The House of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar takes readers on a delectable journey across three generations of a fictional family, the Dorais of South India. The journey begins in 1899 at the end of World War II. The story takes place in the Chevathar village, a region famous for its blue mango. The book tells the story of the many struggles the Dorai family must endure.
David Davidar showcases the historical background throughout his novel. He gives readers and idea of India’s fight for independence from British rule while providing the background to understand the social and political factors that make the lives of his characters so complex. There are times in the book when David Davidar turns from third-person narrator to first-person editor.
In this excellent work of fiction colorfully depicts differences in language, religion, community and caste that have divided the society of India for thousands of years. When India was united by the British in the nineteenth century, they left in tact the essence of India, which by definition is the lack of ability to find common ground among one another. Instead, this flaw was used against the people of India to control them.