The East Indian by Brinda Charry

 

Title:  The East Indian

Author:  Brinda Charry

Narrated by:  Vikas Adam

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 44 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio.  Thank you @simonandschuster #BookClubFavorites for the free books!

What is your favorite adventure or travel novel, movie or show?  I really enjoyed The Eat Indian by Brinda Charry and another book I loved in the past was The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

The East Indian is an intriguing adventure historical fiction novel.   Tony is a young man growing up in India.  His life is thrown into turmoil after his mother’s death.  He soon finds himself on the way to England in a new position as a servant.  While in England, he soon finds himself kidnapped off the streets of London and sent to the new world of America.  Working as an indentured servant in America, Tony dreams of becoming a physician’s assistant.  He faces many dangers and hardships, but also finds love and hope.

 Vikas Adam was a good audiobook narrator.  It was an interesting audiobook to listen to.  I am ready for more!  Strangely the audiobook didn’t have the great author’s note that is at the end of the physical book.   I am always intrigued to learn that the past was a lot more diverse than many people realize.  “Tony” is the earliest known mention of an East Indian in America.  He was brought over in 1635 by Gorge Menefe to work as an indentured servant in Virginia.  There were many other East Indians living and working in colonial America and involved in the Revolutionary War.

It was eye opening looking into how indentured servants made it to America and how they were treated.  Tony has a young friend named Sammy who was also kidnapped with him.  He really wants to hear from his family back in England.  He is not treated kindly by his overseer which leads to devastating consequences.  

It was also eye opening to see how Tony was treated.  Most people did not know what ethnicity he was and made various assumptions about him.  Tony just wanted to have the same opportunities as all settlers.

I loved the adventure of this book as Tony continually discovers new places.  One of my favorite bits is when he goes west to explore with his master.  It’s also a coming-of-age story as Tony grows into a man and identifies what kind of life he wants.

Overall, The East Indian is a great coming-of-age historical fiction adventure story set in the 1600’s. I would love to read more of Tony’s story or of his family through time.  I’ll be looking for what author Brinda Charry writes next.

Favorite Quote:

“I will go home now – the western sky is flush with light and my wife and child are waiting.”