White Man Falling (pb)

When it happens it happens as these things ought to happen in a manner appropriate to the cliches that witnesses will later attach to it - 'suddenly' 'in a flash' 'out of nowhere'.Suddenly in a flash out of nowhere a white man falls out of the sky. Police Sub-Inspector (retired) R.M. Swaminathan has suffered a stroke while beating up a suspect in the lock-up of Mullaipuram Police Station. He can no longer talk properly command the respect of his community or give his six daughters the bankrupting dowries they deserve. Is it any wonder that Swami has lost his pride and wants to kill himself using only a puncture-repair kit? Surely a man in these circumstances has good reason to feel cursed when a white man falls out of the sky dying at his feet and making him a laughing stock. But as further strange incidents occur Swami's hometown starts to believe he is walking with God and life changes for ever... Mike Stock's tale of domestic catastrophe accidental crime-busting deluded matchmaking and mystical absurdity brilliantly exemplifies how sometimes in life meaningless events can produce meaningful effects.