An interesting and unusual Indian novel, told from the point of view of an adult son, about a Roman Catholic Goan family set apart from other families by the manic depression of Em (Imelda) his mother. A large part of the novel focuses on Em's stories of her youth, her work as a teacher and secretary--including her ungrudging handing over of her weekly earnings to her mother, and her unusual and lengthy courtship to "the Hoom". When she's not suicidal or manic, Em is frank, opinionated, and ribald; Hoom, her husband, is steady, capable, and enduring.The narrator and his sister, Susan, have grown up keenly aware that Hoom is the one who has held it all together, and fearful of the burden they would inherit were he to die. Set in Mumbai, this is a character-driven novel without much incident (apart from reminiscences). Cultural details, references, and vocabulary anchor the story in south Asia, but the exploration of this family's struggles has universal resonance.I didn't find the work quite as hilarious and charming as the "blurbers" and, at one point, I considered abandoning it. I am glad I did not, as the conclusion of the book proved to be very satisfying. Rating 3.5/5 Absolutely love the title of this little gem of a book. Bombay, India and a family of four, the son in his twenties, his younger sister, his dad who they call the big hoom and his mother, whose bi-polar illness has effected them all. Love the way this was written, humorously, truthfully but not meant to send the reader into pangs of anguish, Just a young man, concerned that he may develop this illness, asking questions and seeking answers.So much of their lives revolved around the mother's illness, not bringing friends home, always making sure someone was with the mom when she was particularly bad, hospitalizing her when necessary and then visiting so she would not feel abandoned.How did his parent's meet? When did she first show signs? Yet throughout the story one is aware of how very much this family was together, how much love was actually shared and it was all quite poignant and wonderful, if at times a bit melancholy. Mental illness is such an individual thing and this book does a great job at pointing this out.
What do You think about Em And The Big Hoom (2012)?
this was absolutely beautiful. I'm still processing it, but I think this is a must read.
—janet
It gets a four because it is well written but it was a little too sad for me.
—Ben
One of the most beautiful books I have ever read
—Michelle
