Sai

[Rachel-K]

In many ways, our most central character is also the least developed character of the novel--but of course, she is very young!

Is this a coming-of-age novel for her? Would you agree that she is the central character of the novel, or simply the character we happen to open the novel with?

Do you have hopes for her love story--or is it beside the point?

Her closest relationship in the novel may be with the cook. Do they genuinely care for each other, or are they simply keeping each other company?

[bentley]

---

rkubie wrote:
In many ways, our most central character is also the least developed character of the novel--but of course, she is very young!

Is this a coming-of-age novel for her? Would you agree that she is the central character of the novel, or simply the character we happen to open the novel with?

Do you have hopes for her love story--or is it beside the point?

Her closest relationship in the novel may be with the cook. Do they genuinely care for each other, or are they simply keeping each other company?

---

Somewhere I read that Sai's name came in part from the last part of Kiran Desai's last name. I am wondering if the author didn't see some of herself in this central character.

What I have also learned is that Sai's parents were killed somehow and she came to live with the judge. I am not sure yet the family relationship.

Sai seems pretty isolated and afraid of the judge. She sets up a separate existence in the house and seems to understand where the cook is coming from. I think she is lonely and melancholy, the only female in a less than feminine environment. She does stand up to the police and to the boy thieves. I think she has a lot of gumption for a young girl. Right now, I think she feels that love will release her from her sense of isolation and loss.

As I learn more about her, I will add to this section. But I think it is suffice to say that she views herself as alone in the world even though she is living with others.

Bentley