Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry

Family Matters is a novel by Rohinton Mistry, first published in 2002. The novel tells the story of the Vakeel family, who are Parsis living in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. The patriarch of the family, Nariman, is an elderly man who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is dependent on his stepchildren, Jal and Coomy, for his care.

The novel explores the complex relationships between family members and the tensions that arise as they struggle to balance their own desires and responsibilities with their obligations to each other. As Nariman’s health deteriorates, Jal and Coomy become increasingly resentful of the burden of caring for him, and their own personal conflicts are brought to the surface.

At the same time, Nariman’s biological children, Roxana and Yezad, are dealing with their own challenges. Roxana is struggling to make ends meet and care for her own family, while Yezad is dealing with financial troubles and a crisis of faith.

As the family members navigate their various conflicts and responsibilities, they are forced to confront the question of what it means to be a family and the sacrifices that come with that bond.

Family Matters is a poignant and insightful novel that explores themes of family, love, duty, and sacrifice. Mistry’s prose is lyrical and evocative, and he paints a vivid picture of life in modern-day Bombay. The novel was well-received by critics and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2002.