Anila's journey by Mary Finn
Walker Books, 2008
(Age 12+) Anila's Irish father is missing, but believing he will return
to her, refuses to go to Madras with her guardians, the Hickeys, who
have cared for her since the death of her Bengali mother. By staying in
Calcutta her father will find her. But she must make a living and so
takes her letter of introduction and her portfolio of bird paintings to
Mr Walker at the Asiatick Society headquarters, for he has advertised
for a draughtsman to accompany him on a trip along the Ganges.
The sights, sounds and smells of India during the first days of the
nineteenth century are recalled in detail in this surprising book.
Alternate chapters show Anila's early years, and present events as she
journeys down the Ganges. There is a mystery as well as a loved
childhood to consider, a secretive man on board the boat and a child
found tied up in a courtyard. Many times I was reminded of Kipling's
Kim, as I languidly floated along the river with this odd assortment of
people, looking at India through the eyes of a young girl with an Irish
father and Bengali mother, as well as those of an Englishman
disenchanted with the results of colonisation.
A delightful book, with an engaging story and wonderfully unusual and
diverse characters, this novel will suit the more discriminating reader
from upper primary to adult, who will revel in the most delicious of
writing.
Fran Knight