Our International Book of the Month is A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao.
The story follows young Indian police sergeant Akal Singh who, after being deceived by a charming woman into divulging sensitive information that facilitated a series of robberies, finds himself exiled to colonial Fiji, a land and post he despises. When the Fiji Times reports the mysterious disappearance of a young female coolie, rumored to have been kidnapped, Singh's scornful superior assigns him to investigate. Was the woman abducted, or did she elope with the plantation's predatory overseer?
As Singh delves deeper, he is confronted with the stark and brutal realities of the indentured labor system that fuels Fiji's sugarcane industry. Through this journey, his entrenched caste-based oprejudices are challenged, forcing him to recognize the humanity and resilience of those he once viewed with disdain.
Nilima Rao is a Fijian-Indian Australian who has said that before visiting India, she had little interest in her cultural heritage. However, after discovering that some of her ancestors were victims of the indentured servitude system, she became deeply invested in learning about their history. Her debut novel, A Disappearance in Fiji, is rich with historical detail, compelling characters, unexpected plot twists, vivid descriptions of Fiji, and a darn good read.
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