Review of Bapsi Sidhwa’s “The Crow Eaters”
“The Crow Eaters” is a term used to refer to people who are loud and talkative.
Returning to the novel’s review, Sidhwa successfully provides a comprehensive fictional portrayal of “Freddy,” his character, his family, and their way of life. The plot flows smoothly as Sidhwa covers approximately fifty years, showcasing the life events of two generations of Parsees in Lahore, Pakistan. Throughout the novel, glimpses of Lahore in the 20th century create a vivid backdrop for the story. “The Crow Eaters” not only entertains and amuses but also offers moral insights into the history, sacred practices, and values of the Parsee community living in the subcontinent. Despite adapting to the culture, dress code, cuisine, and language of their host country, the Parsees maintain their unique identity by upholding ancient traditions of fire worship and death rites. Sidhwa adeptly addresses these aspects in her work, constructing an emblematic account of a Parsi household and the conforming societal background. This novel stands out as the first-ever portrayal of the true Parsi mindset, communal behavior, value systems, and traditions.
Sidhwa avoids turning the story into a mere sociological discourse, instead weaving elements of humor, mockery, epic storytelling, and satire into the narrative. The main characters, such as Faredoon Junglewalla, a successful businessman, his equally accomplished son Billy, and his mother-in-law Jerbanoo, add to the enjoyable nature of the novel. Additionally, the story highlights the efforts of Parsis who migrated from the west coast to the more wholesome environment of North Indian metropolises during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“The Crow Eaters” can also be seen as an autobiography in disguise, as it reflects Bapsi Sidhwa’s personal experiences and insights. Born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1936, Sidhwa was raised in Lahore and has a deep connection to the city. She comes from the Bhandaras family, a prominent business family in Lahore that migrated to the city in the late 19th century. As a third-generation Parsee settler in North Indian metropolises, Sidhwa draws from both real and imaginary anecdotes about the entrepreneurial expertise of her ancestors. This lends a strong factual element to her portrayal of Faredoon, his family, and the other characters.
Throughout the novel, Sidhwa skillfully employs irony and rhetoric to prevent the narrative from becoming either fawning or tedious. This is a delicate balance to achieve when a writer delves into their own race, highlighting both its flaws and achievements. Freddy, the central character, is driven by a desire for wealth and status. While he attains his ambition, there is a cost associated with it. Sidhwa employs irony just as the reader begins to admire Freddy’s successes, injecting doubts and reservations. The novel opens with admiration for Freddy, portrayed as exceptionally good-looking and soft-spoken, but gradually reveals his flaws.
The novel introduces unforgettable characters of all ages, each with their own distinctiveness while still conforming to societal norms. Jerbanoo, Freddy’s mother-in-law whom he considers his mortal enemy, proves to be resilient and defies his attempts to cut her off from his family. Despite Freddy’s evil schemes, including setting his shop and home on fire for insurance fraud, Jerbanoo refuses to die and remains a constant presence in his life. The novel explores the complex dynamics between Freddy and Jerbanoo, with episodes depicting the clash of cultural values when Jerbanoo’s traditional Indian beliefs and lifestyle are observed by English people during her brief visit to England.
The story includes encounters with fortune-telling faqirs, clairvoyant Sadhus, sages, and various English and Indian expatriates who attempt to alleviate Jerbanoo’s unhappiness and ailments. The dialogue throughout the novel remains lively and energetic. Although the narrative briefly loses momentum after the fire incident, it picks up again as the children grow up and their voices come to the forefront in subsequent chapters.
“The Crow Eaters” has been labeled as a black comedy by critics due to Sidhwa’s successful infusion of a comic and amusing tone while addressing important themes in the novel. For example, readers may find themselves bursting into laughter when Jerbanoo cries like a baby on the balcony during a fire, and Sidhwa narrates the event with a comedic touch. Another instance occurs when Freddy discusses death with Jerbanoo in an ironic manner. These instances of black comedy are scattered throughout the novel, adding depth and entertainment to the story’s progression.
“The Crow Eaters” by Bapsi Sidhwa is a novel that skillfully combines humor, satire, and emotional development. Sidhwa’s affection for the Parsee community shines through while she also explores the complexities of human nature and societal dynamics. The novel’s portrayal of memorable characters, the use of irony, and the infusion of black comedy make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking piece of literature.
As the writer of this article, Uzma Kayany resides in Lahore and recently had the opportunity to visit Bapsi Sidhwa’s former ancestral home. This personal connection adds to the appreciation of Sidhwa’s work and provides insight into the authenticity and genuineness of her portrayal of the Parsee community and their history.
