When I began writing
the review of 'The Amazing Racist', I was at a loss for words. Not because I had judged the book, but
because I could not stop laughing. But then, you must be wondering whether I
was laughing because it was that funny or because it was that bad (Because I am
like that).
Okay, now for the
review. Eddie Trusted is the main lead. A bemused school teacher, who has just
moved to Sri Lanka from England to teach at an international school. Second
lead is Thilak Rupasinghe, the strict would-be father-in-law, who decides to walk in and rip
the reader apart. (I only meant with 'laughter', what did you think?) A top
lawyer, counsel to the former President, he tends to be a dominating dude, yet
you cannot miss his softness towards his daughter and definitely ‘anti-white’
man, by the way. So, that’s where you ‘think’ Eddie’s out. The third lead is Thilak’s daughter Menaka,
giving us the spice, which we would need through the book, wait till you read
it!
Then of course, there
is Menaka’s brother, and also her cousin Gayan. And Jimmy Walsh, the Keanu
Reeves look alike, who is Eddie’s boss. They are a mess, the characters are,
but this would not be half as interesting as it is, without them.
Hero loves heroine,
wants to marry her. Faces opposition from soon to be father-in-law. But heroine
is steadfast. The reluctant hero is very taken in, due to heroine’s beauty, and
reluctantly pushes forward. Heroine’s father, Uncle Thilak agrees, though with a
lot of hesitation. The hero's parents come to SL, and we get to see a wonderful
wedding.
War plays a part as
with its end, the hero and heroine welcome a daughter. With formula powder and
functional dispenser, Kiki in a baby bag lives up to her name. A year old, she has
to make do with only a father and grandfather, since mother is busy with post-war
reconciliation efforts. She had always wanted to reunite the races, anyway.
So, our hero is now
daddy. We will call him that. So, daddy got so busy caring for the child that
he had to leave his job. Whereas, Uncle Thilak, the amazing racist,
performs the role of grandfather with élan. He was the one who beat cancer,
while continuing to smoke and drink, so this would seem simple enough.
The twists and turns in
the story come at all the right moments, and though they did not hit me, as
unexpected, they did leave me with a thoughtful sentiment. The politically incorrect
humour, right from its wittiness to its profound approach was present through
the story. Oh, he does mention his wife and daughter (for real), in the book
too!
 |
| Chhimi Tenduf-La |
Author: Chhimi Tenduf-La
Genre: Fiction
ISBN : 9789350099124
Publisher: Hachette India
Price: Rs 399 /-
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