Community Cohesion
New Arrivals On West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva is a powerful, heartfelt historical novel that I read in just one sitting. I am hoping there will be many more books to follow.
The tale is set just before the outbreak of World War II. We begin the novel in India in 1937, following a young girl who is employed as a nanny to two small boys, whose parents are English. Unrest in India sees the family boarding a ship to England as they make hollow promises to the nanny. Once on the shores of England, she is left to fend for herself.
The vibrancy of India contrasts with the greyness of England. “Everything is coated in a grey mist, a far cry from the ubiquitous orange dust of India.”
England is an inhospitable place for those whose skin colour is not white, and whose accent is not English.
As the streets of London are traversed, we move towards the docklands. Here, the streets are not paved with gold but the hearts are filled with love.
It is a very cosmopolitan area, populated by those whom society has marginalized – the Irish, African, India, Chinese and more. Here, the lost and lonely find a place to call home.
It is not all a bed of roses as there is gang warfare and racial discrimination. Gangs of white youths resent immigrants from taking ‘their jobs’ on-board boats. “They talk with their fists and not their mouths. They see our colour; they don’t see us.”
The cosmopolitan community is treated abominably by some. “They cannot see past colour, identity, to humanity.” We see that some “make fun of her just because the colour of her skin is a darker shade than theirs… Isn’t the colour of the blood… the same?”
People are quick to judge when tragedy strikes. They believe a false narrative and not the truth. Characters fight for justice.
As the novel ends, World War II is just beginning. Characters fear another war so fast on the heels of World War I. Communities are still reeling from the loss of a generation of young men, when along comes another war to steal the next generation of young men.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and believable. The leading lady, though small in stature was hugely brave, unswervingly loyal and had a big heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed New Arrivals On West India Dock Road. It was a powerful read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
New Arrivals on West India Dock Road
The first in a BRAND NEW historical series from Renita D’Silva
Welcome to West India Dock Road, in London’s East End.
An array of businesses lines this crooked street: a butcher’s, a sailmaker’s, a Jewish shop, a Chinese hostelry, a lodging house for people of all nationalities. A snatch of song wafts from a music hall, mingling with the scent of the public house nearby, the swell of the Thames and the call of seagulls. The air tastes of yearning…
1938: Divya has made the long sea journey from India to England, employed as a nanny by a British family. But once they arrive, she is cruelly abandoned, with no means to return home. Afraid and alone, she faces prejudice and rejection… until she finds her way to an Irish-run boarding house on West India Dock Road and meets Jack, Charity and a host of unexpected friends.
Divya is a good cook, and preparing meals for the other immigrants, homesick for the food they were raised on, gives her a new sense of hope and purpose. In time, she opens a thriving curry house, beloved by the local communities.
But as war in Europe looms, Divya’s fragile sense of belonging – through her business, her friendships and budding romance with sailor Raghu – comes under threat.
A world away from home, will she ever truly find happiness in life, on West India Dock Road?
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/newarrivalswestindia
Author Bio –
Renita d’Silva is an award-winning author of historical fiction, often set partly in India, where she is from.
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