July 13, 2012 
“It rained the night they brought me to Bougainvillea House.” The woman in the book declared. That did set the mood of the story
but I was not prepared for the surrealistic, unforgiving world I’d soon slip in. “Rain dripped. Limp, gray strands combed out straight from the algid scalp of house….hanging at the window, whispering scandal, a neighbour who would not go away. Beyond the mesh of water, darkness tucked the world out of sight.” Before long, I get swept into the swirling flood of wrath, deceit, dejection, past and present like a stray leave. It is an oppressive world that engulfs me: the mother, the daughter, the servant, earth, water, trees, rocks and the sky, all are living alike and pregnant with pain. “Rocks toppled, uprooting great chunks of earth, gouging out wounds. Bleeding runnels of water swelled into a flood and then sulked in a stagnant pool in which trees floated, their roots blaming the sky.”
Clarice Aranxa, an aristocratic woman of Portuguese descent, is a puritan with deep abhorrence of bodily passions and hot-blooded Indian prurience. She has led a life of purity with rare concessions to her husband who had betrayed her 37 years ago. She is living with her daughter Marion and her devoted old attendant, Pauline. Clarice has recently been diagnosed with a fatal motor neuron disease, ALS. Rapidly losing control over her muscles, she needs assistance in feeding, dressing and moving around. Her health oscillates between bad and worse but it is clear she is going to die soon. Even though frail and incapacitated, she retains a perturbing sang-froid in the face of death. Her plans for meeting with the Maker are meticulous, right from crème, powder, lipstick to the lingerie: “I’ve laid out my wardrobe for my positively last appearance above ground: Black raw silk suit, the one Lydia tailored for Christmas …. Ivory crepe blouse, with lace cuffs… Estee Lauder it’s always been for me, same as Elizabeth Taylor, and I’m not changing brands now…. My underwear must be white, of cotton. No slinky whorish stuff in the presence of our Lord. I don’t mind a little borderie anglaise let into the cups, it’s not disrespectful, but nothing beyond that. Not like Angie D’Monte, remember? They buried her in her nightie and you could see right through –the dark bits of her tits and everything.”
Marion, her daughter decides to move her to their old bungalow near a Goan beach, to make her last days peaceful. Her neurologist Dr Khan entrusts her to a cheerful young doctor to make matters smooth at Goa. Serene as it may sound, Bougainvillea House resurrects old ghosts from Clarice’s live. It seems a deep old wound is still raw in her bosom and to make matters worse, the wrongs inflicted upon her seem to have borne repugnant flowers that persistently mock at her now. In a surprising turn, the frail, incapacitated woman decides to put matters at peace in a chilling manner as the doctor responsible for her upkeep kills himself by jumping in a well; the same that had swallowed Clive, circa 1962. Slowly but surely, the realisation begins to creep on us that we could be rubbing shoulders with a remorseless psychopath rather than a crumbling old woman hurtling fast to her death.
Eventually, the intense psychological landscape gives way to a riveting murder mystery where Liaqat Khan, the neurologist, decides to play Sherlock Holmes. As death starts paying repeated visits, the hastily assembled team of a doctor, a nurse, a crook-cum-aide and a high-ranking police officer set to unravel the riddle. To his credit, Liaqat is smart enough to read her for what she is and eventually cracks the mystery too, but he fails to check a resolute Clarice from executing her last mission.
The book is clearly perceived in two halves the first of which is an intense psychological tornado driven by decades of angst, pain, memories, delusions, truths and half-truths. The character of Clarice assumes such strengths that it permeates the walls and roofs of Bougainvillea House. Her angst spills out of her thoughts and rides the very air of the bungalow, the beach, the doomed clearing amidst the grove and the dilapidated well to which we’d return again and again as if possessed. The many-layered, many-hued persona of Clarice Aranxa is one of the most memorable characters I have come across in recent works of fiction. Like a complex ball of tangled wool, she is mysterious, pathetic, terrifying, dignified and disgusting, all at the same time. “So many truths, to so many people, which one shall I choose for you?”
And it is probably the most haunting rendering I have ever come across on the human journey into that final night. Bougainvillea House can claim a place among the classics on the sheer strength of its exploration of a tormented mindscape.
