Reviews with content warning for Racism - A Disappearance in Fiji

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao

25 reviews

filmcritic23's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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jhbandcats's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The more I learn, the more realize how little I know. I knew nothing about the history of Fiji, its being a colony of England, and its sugar cane economy resting solely on indentured servants from India.

This book delves into all these aspects of life on the island, as shown through the eyes of Akal, a disgraced Indian policeman exiled to Fiji. He doesn’t feel connected to the coolies (the workers) despite their both being Indian. As a higher caste person, he can’t - or won’t - see how similar they are.

Akal is tasked with finding a missing coolie but it turns out to be a more far-reaching case than he first thought. This is where we learn the complicated relationship between Fiji, India, and England. We see the casual racism of the white Europeans for anyone darker, the lack of respect for a policeman who, as an Indian, has “no right” to investigate his white “betters.” This grates on Akal every time but he has to bite his tongue and pretend the racism doesn’t bother him.

There’s a wonderful friendship between Akal (Indian), a fellow policeman (Fijian), and a doctor (Englishman). It illustrates how racial prejudice is something learned, not something inherent. To hear the three laughing together mitigates a tiny bit of the awfulness that has come before.

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nnic's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book has a quote on the cover from Alexander McColl Smith which says that it’s “ charming” and the whole vibe of its cover and blurb gives the impression of a cosy “ death in paradise” type murder story. It is definitely not that. I thought it was excellent, shocking, saddening and illuminating and I am grateful for learning about Fiji and the shocking conditions of the Indian indentured sugar cane workers. Ah just when you think you know the worst about the British Empire something else horrific comes along.
This is a great story with great characters and an interesting plot and setting. Perhaps the beginning of a series. Huge thanks to the author for prompting me to read about Fiji and the Indian indenture programn.

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chronicbookaholic's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

My mum’s dad’s side were indentured labourers in Fiji, so you can say this one hit very close to home.

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kimikat273's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad medium-paced

4.75

After a promising start to his police career in Hong Kong, Sergeant Akal Singh has been sent to Fiji as punishment for a professional mistake. There, he is given all the menial and unimportant jobs by a superior who clearly resents his presence. But when an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation, Akal is sent to investigate, with orders to find out what has happened and wrap it up quickly. As Akal slowly uncovers the truth, it soon becomes apparent that doing the right thing may mean him sacrificing his career.
I really enjoyed this book, and finished it with the knowledge that I had actually learned something I hadn't known about before. Books that open our eyes to something new are really special, aren't they? I liked the two main characters, Akal and the doctor, Robert Holmes. They seemed to bounce nicely off each other, despite their different backgrounds, and many of my favourite pieces of this book involved their quiet moments together. Completing the group is Taviti, a Fijian police officer who delights in teasing Akal. I understand that these three characters will feature in the next book from the author and I'm really looking forward to reading their further adventures!
All in all, this is a great book! My only complaint is that it felt too short - I could have read more and not been bored. Hence my reason for not giving a full five stars. I hope the next book is longer!

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