Pears from the Willow Tree [a novel]

Seb, the protagonist of this Goan-Indian novel, is a member of the Indian “lost generation” caught between cultures, religions, and epochs. Struggling against the Western-style materialism and spiritual corruption he sees everywhere in the postimperial era, he becomes a teacher at a Gandhian-inspired school in the interior. There, both he and his “slow” students embark on a journey of self-discovery. The book poignantly conveys Lannoy’s belief that, while broader and deeper knowledge might lead most immediately to the discovery of tragedy and injustice, it can also open new worlds and lead to a better future.

A glossary acquaints the reader with Indian and Goan customs and traditions, and a biographical essay by the author’s husband, Richard Lannoy, introduces the novel. Peter Nazareth, who “discovered” the work, has provided a critical afterword.