The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

"The God of Small Things", Arundhati Roy’s debut novel, is one such book. Published in 1997, it won the Booker Prize and quickly became a modern classic.

This novel isn’t just about what happens; it’s about how it happens. It’s about memory, love, caste, and the small moments that shape our lives in ways we don’t realize until it’s too late.

∆ What The God of Small Things is About:

Set in Kerala, India, the novel follows fraternal twins, Estha and Rahel, whose childhood is shattered by a tragic event. The story moves back and forth in time, slowly revealing how one fateful incident changed everything—for them, for their family, and for the people they loved.

At its heart, the novel explores forbidden love, particularly between Ammu, the twins’ mother, and Velutha, a lower-caste man. Their love defies social norms and leads to devastating consequences. Through their story, Roy highlights the rigid caste system, family pressures, and the lasting impact of societal rules.

∆ Why The God of Small Things is More Than Just a Story:

1. The Power of Memory

The novel doesn’t follow a straight timeline; instead, it unfolds in pieces, much like how memories come to us—sometimes sharp, sometimes blurred. Roy masterfully shows how the past is never really in the past.

2. The Politics of Love

Love in The God of Small Things isn’t just about romance—it’s about who is allowed to love whom. Whether it’s Ammu and Velutha, or the bond between the twins, Roy explores how love is shaped (and sometimes destroyed) by society, caste, gender, and family expectations.

3. The Caste System and Social Injustice

Velutha is an “Untouchable”, someone from the lowest caste in India. Even though he is kind, talented, and hardworking, his love for Ammu is seen as unacceptable. Roy doesn’t just tell a love story—she critiques a system that punishes people simply for being born into a certain group.

4. The Beauty of Small Things

The novel pays attention to tiny details—the way sunlight falls on a river, the sound of raindrops, the way children see the world differently from adults. This focus on “small things” reminds us that sometimes, it’s not the big events but the small moments that shape our lives the most.

∆ Why The God of Small Things Still Matters:

Even decades after its release, The God of Small Things remains a powerful reflection on love, loss, and the invisible rules that govern our lives. Its themes of social inequality, family trauma, and forbidden love are still relevant today.