The Inheritance

by Sheena Kalayil

Ben Martin is charming and an academic who has raised money for children's charities and worked with women's agencies in sub-Saharan Africa, a devoted husband. But when his brother Francois, an artist based in Lisbon, finds out about Ben's affair with a student, Rita Kalungal, he finds himself feeling responsible both for his brother's actions as well as Rita; and Rita begins to realise that her involvement with Ben has far-reaching consequences on herself and her family, and others.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2018

Reviews

[Basmaish · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of tropes in this book that I did not like at all, but there’s something about the writing style that kept compelling me to continue. It’s one of those books where nothing really happens.

[Around the world pick for Zambia.]

[Yvonne Mendy-Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although she can obviously write I struggled with these characters. Two brothers, much older than Rita… enamoured by the young girls youth… and youth is the big factor here. Both brothers are much much older… the older one married with an I’ll wife. He is the one who embarks on a short affair with the girl, his 19 year old student. He is 38. I have no sympathies for him. Using his position of power over the girl, yes she willingly gets involved with him. It is the story of youth. Flattered by the attentions of a much older professor who she sees as knowledgeable and she is entering an adult world. Ben is in the wrong and quite frankly I feel annoyed that a writer would devote any time to him or any of the characters… the older brother gets killed off in an unexpected car crash. Rita is guilt ridden but the younger brother now finds out that his brother has had an affair via a semi naked photo found in her flat. The younger brother, a successful artist in his thirties… MUCH older than Rita tracks her down and surprise surprise he falls for the youth of Rita…. I can’t believe I managed to finish the book.
I don’t give a fig about the Indian background/ culture ofRita or the African connection the two brothers have…. Basically to my mind it is two brothers chasing young skirt to make themselves feel better about getting older… pathetic… and the writer is dressing the story up as if it’s anything else….. older brother dies, I don’t care and I find Rita pretty insipid too… younger brother is so up himself I pity whatever woman ends up with him…. ‘If only I was 20 years younger says younger brother meeting Rita again 4 years later. Exactly the point but he isn’t yet Rita ends up with him….Ridiculous…. And they live happily ever after…I don’t think so
bBeautiful front cover but that’s all I can say about the book

[Nick Hussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been enchanted by Sheena Kalayil’s previous novel, The Bureau of Second Chances, I came to The Inheritance with high expectations.

Kalayil’s ability to conjure up a sense of place is second to none and it is prevalent here, as the characters draw us in to the places that shape their lives & loves.

The themes of loss & love never overwhelm the intimacy of the character’s experiences and their charisma pulls you into their lives as the story evolves into unexpected and intriguing directions.
This novel was a wonderful place to spend time and I look forward to her next.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is described as follows:-
"Ben Martin is charming and successful: an academic who has raised money for children's charities and worked with women's agencies in sub- Saharan Africa, a devoted husband. But when his brother Francois, an artist based in Lisbon, finds out about Ben's affair with a student, Rita Kalungal, he finds himself feeling responsible both for his brother's actions as well as Rita; and Rita begins to realise that her involvement with Ben has far-reaching consequences on herself and her family, and others."

It was interesting reading this book after Penelope Lively's The Photograph as they both feature a photograph which exposes one of the protagonists as being not quite what they seemed. However, the story and characters in this book are if anything more complex and Kalayil's prose is certainly on a par with Lively's writing.

I particularly like the way the characters display the expected range of traits found in such a situation but we are left to form our own opinions about them, their particular situation and actions. I also appreciate that exactly how the accident took place is left unexplained and we're left to conjure up our own scenario/view. Kalayil has a masterly ability to describe streets, landscapes and countries with Lisbon having become a must visit destination.

I also appreciated the way in which issues such as migration, belonging, gender politics and identity are delicately woven into the narrative with a serious but light touch which have left me thinking about how perfect the title Inheritance is for the novel and pondering it for some time afterwards.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so dull and didn't really go anywhere. The storyline after the twist was completely predictable, the main characters came across creepy and unlikeable, and the cultural/land descriptions seemed completely irrelevant and at odds with the rest of the book. It's like the author tried to mix a love/loss story and a travelogue in one book and the 2 contents completely curdled, with neither one done particularly well. I usually read a good book in a few sittings but this one was hard work to get through.

[Lauren Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is, at it's heart, incredibly romantic. It showcases the excitement and all-consuming nature of first love and the tragic consequences that come along with it when it ends. It is an interesting look at how class, gender and race intertwine and affect how we live our lives. The twist in the tale is not really a twist - all of the signs are there and you'll see it coming from a mile off.

This is a lovely book for those who are hopeless romantics at heart.

[Laura Pugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable romance. A young student falls in love with and begins an affair with her university professor, but when things take an unexpected turn it is his brother who picks up the pieces. The cultural heritage of each of the three protagonists is given a lot of attention - both her family visits to Kerala and the Zimbabwean upbringing of the brothers - and personally I found this very interesting. At times the plot felt a little predictable, but I enjoyed it overall.

[Rose Bridges · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is essentially a love story that takes a long time to reach an inevitable conclusion. There are some interesting ideas..the links to Zimbabwe and India but the thing that grated throughout, for me, was the idea of ownership of 'the girl'. Rita I felt was less of a person... rather a possession to be inherited...I guess the clue was always in the title! Wished I could have liked the book more.

[Portia S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was sent this as part of a book subscription, and wouldn't have ordinarily chosen it. I wasn't very interested in the storyline but still felt compelled to keep reading - her writing is beautiful, but I just really disliked a lot of the plot and both the creepy old brothers preying on this young woman. The descriptions of places and the more historical writing was interesting - I wish this had been the focus.

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for romance readers, the all consuming love and infatuation that leads to the protagonists down fall was well depicted. Being fawned over by a teacher, romantically involved with two brothers, whilst being a student caused me discomfort whilst reading. But the author knows how to write beautifully, which captivated me to read on.

[Jyoti · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very predictable yet the writing is very compelling. I found myself wanting to read on however disappointed with the content. A lot of tropes are not matching to South Asian culture. There was not really a clear direction of this story and the plot took unexpected but unrealistic turns. I wouldn’t recommend.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very readable romance - questions of ownership and history percolate through the narrative both of the girl / Rita and of the history of India and Africa. The end felt inevitable but also reached slowly and gradually.

[Frida · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous read, in the way Kayalil writes. The plot itself whilst interesting is somewhat predictable but I will be sure to try another book by the same author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 stars. I enjoyed her writing style a lot, but lost the secondary characters enough to get annoyed when they reappeared out of the blue and made me backtrack.

[Helen Pomfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed. Not a classic but was interesting, felt it left the end hanging a bit.

[Micki_1989 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing read, not sure why most the book was written as it just prolonged alot that could of happened quicker. Good story of Rita finding herself as a whole.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written and the message about personal growth and healing is touching. The plot, however, is questionable - she sleeps with a married man who dies and then gets with her brother. Also plays into tropes.

[Linda Gnongui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for book club and felt like the story didn't surprise me at all. A little too much "born sexy yesterday" (cf Pop Culture Detective on youtube) to my taste.
My favourite parts were about lands and different culture descriptions.

[Frances Hopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly a bad book- It definitely kept my interest. But the characters where mainly unlikeable (and creepy at times although I don’t think Francois was supposed to be) and the end was predictable yet unbelievable (if that’s possible).

[Ms. Angela B. Spragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading part 2 at the moment, in the House Of Readers. Loving it so far.