Atlas of Unknowns-Disappointing!!!!

Atlas of Unknowns
Written by Tania James

AFter all the raving reviews and Span coverage, Tania James' debut novel was a big let down. Of course this is my personal feeling. After all the troubles that i undertook to get hold of the book, scouting the book-shops, unable to find it in the Delhi World book fair, and finally ordering it online and waiting for it anxiously, almost like your birthday present, i was utterly disappointed with the novel.

The start was brilliant and certain things like the father's feeling of omen through the stomach cramps, the God-fearing Keralite (Syrian Christian) grandmother and the much vocal silence crackling in the "chemical dynamics" between the two sisters.

However slowly the plot takes shape of a much cliched one.
The cliches and stereotypes could have been avoided. I mean, Abraham Chandy, kicking up his mund to tie it around his waist is no longer a humorous recourse (thanks to all the Lola kutty shows).
Also the major problem which i found was that the characters were left almost half-done. Fischer at Anju's school arrives and by the time you think him to be an important character, he just vanishes. Mrs. Solanki's son, seems to be a mono-maniac with his camera and film-shooting spree.. i mean Rohit's character was intended to represent what??
And of course, the mystery, which is hinted throughout the book as almost an unspeakable, hushed up tragedy, at the end just turns out to be a mole out of a mountain.
The motive behind the action, tragedy, desperation of each character is so half-done.There was really no need to bring out the immigrant issue as the "carrot to dangle". Too many things got mixed up. AT one point the story seemed to be the journey to two sisters towards self-emancipation amidst their humble and prejudiced backgrounds. But no the dream of AMerica, which is almost something they receive in lineage from their deceased mother comes up. 9/11 is hinted for God knows what. The only character who grows and matures is Melvin, the father. In fact at least we get to know his sorrows, his longings and his failures.
Malayala Manorama, becomes more than just a cultural symbol, playing the biggest role in the book.
Even the clash of cultures are dealt in such a hashed up way. I mean, a co-passenger's suggestion of using a deodourant, and waxing bikini lines... are they reminders of a different culture.. in 2001 ....i seriously doubt.
The irritating parts come, when Gwen (why this character was created, i have no clue and may be one of those innumerable half-done sketchy beings in the novel)almost tries to find everything exotic and bespeaking of an ancient culture in Bird's lifestyle-keeping a mug and bucket in the toilet and subletting too many people.

And the main theme of the story,that of betrayal, due to the impending desire of one somehow loses its focus after the first 100 pages.

Atlas of Unknowns is set in the political landscape of post-9/11 immigration policy. And yet we hardly get a feel of this charged environment. There are too many distracting meanders and detours by family mystery (which as mentioned before turns out to be completely insignificant and could have been spared).

The failure of the novel seems to be the author's attempt to magnify the trivialties of moments and experiences, she seems to cherish. Well, she might have lived and witnessed all those moments and hence she got too pre-occupied in creating them earnestly. This is something that many novelists undoubtedly do; here, but in this book it is just too weary and too transparent, it seems obvious that it’s really the author walking through the streets of Kerala observing, not the characters. hence in the effort of creating beautiful images,which she holds close to her heart, the story becomes little too florid at the expense of plot and character development. And the book becomes voluminous with a sluggish pace.

My Recommendation... not to attempt reading it at all.. completely avoidable.