A Different Kind of Madness
This novel is set in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the 1960s, although the narrative timeline does jump back at times. Greta van Buuren is the central character, and she is the embodiment of a society which is coming to an end. She is a Burgher, mixed-race but privileged and wealthy, but now the country has become unsafe for these people, it seems, and many are making plans to leave.
There are mentions of an impending civil war, but the reasons for it are not really examined in much detail, and the political issues are not explored in depth. The Sinhalese and the Tamils are mentioned, as are a few other topical issues, such as the necessity to be white enough in background to be admitted to Australia: “We have to be eighty per cent European, I believe, to qualify”. I did not finish the book understanding more about the issues of Ceylon, however. The focus is more on character and inner feelings and thoughts rather than the setting.
Unfortunately, Greta is quite an unpleasant character, unable to love her daughter Leila and seemingly only interested in herself and her own happiness. The novel basically covers her husband Jeff coming to the decision to leave their homeland and eventually informing her about it. There are some other sub-plots such as Greta’s unsavoury past and how she is abused by an older man, and the theme of family relationships is also explored in some depth. This is the second novel from this author, the first being The Other Side of Silence.
