The Plucker

The Plucker

From the World of Spilt Milk

by D. K. Cassidy

Review by Barry Boy

In The Plucker, we meet Pria, an Indian girl living with her family in the USA. She has several issues, which seem to stem from her parents’ ethnic origin, which they still adhere to. Pria finds things such as saris and curry embarrassing as she tries to blend in with the white American majority around her. She is particularly conscious of the colour of her skin and fantasises about being a white-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed princess.

These tensions and internal conflicts lead to her developing several Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, which also bother her, while providing comfort at the same time.

Pria’s obsessive compulsive disorders and her Indian heritage result in her leading a solitary life. Nevertheless, she does feel an affinity for a neighbour and classmate, George, not that they ever play together or even talk. In her early twenties, Pria learns that he is in a mental home.  Consequently, she decides to try to help him. However, after just one visit, she comes to the conclusion that he is happy as he is. The reader also receives a glimmer of hope that Pria will start her recovery too.

The Plucker is a thought-provoking story. It offers an insight into how difficult it can be for some people to fit into the culture of a society not originally their own.

Miss Cassidy does a particularly good job of describing Pria’s thoughts and consequent reasons for doing what she does. However, the other characters are also well drawn.

The Plucker is part of a collection of novels called The World of Spilt Milk.  I gather you can read them in any order. I really enjoyed The Plucker and will be looking at its companion novels.

Full marks.