The Crow Eaters

Funny. In fact, it was often very funny. The book recounts the life (told in retrospect) of Freddy Junglewalla, the patriarch of a Parsi family in Pakistan from the early 20th century up to independence. It begins with the migration of a young (and very ambitious) Freddy from the country to the city of Lahore. Freddy, of course, is accompanied by his pregnant wife and his simultaneously hilarious and infuriating mother-in-law. The focus of the story, in many ways, is the relationship between Freddy and his mother-in-law, as he arrives penniless and becomes a successful, wealthy merchant.

I really enjoyed this story, once the characters - Faredoon 'Freddy' Junglewalla, a young Parsi businessman living in India at the turn of the twentieth century, and his extended family - were established. More like a series of comedic vignettes than a family saga, The Crow Eaters is slightly Wodehousian in its humour, but also reminded me of the sense of family and local community in Jane Austen's novels. Great fun.

A charming novel about life in India at the beginning of the 20th century. The focus of the book is the Parsi community, a religious minority with distinct customs that make them mysterious outsiders wherever they go. The protagonist is the patriarch Faredoon "Freddy" Junglewalla, who decides to move his small family to Lahore to seek his fortune. We follow his family as it grows and his business as the stars favor him with success.

The story is light and funny although sometimes it deals with very serious issues of poverty and abuse. Through the lives of the Junglewallas the reader experiences the time period, which is fraught with change and uncertainty. Ultimately, it is a lovely slice of live that gives insights into a fascinating show more culture and setting. show less

Humorous at many levels, this book is written in pseudo-colonial elegant prose taking on the airs of the diplomatic service, which makes its romps into the day to day life of an Indian merchant trying to grow a business in the midst of British rule, an over-the-top caricature of a mother in law that will amaze even the most experienced reader, and various sons and daughters and relatives. Freddy Junglewalla is a Parsi whose early challenges with his mother in law are fairly black but unexpectedly pave the way toward a future of mostly fortune, mostly peace, and some small amount of fame. While Freddy is a bit laconic, his daughter in law, mother in law, rebelled son, and plot twists make up for Freddy's quiet approach as he ages. A show more tightly packed story full of humor and some disturbing thoughts and actions, wonderfully written and kept just to the right length. show less

At the dawn of the 20th century in Pakistan, Freddy Junglewalla moves his family † pregnant wife, baby daughter, and Jerbanoo, his rotund mother-in-law † from their ancestral forest home to cosmopolitan Lahore

According to the Spectator, 'An excellent novel one can wholeheartedly enjoy rather than respectfully admire.' I think that sums things up quite neatly.

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From the Publisher
At the dawn of the 20th century in Pakistan, Freddy Junglewalla moves his family † pregnant wife, baby daughter, and Jerbanoo, his rotund mother-in-law † from their ancestral forest home to cosmopolitan Lahore. He opens a store, and as his fortunes grow, so does the animosity between Freddy and his mother-in-law. While Freddy prospers under British rule, life with the domineering Jerbanoo is another matter entirely. This exuberant novel, full of rollicking humor, paints a vivid picture of life in the Parsee community.