FROM STETHOSCOPE TO KEYBOARD: AN EXPAT NOVEL SET IN THE U.S. On Thin Ice. A novel by Meena and Gilbert Lawrence
Review by Cornel DaCosta [EMAIL PROTECTED] On receiving this novel via the Internet, I enjoyed reading it entirely on my computer screen. This was a novelty for me, but clearly, in the future, similar reading material may be available on paper only if one chooses to generate or obtain a printed copy. >From the start, in the novel, we are offered graphic accounts of the snow and ice terrain where the Reddy family spent some of their winter leisure in the region around and beyond the small city of Utica in upper New York State. The outdoor life much enjoyed by the foursome of father, (a doctor by profession), mother, and two teenage sons is explained in considerable detail, especially, their enthusiasm for the sport of ice hockey and their participation in team games against rival local teams. The two sons and the father participate fully and enthusiastically, with strong encouragement from the mother, until such time when reservations are expressed among family members about the wisdom of the father extending himself so vigorously in the highly demanding sport. Following gentle persuasion, Dr Reddy concedes that he ought to consider an alternative sport on ice and is soon drawn towards curling. He engages in this pursuit as intensely as he did in ice hockey and soon masters the finer points of the sport to participate well in local competitions. The novel succeeds in making sport fairly central and pleasurable in the lives of family members. There is an implicit and explicit determination to be thoroughly disciplined in sport as well as in dedication to education and becoming productive citizens in their new country of settlement from their origins in Bombay, India. Sport is therefore, one vehicle through which integration or incorporation into American society is largely accomplished. For a Brit like me, it is fascinating to note the significant importance for many newcomers to the USA to become 'American' as rapidly as possible, quite unlike comparable parallels with the British scene in the UK. Any reader of the novel would clearly note, in my view, the self-appraisal sincerely expressed which seems to say, "haven't we been very positive and done well here?" However, some reflective analyses within the novel of the advantages and disadvantages of making the immigrant move from India to the USA would clearly not have been amiss. Such a perspective has perhaps been marginally overlooked, even though there are good descriptions of the preparation and consumption of Indian food in the family and in neighbourhood social settings. There is however, an unmistakable message in the novel that, South Asian immigrants to the USA have invariably been industrious and have contributed positively to many aspects of American society. On returning from a vacation recently in British Columbia, Canada, which included an awe-inspiring time in the Rockies, I noted a lot of similarity in BC with the impressive terrain as depicted in On Thin Ice around Utica. Thus, my planned return to British Columbia is likely to be shelved, for now, in favour of a visit to Utica, much closer than the ten-hour flight to British Columbia from the UK. The dimension in the novel relating to Dr Reddy's dedication to his work as an oncologist and his concern for the well-being of his patients reflects commitment to hard work and a personal and family philosophy of resolute endeavour. That this facet is shared positively with the local immigrant and host community is very evident. The novel is also well utilised to advance the lay person's knowledge of cancer generally, how to cope with it and what preventable steps need to be considered in society. In this respect, there is indeed an excellent and valuable medical and social message for all who come across the novel. Clearly, the wise decision to work and live in a small city like Utica helps the Reddy family greatly to engage fully in varied social settings through the use of quality time, which may not have been available in the city of New York itself. I have encountered discussion recently, on the concept of the short novel in the quality press. Increased support appears to be offered to the short story and novel when traditionally the mighty tome has held pride of place in the minds of readers, metaphorically privileging the marathon, or the 1500m, over the 100m. In this sense, from memory, I recall Aida Edemariam arguing persuasively that, in a short novel, every word, every turn, every thought matters and that it's a quality of concentration hard to sustain over a longer novel. Thus, I was able to glean that, if they are good, short stories and novels resonate far beyond their size, as is the case with On Thin Ice. Whilst reading the novel, I did grapple with the question as to which audience the novel had geared itself. My conclusion was that there were minimally three audiences. Firstly, the local population that could be informed about the novel and persuaded to read it, likewise, and secondly, those at 'home' in India, and thirdly, those from the South Asian Diaspora in America and elsewhere. But I have hopes that the audience might indeed get wider. Although I have rarely read the Reader’s Digest in recent years, except when finding it in my dentist's waiting room, it struck me that a summarised version of On Thin Ice would probably be welcomed as a substantial article in this popular magazine. Alternatively, the information on the Internet suggests that the entire short novel may also be acceptable to the Reader's Digest for publication in its own right and thus reach a wide audience. With his wife as a co-author, in this novel, a medical doctor alternates his hand from the stethoscope to the keyboard with much dexterity and credit. Hopefully, such an orientation will enhance both callings within the good doctor, as well as, the productive output through such co-authorship. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Cornel DaCosta, PhD, is an author, consultant and specialist in university education, London, England. Review written on January 5, 2006. The weblink for On Thin Ice is http://www.booklocker.com/books/2194.html ISBN 1-59113-826-4 GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 8000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader welcomes your feedback at goanet@goanet.org ----------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet, building community, creating social capital for a decade. -----------------------------------------------------------------