A GODDESS NAMED GOLD

by Bhabani Bhattacharya ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 1960

This is the story of the multiple events which occur in a small Indian village over a period of several weeks preceding the country's official independence from British rule. A young girl and her grandparents (a strong-willed and independent woman, and a silent and almost prophetic sage) are the hope and leading strength of the penniless, genuine, but often foolish villagers who are financially controlled by the crippling mortgages and high prices of the wealthy cloth-dealer and money-lender. The girl's grandfather is a wandering minstrel surrounded, in the eyes of the villagers, with a supernatural halo. He gives his beloved granddaughter a magic amulet destined to turn to gold any copper object touching her body when she performs ""an act of real kindness"". This gift and its attendant power stimulate even further the greed and selfish cupidity of the money-lender (a man whose intelligence is clouded by his consuming avarice) and unbridles a series of events which culminate -- after causing much stupid behavior and a great deal of unhappiness -- in demonstrating to the entire village the principle of charity and kindness, based on patriotic pride and gratefulness for one's own circumstance in life, as well as for the blossoming freedom of the nation. The author's style and studied choice of language indicate an earnest attempt to capture in English the atmosphere of a small and poor Indian village. the effort is perhaps over-ambitious for the result is often awkward and unreal. The plot is, however, interesting, and heart-warming as well as humorous. The appeal would be mainly for the American reader unfamiliar with India's customs, and eager to become acquainted with them from light reading.

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1960

Categories: FICTION