Kiran Desai, Malu Fernandez

Kiran Desai's account of Biju's trip, from New York-London-Frankfurt-Abu Dhabi- Dubai- Bahrain-Karachi-Delhi-Calcutta, is hilarious and sad. Biju's destination is Kalimpong - no planes going there. Did Indians think it is malicious for Kiran Desai to tell it like it is?

I was a bit offended by the article written by Malu Fernandez. The poor woman had to resign. Yes, I called for her to be fired or something. Or am I losing my sense of humor? Both the color line and the class line are very distinct features of Philippine society, not always so subtle either, even abroad.

After reading Kiran's novel, "The Inheritance of Loss" - I came to the realization that we all look at ourselves, other people and our surroundings through the filters of the familiar, our experiences and aspirations.

The novel turned out to be a powerful work of what happens to people and places when cultures collide - and when the filters no longer hold a filament of truth. Only love of family and the mountain peaks proved to be true.

I think it is very healthy sign when an author can actually look at her culture's and people's features honestly; and find humor and pathos alongside each other.

Maybe, just maybe, this is what Malu Fernandez was trying to say in her article????