The Cauliflower®
This is a historical novel like no other I have read. The author herself suggests that the book is more a collage, with excerpts from the Song of Solomon and many (not particularly good) haikus punctuating a narrative best described as non-linear. And what’s with the ® that pops up whenever the title is mentioned?
Despite its idiosyncrasies, it’s an easy read, telling us the story of the life of Sri Ramakrishna, an Indian sage (guru? saint? incarnation of God?) of the 19th century. Ramakrishna is still revered throughout the world, so it’s brave to produce a novel which at least allows for the possibility that he was, at best, deluded and, at worst, suffering from quite serious neurological problems. Or was he? The book raises more questions than it answers, which is probably the right way around when you’re dealing with an important religious figure. Ramakrishna taught through parables and play, and Nicola Barker seems to adopt the same approach. I certainly found I was learning more about Hinduism than I realised, although a serious student of either the religion or the man would probably be better off with a less eccentric approach. (There’s a decent bibliography for anyone who wants to pursue it.)
I am all too aware that this is a very short review of a very serious work, but the way it is written (did I mention the extended quote from Bleak House? Or the 1855 swift flying with a tiny camera to show us the view?) defies a regular review. I was very nervous starting out to read this, but I soon came to enjoy the unconventional style. Definitely worth a go.