Kalpana Swaminathan has an astounding repertoire of words and her control over the language is absolute. It is evident in the range of situations she weaves with precision and impact, time and again. Be it painting complex landscapes of human mind or writing clinical case histories, her brush is quick to deliver. In this case, she leaves the reader in no doubt of the morbid gloom clouding Calrice’s heart and she has effectively cast the pall as well as the magic across those pages. Her imageries are potent as they ascribe human emotions to the elements of nature which in turn amplify the human predicament. Her humour is both dry and black and forceful on each occasion. She is a realist who is acutely aware of life and many a nemesis that challenge it, including death. She naturally holds the reader in a trance and like a magician swings him with the swishes of her wand.
My verdict: It is a delicious double sundae consisting of a riveting crime thriller and an amazing psychological landscape. It is definitely one of the best works I have ever read in either case.
Bougainvillea House
Author: Kalpana Swaminathan
Publisher: Penguin Books India
Pages: 346
your review makes me want to go and read this book right now ! This review could not have come at a better time. I am through with all my books and was wondering what to read next !
Ruchira, it is an unforgettable book. It is a must, must read. Do go ahead and pick it up right away!
What a great review of a great book, Umashankar. In my opinion, this book ranks right up there with the best and Kalpana is the best Indian writer we have in the genre of crime fiction. And having read this book, I can say that your reveiw is spot on.
Now, do you want to read her other books too? I could lend them to you like before
Sudhagee, I thank you once more for introducing me to the art of Kalpana Swaminathan. She is the best Indian writer of not only crime fiction, but psychological brooding also. Thanks, yet again, for your magnanimous offer: I am still to complete Cryptic Death! And I have pulled Venus Crossing from an online bookstore too.
Sounds like a really good books, and I love thrillers. I shall place it on my reading list. Thanks for the review.
Rachna, this one is going to thrill you to the core. You are going to love it for more than that reason.
I am intrigued, more than that reason meaning?
I mean it is much more than a thriller. It is a haunting string of soliloquies of a woman in the twilight of her life.
I just got it from the library
.
Take the plunge. (I am not giving away anything!:)
I finished reading it. It was awesome. The second half really picks up pace, and the end was quite unexpected. Thanks for recommending it. Now I know that I can really trust your reviews
.
Sounds like a treat for all avid book lovers. from your review i had a fair idea of the quality of this book. brilliant review once again.
Deb, Bougainvillea House is a treat to all book lovers, Indian and International. It is sad how unsung an author Kalpna Swaminathan is. She is definitely at par with the best in the world. Thanks for appreciating the review. I hope you will read it too one of these days.
Dear Umashankar ji,
What a lovely, detailed and graphic review. You have reviewed the book with such a splendid eye for details. Will surely read the book now.
Thank you, Anupam, for your generous compliment. It is a rich and complex book, even if exciting. I have tried to do briefly cover the significant facets of the work.
Again, another great review from you. If you say, I bet the book is going to be a treat..will get it with my son when he comes back from vacation and hopefully complete it…:)
Latha, Don’t miss this one, its a rare gem. Should I wait for your review then?
Haha..by then, the author will have published a triology or her next book too..and I don’t think I am capable of doing a review esp. for a great writer..:)
Your review has matched the lyricism that you attribute to the author. Great review, makes me want to lay my hands on the book right now!
Honestly, Suresh, my review is not even a patch to this beautiful book. For the life of you, do not miss it!
That is one glowing review. I need to stop playing stupid games on my iPad and start reading! Sounds like a good fresh start. Btw when did you and SudhaG meet?
Thanks, Richa. That is a scintillating book and the glow is merely a reflected glory!
Bougainvillea House was shipped to me in a book exchange deal!
It’s noted down
Thank you.
That is a great note you made.
Added to my “to read”list. Liked your review.
Thank you, Rakesh. This one will surely add a glow to your list.
Excellent review, umashankar. Think I will check it out.
Thanks for the appreciation, TF. Do go ahead!
Donot know about the book, but your review made me want to pick this one up
Just keep Bougainvillea House in mind next time you visit a bookstore. You’ll never rue it.
That sounds good. I’m going to read that. I havent read anything by the author and Ive now decided to keep up with her works. Thanks for the intorduction
Varsha, I am convinced Kalpana Swaminathan is one of the best we have. She will never disappoint you. Do go ahead.
so..
Bougainvillea House…………….
target set..
thanks for ur strong suggestion.
hope i won’t regret
anu
Regret you will not. Battle Speed!
Sounds very interesting.
Essentially, that means I can sound interesting. Blame the book!
Thanks for this review Umashankar ji —-one is tempted to read this book as soon as possible
Thanks for your confidence in me, Rajni. Give form to your temptation.
