Book Review of The D’Costa Family novel

The D'Costa Family is her debut novel, with three more in the pipeline.Drawing on her experience as a scriptwriter for films, Rochelle has produced a highly readable novel a rambunctious, Bollywood-style comedy with dark undercurrents.The two families locked in conflict are the Anglo-Indian Josephs and the Goan D'Costas.Rochelle may well have found in spiration in Salman Rushdie, for Joseph D'Costa is a character in Midnight's Children.She possesses formidable linguistic ability, a strong storytelling instinct, and impressive control over plot and narrative.Let us also remind ourselves, as Nietzsche knew, that no writer is free from the confessional habit.Callian, where much of the action unfolds, is in fact Kalyan, the Bombay suburb where Rochelle was raised in a Goan landlord's home.She has said that from the eccentrics of this community, she has through the application of imagination created a gangster world filled with dark secrets, mysteries, affairs, and, yes, murders.Rita loves Roberto and is pregnant with his child, but on the day of her marriage she discovers that the entire Anglo-Indian Joseph estate has been burnt down by Theodore, the D'Costa Don, who watches the conflagration with satisfaction.Before his death, Theodore appoints Pedro as successor, but the will stipulates that a re-election must take place within three months of his demise.For the moment, Pedro assumes control, and Rita faces the prospect of dependency on him.As part of Rita's grand design for vengeance, she, supporting Jason, urges the tenants to vote against Pedro.The flesh and blood of the novel lie in its details.Rochelle draws us into the mysteries of Burgundy Estate and its inhabitants in small, suggestive doses.Rita plays a dangerous and vicious role in her pursuit of revenge.Pedro is brutal and aggressive, yet spineless when faced with imminent