Krishna
This book describes the period of 1752-1765 in England, and is woven around the lives of two cousins Erasmus Kemp, who is ruined by his father William Kemp’s debts in business before he takes his own life, and his cousin Mathew Paris, a physician, who wants to leave everything behind after being incarcerated for his scientific views which offends the church of the day. To Erasmus, who is brought up in the strict traditions of the day, the fact that his prospective wife Sarah Walport and her mother can hold independent views, and even dare to express them while in the company of men, is unacceptable and it ranks above his love for Sarah.
The book falls neatly into three parts. The first is the story of the romance of Erasmus and Sarah, and the signing up of Mathew Paris on a slave ship bound for Africa to bring back slaves. The casual way the slave trade is discussed as `profitable’, the way the government approves and abets the trade and the way the governers help themselves to a cut are shocking to read and well described. In contrast, the fate of the slaves and their treatment comes across in a stark contrast. Some of the incidents regarding slaves are very shocking to read and may affect the readers with their stark narration. Be forewarned!
The second part is Erasmus remaking his lost fortune in East India company and learning of the existence of the `sunk’ ship. And the third part continues the story of Mathew Paris, and the remarkable effort of some to defy the times and set up an egalitarian society.
In fact the dilemma of between the state approved morality (slave trading) and your private morality is brought out very clearly in the book. The attitude of men regarding women and the effort of some (Walpole) who are ahead of their times is brought out. The story is powerfully developed and you see through the eyes and mind of people living in the 18th century, with those beliefs and mores of the times.
The author’s hints that those are wrong come out through instances rather than any character lecturing against them: witness Erasmus Kemp’s mother taking over in a crisis, when he was helpless `though she is just a woman’ in his eyes. Also the irony of the oppressed becoming oppressors when there is a chance, and justifying it vociferously.
An enormously delightful book to read, if you put in the effort — 9/10
— Krishna