This look at the life of a low caste person, his family and his society in modern India could have been a grim tale of grief, hardship and woe. Although it gives a portrait of a people whose daily existance is of grinding poverty and near starvation, it is an engaging story.
Freeman, an anthopologist, found an uncommon man willing to tell his life history and that man makes the book a good read. Muli, of the Bauri caste, is a character. Unlike his hardworking wife Kia, Muli is a schemer and a liar whose plots and plans often end up costing him more than what he bargained for. Too clumsy to do heavy work without getting hurt, and too lazy to do regular labor, he turneds to pimping Bauri caste women to higher caste (even Braham) men. He's in trouble as often as he is hungry, which is alot. Muli's claims of being a liar and a scoundrel lead Freeman to investigate his stories and discovered that although they were biased favorably towards Muli they were often true. As a social outsider, Muli is scathing in his attacks on the upper castes who befriended him to get prostitiutes, then cheat him out of his payment.
As a scandal and a scamp, Muli's life is interesting but it's also downright painful. His caste suffer greatly at the hands of the higher castes who cheat them whenever they can, while at the same time lusting after their women. The Bauri bow and scrape for their "Masters" but despise them and the system which keeps them down. Often reduced to eating a single meal of watered rice a day, the Bauri suffer great hardships. It made me feel ashamed for wasting one bit of food. Yet, the Bauri still seek for joy and meaning in life while just barely surviving.
Both an interesting view into the life of the common man in India and information on collection good sociological data. It makes me glad that I don't live in a caste society.
(Review copyright 1998 by J.C. James)