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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Deflected by Swapnonil Banerjee and Nivedita Majumdar is a historical fiction novel set in mid-19th-century colonial India, revolving around several interconnected storylines. Amid growing political unrest, Radhanath, a prominent Indian mathematician, battles personal turmoil due to feelings for Englishwoman Sara Langley, while Lawrence Cockerel, Calcutta's police chief, navigates increasing discontent among Indian sepoys and his relationship with Shashibala, a prostitute. Chandrakanta Raychaudhuri, a zamindar, advocates for Indian independence while plotting against British rule. When a critical encounter involving Sara and Radhanath at a local restaurant occurs, it is the catalyst for a journey to a tower in Sukhchar, which becomes the target of a rebellion led by Chandrakanta, Dubois, and others. The climax unfolds with betrayal, death, death and Radhanath wrestling with his experiences and relationships amidst the ensuing chaos.
Deflected by Swapnonil Banerjee and Nivedita Majumdar reads a lot like classic literary fiction. The narrative shares the same density of text that contemporary work has shifted mostly to dialogue, and the descriptive elements and action are provided by the narrator outright. It is telling over showing, but given the literary structure of the novel, it does work. I was born and raised in South Asia and am always drawn to fiction written in English by South Asian authors, who are woefully underrepresented and almost exclusively relegated to the technical non-fiction genres. Radhanath is a worthy protagonist who I did like, and the complexity of everything he was up against resonated. The best aspect of Deflected is the blend of real moments in history with fiction, so while we know what might be coming at a macro level, the sharp twist and change in Radhanath is a genuine surprise. It is also deeply human. This book is a slow-burning, methodical piece that will likely resonate with readers who enjoy the classics and a more introspective brand of historical fiction.
