delicately weaved into our fabric of reality. So much so that one’s reading time takes on a life of its own and creates a realism that leaves you with visual questions – I wonder what the place and the people actually look like?

Custody by Manjur Kapur is an offering that embraces and subtly insists that the reality that she has created actually exists although the reader is overtly aware that this novel is classified under the genre - fiction. Characters with strong personalities, so strong that, in fact - one is forced between two powerful human emotions. Love and hate. And as you understand more of the drama, you even find yourself choosing sides.
Kapur sets the scenes and describes the places with such vivid authenticity that you wish by some mind-spell you could be transported to her India.

In her world, the puppets are as important as the stage that has been created and without the detail that is so elegantly presented like a surgeon’s scalpel in an operating theater the story line would fail miserably – she creates personas with balanced flaws and loveable nuances.

The backdrop of human drama that only relationships can create whether it’s the pursuit of love or the stark reality of love spurned, leaves you with a couple of moments. Manju Kapur has created a drama, a social tangle that will not be untangled until the last page is turned.
Set in the perceived middle class background of India with strong day to day dilemmas – we meet a couple who by everybody’s definition defines arranged marital perfection. Yet underneath the façade are infidelity, betrayal and ultimately redemption.

The author takes us effortlessly through the lives of the characters of Custody and makes you root even for those that orchestrate the hardship for their loved ones. Kapur is quick to point out herself that the work is fiction but some of the concepts like arranged marriage, divorce and modern India - have a tone of reality to it. Custody is set amidst the thriving economy of big beverage conglomerates, money and finding love, a constant theme even if it comes at the expense of an existing marriage.

The author asks bold questions through the four central characters Shagun, Ashok, Raman and Ishita and the journey for the reader is compelling. At what cost do you want to love? Could be one of the questions I came up with. As a man I found myself angry at Shagun as she treats Raman who I consider a hero with so much disdain and eventually severe contempt. I found myself rooting for Isha who after finding out that her near perfect marriage couldn’t survive the concept of no children in it. Brave - as she pieces back her life, her identity and ultimately her sexuality. In the end I could finally make peace with the Idea that although Ashok is a villain (in my eyes) and stole his employee’s wife, his love for Shagun is real and hoped that they would be happy forever.

I interviewed author Manjur Kapur and found a profoundly quiet spirit that understood her own power as an author and woman, humble to a fault - her latest offering is as honest as a fiction writer can get.

In a nutshell, this book will appeal to women but could appeal to men as well, if your open minded to read it, it could be a nice distraction. I am a man and I loved every moment reading this book.

I am Samm Marshall.