Those I Have Lost by Sharon Maas

Setting 

During the Second World War,  Ceylon was a British colony like India. The tea plantations around Kandy were largely owned by English men. They regarded locals beneath them and only worthy for menial jobs. Mingling with them was frowned upon and children of mixed parentage were shunned. After the fall of Singapore, the Japanese conducted air raids over Colombo bringing the war to the shores of Ceylon.  

Storyline

Rosie lived with her family in Madras, India. Her father was a scholar,  mostly lost in the world of books. But her mother, Lucy was her companion and shared a deep connection with her. After Lucy’s sudden and unexpected death, to bring her out of her spell of grief and to honour her mother’s last wish, Rosie was sent to Ceylon to live with Aunt Silvia, her mother’s best friend. Rosie thrives amongst the glorious lush green tea gardens with Aunt Silvia’s two boys. She also forms a friendship with the servant girl Usha. Despite a vast gap between their social standing, they take to each other well. When the war reaches Ceylon, one after the other, all three Huxley brothers enlist themselves. Huxley family was left behind living in constant dread of the inevitable.

My Thoughts

Those I have Lost is like a memoir of a fictional character, Rosie, who grew up in India and Ceylon during World War II.  Rosie’s character is relatable and realistic. She has her set of flaws along with being headstrong and fiercely independent. Her bond with Usha was not of mistress and servant but rather of equals. She never allows her social status to get in the way of their friendship. The British perception of whites being a superior race and natives being beneath them has been described well. The author has eloquently expressed the fears and anxiety of loved ones left behind during the war. The historical facts like the Japanese invasion of Malay, the fall of Singapore or the Burma railway have been seamlessly weaved in the narrative and don't sound like a history lesson. The book is overall slow but then such books are meant to be read at a leisurely pace. 

Rating - 4/5

Recommend -  Yes!