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Cover of "To let"

"To let"

Written by B. M. (Bithia Mary) Croker

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BritishIndiaGhost storiesShort stories, English

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About this book

"To Let" by B. M. Croker is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a young woman named Susan Shandon, who moves to India to live with her brother and his family. Set against the backdrop of British colonial life, the narrative explores themes of domesticity, family dynamics, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment. The opening of "To Let" introduces Susan as she arrives in Lucknow with excitement and anticipation for her new life. She is welcomed by her energetic sister-in-law, Aggie, and describes the vivid life of an Anglo-Indian family, including their struggles with the oppressive heat of summer. As the season progresses, Susan highlights the family's attempts to make it through the unbearable weather, revealing both comedic and tense moments. The prospect of renting a new place in the hills adds a layer of urgency to their situation, setting the stage for future developments in the story. With a mix of humor and introspection, the beginning establishes the tone for the unfolding adventures and challenges that await Susan and her family.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in "To let", written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • humorous
  • introspective
  • colonial

B. M. Croker's "To Let" introduces Susan Shandon, a young woman embarking on a new life in British colonial India with her brother's family. Set against the vivid, often challenging backdrop of Anglo-Indian domesticity, the narrative explores Susan's adaptation to the oppressive heat and cultural nuances of Lucknow. The family's urgent search for respite in the hills hints at a shift in setting, while the genre classification of 'Ghost stories' suggests that their new dwelling may hold more than just a change of scenery, blending humor and introspection with potential supernatural intrigue.

“"The very air seemed to shimmer with heat, a tangible presence that clung to one like a wet shroud."”

Key themes

Adaptation and Displacement
This theme explores Susan's journey of adjusting to a vastly different culture and climate in colonial India. It delves into the psychological and emotional challenges of leaving one's familiar environment and integrating into a new, often harsh, reality, highlighting the feeling of being an outsider.
Colonial Life and Anglo-Indian Society
The novel provides an intimate portrayal of British colonial existence in India, focusing on the domestic sphere of an Anglo-Indian family. It examines the daily routines, social customs, and specific challenges faced by the British expatriates, often from a perspective that highlights their efforts to maintain a semblance of home amidst a foreign land.
The Supernatural and the Uncanny
Given the 'Ghost stories' genre, this theme likely explores the presence of unexplained phenomena and the psychological impact of encountering the uncanny. It delves into human fear, superstition, and the thin veil between the rational and irrational, possibly linking these elements to the historical or atmospheric qualities of the new dwelling.

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