THE IN-BETWEEN WORLD OF VIKRAM LALL

by M.G. Vassanji

I often share books that have won the Giller prize, the highest award for literature in Canada.  This is the first one from the list of past winners that has really left me cold. Set primarily in Kenya, Vassanji tells the story of a young Indian boy growing up through Kenya’s successful fight for freedom from British rule. Being part of the Asian community, the boy is neither white nor Black, despite being born in Kenya. The books tells his life story all the way through his rise to (corrupt) power in the government and his eventual exile to Canada. Although the story is interesting and illuminated a history and perspective that was entirely new to me, the book dragged and I struggled to make it through even one chapter before bed each night. So, as is often the case in this section of L&L, I wouldn’t say this is a bad book, but it was definitely not my cup of tea. (Lily)