Naomi Weisman is the writer of Nomi's Pics, and the editor of the Rambler Cafe Blog and Newsletter. She is a Canadian-Australian mother of three who loves to Ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
Introduction
Cauvery Madhavan’s The Inheritance blends contemporary life in rural Ireland with the echoes of a much older history. Set in 1986 in the village of Glengarriff, West Cork, the novel follows Marlo O’Sullivan as he uncovers personal secrets, takes on new responsibilities, and becomes entangled with a haunting legacy stretching back centuries. With themes of family, belonging, and history’s long shadow, the book is both a modern story and a historical meditation.
About the Author
Born in Chennai, India, Cauvery Madhavan moved to Ireland in the 1980s. Her unique perspective, bridging two cultures with complex histories, shapes her writing. Her earlier novels include Paddy Indian and The Uncoupling, but The Inheritance marks a step into historical fiction that entwines the personal with the collective past.
Summary
At 29, Marlo O’Sullivan’s life is upended when he discovers that his “sister” is actually his mother. Returning to Glengarriff, he inherits a cottage and takes over a neighbour’s minibus route to Cork. Among his passengers is six-year-old Sully, a non-verbal child who becomes fixated on an “imaginary friend” in the nearby oak forests. What seems like a simple rural life gradually entwines with Ireland’s turbulent past, particularly the tragic 1602 “Long March” of O’Sullivan Beare. Through Marlo and Sully’s intertwined journeys, the novel explores how personal and historical inheritances continue to shape present lives.
Themes to Explore
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Family Secrets: The revelation about Marlo’s parentage drives the story—what we inherit isn’t always what we expect.
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Belonging & Identity: From Marlo’s search for a home to Sully’s “imaginary friend,” the novel questions where (and with whom) we truly belong.
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Inheritance: Beyond cottages and bus routes, the novel examines the emotional and cultural legacies handed down through generations.
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History’s Echoes: The haunting presence of the O’Sullivan Beare tragedy shows how the past continues to inhabit the present.
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Community & Isolation: Small-town dynamics, secrets, and unexpected friendships play a central role in the characters’ lives.
Questions to Ponder Together
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How does Marlo’s personal inheritance mirror the broader historical inheritance revealed in the story?
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Sully is a powerful figure in the novel despite never speaking—what did you make of his role?
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How did the “ghosts” of Ireland’s past enrich or complicate the story for you?
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In what ways do secrets shape both individual lives and collective memory?
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Did you find the blend of contemporary story and historical tragedy seamless, or did one thread resonate more with you?
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If you could ask Cauvery Madhavan one question about her research into Irish history, what would it be?
Conclusion
The Inheritance is more than a family drama—it’s a reminder that the past is never really past. Through Marlo, Sully, and the spectral presence of the O’Sullivan Beare legacy, the novel asks us to think about what we inherit, knowingly or unknowingly, from both our families and our histories.
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