Someone once asked me what my mother's greatest legacy to me was, Arundhati Roy remarked during a private gathering in Delhi. I said an overactive middle finger. This opening quip sets the tone for her new memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me, which explores the dynamic and often challenging relationship with her mother, Mary Roy, a notable feminist and educator.
The memoir is a blend of humor, poignant emotional moments, and revealing anecdotes about Mary Roy, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 88. Arundhati describes her mother as my shelter and my storm, illustrating the complexity of their bond.
Having won the Booker Prize for her debut novel in 1997, Roy has written extensively on political and social issues, but this memoir delves into her personal life, particularly the influence of her mother's powerful personality. Establishing their relationship as one characterized by both admiration and conflict, Roy writes, It is not a hagiography, but a raw account of our bond. She reflects on how this relationship has shaped not only her life but her identity as a writer.
Mary Roy broke societal norms in her quest for independence, leaving her marriage and founding a school that provided education for girls in a male-dominated society. Her vibrant and fiery personality comes to life through Arundhati's memories, painting a vivid picture of a woman who faced challenges with tenacity.
Amidst the one-liners and humor, the memoir reveals the deep emotional scars that shaped Roy's perspective as a writer. One half of me was taking the hit and the other half of me was taking notes, she candidly states, underscoring a lifetime of observation and introspection.
As Arundhati Roy embarks on a new chapter in her literary career, she honors her mother’s legacy while navigating the complicated landscape of love, identity, and the act of writing itself. The memoir, more than just a personal chronicle, unveils a universal narrative about the bonds that shape us and the stories that ultimately define our voices.