I found a number of her books including Bougainvillea House on Amazon, I also found the Taj Conspiracy there. So I’m going to treat myself to some books. Thanks
Meera, Bougainvillea House will be a treat all right! I get my books from Flipkart.com: none can beat them for their lightening fast service and reliability. You may get a cheaper deal at Landmarkonthenet, if time is not a consideration. Thanks for stopping by.
WOW! Sounds like a dark thriller! Loved your crisp review!
That is an apt summation, Deepak. Thanks.
Great review. On my reading list. Thanks.
Thanks Kavita. Forget it not!
Compelling review….indeed a double sundae is what I need.
Thanks Alka. The double sundae is waiting for you!
I have not read any work of the author but your review is compelling enough to pick up this book .
I was in the same state as yours a month ago. Now I am deep in her third book, Venus Crossing and as they say, ‘I’m loving it!’
Sounds like a great book and certainly a great review. But haven’t you given away too much ? I mean, when does one get to know that Clarice is (probably) a psychopathic killer ?
Fortunately, part of the mystery lies in learning the truth about Clarice. So, I have not given away too much at all! And If I were to explain further, I may start spoiling it. Also remember, the book is not just a crime thriller. The intense psychological landscape painted by the author represents a higher beauty which alone will transfix you.
Hi umashanker
I somehow missed this post Oops ! Till I saw ur tweet
Your review is as always impeccable . I usually borrow books . The libraries here at Singapore have an excellent collection . Will try reading this one . I like murder mysteries . But if it’s a very very emotional heart wrenching read with a tragic end , it would not be my cup of tea 
Fear not. It will not wrench your heart. On the contrary, you will admire the sang-froid of the protagonists.
how much i wish i had time to read good books.. waiting for my daughter to grow up and spare me with “my time”.. so book name goes straight into my dairy under to read list..
Here is wishing you get all the time to read the good books including this one!
Once I finish my training, I have promised my self to spend that time on reading some good books, I just haven’t had time to read in the last few years now .. although I have bought a lot of them , they are sitting on the shelf.
This one seems to be a good book Will add to the To buy list and see how it goes .. thanks for the review.
Cheers Bikram, I read a lot and still have over 25 books languishing on my shelf! For every book I finish I buy two more and the obsession could be getting pathological. Can you fault me though when there are so many promising books waiting to be pulled off the online bookstores that are only an impulse away? This one was a borrowed one, however.
It is a pleasure to have you as a visitor. Thank you for reading and believing in me.
I always believe you sir..
There was a time when I used to have 25 books on my shelf, because this is the limit of books you can borrow from libraries here, but these days I only envy people who read books :-/
The law of nature says that the pendulum of life usually traces its path back. May your shelf prosper with a hundred books again.
Wow Umashankar. You have a great gift in you. Be it a story, an emotion, a poem or a review. You breathe life into it. You just brought the book alive in front of me. This is not just another review of the book. You bring out the soul of the book covering its every intricate layer and shade. As a connoisseur of crime stories, your fitting review is enough to convince me of the quality of this book and the skill of the author. Thank you very much for introducing me to this gem unknown to me so far.
Raj, words like those are elixir to the ears of a small scribbler like me. Million thanks to you! It is a potent book that will hold the reader’s mind in most cases. It is a rare gem indeed.
What a brilliant review, Umashankar! I have been wanting to lay my hands on a copy of this book ever since I read some reviews on the internet and newspaper. Now, you have tempted me considerably…. so, here I come Flip Kart …… Thanks for this !
Many thanks to you Panchali. I feel proud to have swayed you towards finally reading the book.
Interesting read… Hadn’t heard of the book till now. Will lookout for it. Cheers!
Raghav, I received it in my post before I’d ever heard about it, thanks to my blogger friend. After that, it didn’t take long for it to have me riveted.
Dear Mr Pandey,
This novel seems to be loaded with a rare degree of empathy, intuition and literary style. It illuminates a wider, deeper human psyche apart from being a thriller.
Wish i could read it right now!
Very balanced review.
Mr Verma, How I also wish you could read this book right now! Yes, as you rightly observed, it is much more than a thriller.
Superb review i will read it
It will be worth it.
This is a wonderful review!! I will keep my eyes peeled for this book now!! I love the description, it seems like the book had you within its spell for a long time.
It is all in the mind, NM. Anyone exploring those intimidating tracts captures me quick. Kalpna Swaminathan is unlikely to disappoint you.
What a brilliant review. I didnt know that this was a thriller and had a psychological landscape to it. I always dismissed it as a typical indian novel about an old house and old family histories come to haunt the present. Reading this review completely rubbishes all my notions. I will definitely try and read this. Thanks for the review.