The Land
The primary setting of the book is a coastal state in India known for its lush landscapes, intricate waterways, and rich cultural heritage
What is Kerala?
The primary medical condition that plagues several members of the family
What is drowning (or a mysterious tendency to drown)?
The type and name of the animal that befriended the family at Parambil
What is elephant/Damodaron?
The primary symptom of The Condition that affects the family
What is drowning, often in seemingly shallow water?
The social hierarchy system that is deeply ingrained in the lives of the characters
What is the caste system?
The estate where much of the story unfolds
What is Parambil?
Digby's medical profession
What is doctor/surgeon?
The relationship between Digby and Rune
What are colleagues/friends?
The condition is related to this natural element
What is water?
The natural element that symbolizes both life and danger
What is water
The main trees on the estate where Big Ammachi and her family live
What are coconut palms?
This disease affects several characters in the book and is something that ties Digby and Rune together
What is Leprosy?
The relationship between Digby and Mariamma
What is father and daughter?
The condition affects members of the family across many of these
What are generations?
The family's attempt to conceal the genetic condition to protect future generations is characterized by this
What is secrecy?
The natural resource in the area where the book takes place that gives rise to The Condition
What is water?
One of the medical challenges that the characters face in the time period of the novel
What is lack of modern medicine, or lack of understanding of the causes of diseases?
Elsie's profession
What is artist?
Name some psychological effects of living with or knowing about The Condition
What is fear/anxiety?
The theme in the book relating to the human spirit
What is resilience?
The characters deal with the dangers of this natural occurrence, which can cause devastating floods
What is the monsoon?
One of the medical breakthroughs that Mariamma hopes to achieve through her studies as a doctor
What is to understand, and find a cure for, the causes of The Condition?
The relationship between Big Ammachi and Baby Mol
What is mother and daughter?
The underlying medical reason for The Condition
What is genetic predisposition; or what is unknown/mysterious causes?
A theme woven through the characters who display amazing resilience in the face of very difficult circumstances
What is faith, love and/or loss?