Someone once asked me what my mother's greatest legacy to me was, Arundhati Roy said at a private gathering in Delhi. I said an overactive middle finger. This quip opens her new memoir, 'Mother Mary Comes to Me', which chronicles the life of her mother, Mary Roy, a feminist icon and fierce educator. Through this deeply personal narrative, Roy explores the complexities of their relationship, which she describes as a respectful relationship between two nuclear powers.
Mary Roy, a formidable force in her own right, founded a renowned school and won landmark legal battles for women's rights. Despite their tumultuous interactions, Roy writes with a mix of humor and poignancy about their lives. She recalled, One half of me was taking the hit and the other half of me was taking notes. Her memoir becomes more than just a story of her mother; it celebrates the eccentric characters that shaped her upbringing, weaving together memories that challenge conventional narratives.
From her childhood in Kerala to her days in architecture school in Delhi, Roy reflects on the lessons learned from a mother who was both a source of strength and a figure of conflict. Her writing process was messy but vital, allowing her to confront the duality of their bond. 'Mother Mary Comes to Me' ultimately affirms the lasting impact of Mary Roy's legacy, capturing a daughter's love amidst chaos.
Mary Roy, a formidable force in her own right, founded a renowned school and won landmark legal battles for women's rights. Despite their tumultuous interactions, Roy writes with a mix of humor and poignancy about their lives. She recalled, One half of me was taking the hit and the other half of me was taking notes. Her memoir becomes more than just a story of her mother; it celebrates the eccentric characters that shaped her upbringing, weaving together memories that challenge conventional narratives.
From her childhood in Kerala to her days in architecture school in Delhi, Roy reflects on the lessons learned from a mother who was both a source of strength and a figure of conflict. Her writing process was messy but vital, allowing her to confront the duality of their bond. 'Mother Mary Comes to Me' ultimately affirms the lasting impact of Mary Roy's legacy, capturing a daughter's love amidst chaos.