The year is 1986, and Marlo, a 29-year-old of Irish descent but born in England, acquires a cottage in the secluded Beara Peninsula. His world is turned upside down when he finds out his sister is in fact his mother, with his father’s identity remaining a mystery. A spontaneous decision drives him to reside in Ireland.
On reaching Glengarriff, Marlo is introduced to a society deeply rooted in religion but also known for its irreverence, vivacity, and magnanimity. Despite initial acceptance of outsiders, including his Dutch neighbours and the retired English couple who managed the estate, occasional racist remarks lurk in the background echoing the sentiments “Memories are long, and tongues longer still.”
Marlo is a freelance journalist by profession but lands a job as a gardener on the estate. There, he gets acquainted with Kitty, a single mother bearing the brunt of long-standing prejudice. Following the sudden death of a local bus driver, Mossie, the responsibility falls on Marlo. In dealing with the local animals, and Sully, Kitty’s six-year-old mute son, Marlo’s inherent goodness shines through.
The plot intensifies as the story incorporates elements from the 17th century. A mute by the same name, Sully, surfaces. He managed to escape a carnage by Crown forces on his native island of Dursey, while on the run with his father who was bound to safeguard his lord O’Sullivan’s wife and infant. As the past gets intertwined with the present, it illuminates the symbolical significance of inheritance and the burdens we trail.
Author Cauvery Madhavan, raised by a military father, is no stranger to migration. Just like her earlier works, her main focus revolves around themes such as conflict and identity. Madhavan also dwells lightly on the emotional wounds across generations triggered by instances of religious hypocrisy, guilt, and regret. Despite her Indian origin, Madhavan’s years residing in Ireland grants her a distinct understanding of Irish colloquialism: “Nothing like an old wound that’s kept well-salted.”
Although Marlo’s physical traits are not depicted and his burgeoning bond with Kitty feels overly shy, I found myself enthralled by Madhavan’s vivid description of the location: “…hazel and willow striding directly toward the cliffs.” This engaging tale about the chaotic happenings in the early 1600s and the prevailing fear in the area is sure to intrigue history buffs. ‘The Inheritance’ is, above all, a heartfelt homage to west Cork. Tied to the Wind by Afric McGlinchey, published by Broken Sleep Books, is her most recent work.