Disclaimer:This blogpost is on Kaui Hart
Hemming’s debut novel,’The descendants’.I haven’t seen the movie based
on this
book henceforth this post needn’t be seen as an opinion on the same
starring George Clooney and directed by Alexander Payne(Foxsearchlight
pics,2011)
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Matt King,the land baron has his wife in a
comatosed state after a boating accident.The doctors have predicted a poor
prognosis and have withdrawn her of ventilatory support.Soon Matt realises that his wife has had an affair
with realtor,Brian Speer and has been
cheating on him all these years .The descendants is the journey of Matt King
and his two daughters-Scottie,the chirpy
10 year old and the teenaged Alex,ex model and drug rehab to find Brian Speer
so that he too can bid his farewell wishes to Joannie whose death is imminent.
Though ‘The descendants’ is a tragic comedy with an emotional climax,for
the average Indian reader who has grown up watching desi family dramas or even
Ekta Kapoor’s weepy sagas on love and infidelity,this idyllic take on emotional
awakening set in Hawaii offers nothing new.But having said that, I must also
admit that the book didn’t bore me either.Though nothing much really happens in
the story,the humour in the narrative and the couple of immensely likeable
characters(Scottie,Alex and even Matt) make up for the predictability in the
story line.
The characters and the situations which Kaui Hart Hemmings has created
are so lively that it’s hard to not like this book .Moreover I am also pretty
much impressed with her writing style and her ability to derive humour out of
the most tragic of the situations.Be it the middle aged father who tries his best
to re-connect with his daughters or the boy with a troubled past(Sid),Hemming’s
characters are realistic and believable. There are a couple of touching
sequences in this book as well.For instance,the scene in which Matt meets Brian
Speer in his house is one which leaves you with a lump in your throat.The
climax though a bit predictable, is well written and doesn’t end up as a futile
attempt in emotional manipulation.
The Verdict: On the whole,Kaui Hart Hemming’s ‘The
Descendants’ is a good read which has got some really likeable characters in
it.I am giving 3.25/5 for this book.
-nikhimenon
