Quartet

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Colonialism, spirituality and the exotic all blend together in this novella by Indian writer Tagore (1861-1941), who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The book centers on the relationship between Sachish, a golden boy with Brahmin features and his friend and admirer Sribilash (who also serves as the book's narrator). Both are students at college in Calcutta. Deeply influenced by his uncle Jagmohan, Sachish is an atheist, believing human reason to be the supreme good. These beliefs soon bring him into tension with his father. Finally conflict over the fate of Noni, a widowed girl who has suffered abuse and whom Jagmohan and Sachish attempt unsuccessfully to save from disgrace, ruptures familial relations entirely. When Jagmohan dies shortly after Noni, a void is left in the young man's life. He is drawn into the circle of the mystical Swami Lilananda, and Sribilash is drawn with him. Conflict again looms, however, when Sribilash is attracted to Damini, whom Sachish calls ``a celebrant of the vital force.'' In a supple translation, this work will come to the attention of many American readers for the first time. Tagore shows himself to be a stylist of rare wit, irony and grace. (Jan.)