THE MONEY LENDER - MANJU NAMBIAR

 
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Manju Nambiar writes a pithy little book that revolves around a money lender in the state of Kerala, where, under a communist government, the economy suffered. As skilled labourers migrated to the Middle East, a member from almost every family, this particular small town changed its name to ‘Gulf Town’. Money flowed in, and as people became richer, their egos grew, along with their needs. This story is narrated by a prominent person amongst them, the money lender, who found that he could lend money at exorbitant interest rates. “My business grew along with the haughtiness of the Gulf Town”.

The money lender acquired the amusing name of Uncle Scrooge, which quite pleased him as he loved money and felt that the world revolved around it. For that reason alone, he remained a bachelor. This book is a legacy, a collection of his more amusing stories which “reflect our town, our way of living, our thoughts and priorities and our deepest innermost fears.”

In ‘The Brickmaker’, Mr Nair, the brickmaker, back from Dubai, who “had amassed enough wealth and more than enough diseases” and come back to “breathe his home town air for the rest of his life” is the first character in this book. His nephew, Jeevan, is in love with a beautiful dancer, Sheela, but knows his uncle will not approve of her. In what whimsical manner does the money lender handle this situation?

Dr. Vincent Gomez is a respectable Math Professor in the local university with “an account meter running in his head” in the story titled ‘The Professor’. His wife, Mary, is not only the most beautiful woman in the village, but Physics Professor in the same university. Their lovely daughter is an investment banker in a national bank in Qatar. When Mary retires, she began having altercations with her husband. Hence, she decides to go and live with her daughter. A story with an unusual ending!

The next amusing account deals with Mrs. Mahalakshmi Varma who “almost treated her mother in law status as a fulltime career.” ‘The Mother-in-Law’ begins with the hunt for the perfect daughter-in-law. As a result, Naina Nair and Rakesh Varma embark into the holy state of matrimony. Naina visits the moneylender, who describes her as an independent, strong-minded girl. Naina faces problems with her mother-in-law and with her boss, Mr. Menon. Once again, it is the money lender who solves her problem to everyone’s satisfaction.

‘The Cyber Cafe Proprietor’, Kuttan Pillai, is torn between his parents and his love for Alina Muller , a German girl. What happens when he decides to visit her, and experience life in Germany?

The Money Lender’ is a book written in simple English. It deals with an interesting collection of situations and people, accounts compiled by a money lender who believes in the process of making money, but does not wish to lose the things that money can’t buy. If you are looking for a quick delightful read, this is the book for you.

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