Although first published in 1952, John Masters novel still has something to say about identity, disguise and what is willing to be gained or lost in the pursuit of justice.
The story is set in 1825 and focuses on William Savage, living in colonial India as an authority figure for Imperial Britain in a small village. After his marriage he returns to his station to find unrest and conflict due to the decision of one villiager (after her husband has been deemed dead after not returning from travel) to become a Suttee (or Sati) and burn herself on his funeral pyre. William's subsequent deceit and decision to prevent this act begins his descent into crime and murder, with little way back to the civilisation he has left behind.
Although many of Masters early novels are biased towards colonial power in India and elsewhere, having read this book again after many years and the benefit of research into postcolonial India and Empire it is clear to me that not only is Master's attempting to critique the assumptions of colonial powers to prevent cultural activities but also to allow for the fear present under the surface of the British, of the unknown and savage part of their new home.
Despite its age The Deceivers is well worth reading and has been educational in looking at how British authors in the decades after Indian partition and independence chose to write about colonial India and the culture there.
No comments:
Post a Comment