Additional information
by Mathew Daniel (Author)
My Father's House is set in the bustling Bombay of the 1950s and narrated by Mathew, the youngest in an Orthodox Christian family. Led by his generous and resilient parents, Daniel and Rachel, the family of five and two or three job-seeking guests at a time live in a cramped, third-floor tenement whose windows overlook the city's engaging chaos, which, in Mathew's observation, imitates their own lives, the quiet confidence running in the background like a silent river, amidst the joys and struggles of daily living. Despite their limited means, his parents welcomed the less fortunate to stay in their one-room tenement while job-seeking.
Mathew witnesses his parents' unwavering selflessness, even as it strains their family's resources and creates tensions, especially among his older siblings, who are much older than Mathew and have a clearer picture of the mechanics of their parents' selfless philanthropy. In contrast, to young Mathew, every new face is a potential playmate. His father's clerical salary barely covers their basic needs, let alone the constant stream of less fortunate guests who rely on their generosity. To maintain this lifestyle, his father must borrow money left and right, casting a long shadow over their family's future.
When a tragic car accident severs his father's arm, their lives are irrevocably changed. The once vibrant family centers first around his father's recovery and then his continued well-being, with Mathew taking on a significant role in supporting his mother. Between 9 and 12, he becomes her able assistant, filling the void left by the oldest sibling, John, and then Elisabeth, who both go out of state to pursue medical degrees.
Despite the challenges they face, Mathew's resilience shines through. At 11, he narrowly escapes death while crossing a commuter railway track, a harrowing experience that tests his courage and determination. At 17, his father's passing leaves a deep void in his life, but he finds solace in his memories and the legacy of his parents' selfless spirit.
Mathew's older brother's non-conforming interfaith marriage further compounds the family's trials. His choice to marry a classmate from a different faith sets off a societal tinderbox, igniting tensions within the extended family and beyond. The backlash serves as a stark reminder of humanity's original sin: the deeply ingrained prejudices and cultural tenets that can hinder personal freedom, progress, and happiness.
With a passion for reading and storytelling, and an eye for detail, I bring to life my eventful childhood and a family's testament to resilience in the face of loss in My Father's House. It explores the unspoken family bond forged by fate and tempered byadversity.
Author's Notes:
My second book, Steeplechase and Other Stories, published in 2025, is a collection of 15 short stories. One story, Walking My Baby Back Home, features my granddaughter after her first day in kindergarten, when we encountered a cicada with a broken wing, and how a teaching moment reversed roles. Another is about a church I helped build that ended up without a steeple, and the aftermath of the steeplechase. The last story in this collection, is the first part of My Father's House and Beyond, the Indian side of a friendship forged in India.
Simpli Ma's Story, soon to be published, is about my mother and features biographically based stories, anecdotes, and vignettes that celebrate her unique qualities and profound impact on my life.
Beyond My Father's House (nearing completion) is a novel about a friendship forged in India and renewed in the USA. It delves into the complexities of cross-cultural relationships, personal growth, and the enduring power of friendship.
