Someone once asked me what my mother's greatest legacy to me was, Arundhati Roy shared in Delhi, quoting her mother as having passed on an 'overactive middle finger'. This wry humor sets the tone for her new memoir, 'Mother Mary Comes to Me', which tells the extraordinary story of her dynamic and complex mother, Mary Roy—feminist icon, educator, and eccentric spirit.
Arundhati Roy, known for her acclaimed Booker Prize-winning novel 'The God of Small Things', returns after two decades, presenting not a hagiography but a candid exploration of their tumultuous relationship. Describing it as 'a respectful relationship between two nuclear powers', she blends warmth with naughtiness, depicting their lives filled with humor and elementary struggles.
Mary Roy, who founded a notable school in Kerala and won pivotal legal battles for women's rights, was also a fierce figure who fiercely challenged societal norms. Her struggles—both personal and professional—serve as a backdrop to Arundhati’s memories, revealing how her mother's complex character shaped her worldview and the author she has become.
As Arundhati recalls living with Mary, she asserts it was a survival act: One half of me was taking the hit and the other half of me was taking notes. This poignant duality permeates the memoir, showcasing Mary Roy as a woman of contradictions who inspired both fear and admiration.
The memoir reflects on Roy's childhood in Ayemenem, shaped by vibrant characters and personal tales as absurd as life itself. It's interspersed with memories of her youth, covering her time in architecture school and the peculiar personalities that dotted her life, painting a rich tapestry of experiences that influenced her literary voice.
Ultimately, 'Mother Mary Comes to Me' is a testament to the unyielding bond of motherhood, marking Mary Roy's legacy both as a bright spark in her daughter's journey and as a celebrated figure in her own right. With the release of her memoir, Arundhati Roy celebrates not just the loss of her mother but ensures that the ripples of Mary Roy's existence will persist on every page.
