The East Indian

A Novel

By: Brinda Charry

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

An exhilarating debut novel about the first native of the Indian subcontinent to arrive in Colonial America, inspired by a historical figure—“marvelous…readers of Esi Edugyan and Yaa Gyasi will be enthralled” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Meet Tony: insatiably curious, deeply compassionate, with a unique perspective on every scene he encounters. Kidnapped and transported to the New World after traveling from the British East India Company’s outpost on the Coromandel Coast to the teeming streets of London, young Tony finds himself in Jamestown, Virginia, where he and his fellow indentured servants—boys like himself, men from Africa, a mad woman from London—must work the tobacco plantations. Orphaned and afraid, Tony initially longs for home. But as he adjusts to his new environment, finding companionship and even love, he can envision a life for himself after servitude. His dream: to become a medicine man, or a physician’s assistant, an expert on roots and herbs, a dispenser of healing compounds.

Like the play that captivates him—Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Tony’s life is rich with oddities and hijinks, humor and tragedy. Set during the early days of English colonization in Jamestown, before servitude calcified into racialized slavery, The East Indian gives authentic voice to an otherwise unknown historic figure and brings the world he would have encountered to vivid life. In this coming-of-age tale, narrated by a most memorable literary rascal, Charry conjures a young character sure to be beloved by readers for years to come.

Critic reviews

"Brinda Charry’s novel begins in her native India and draws on her study of English Renaissance literature, specifically Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”" (Katherine A. Powers)

"Vikas Adam is an experienced narrator whose skill is on full display in this unique historical novel based on a real-life figure...Evoking a range of emotions, Adam captures the range of Tony's adventures. He balances Tony's quiet inner monologue and the brash Europeans he encounters. Fans of international fiction, and those looking for something new in the historical genre, will fall in love with Tony and his narrator."

Beautifully Written, Best Narration

Everything I hope for in historical fiction - engaging main character, enlightening historical framework, and a well-crafted story.

Wonderful journey through our past!

The East Indian by Brinda Charry is beautifully written, brought to life by the narrator. Recommended to me, I'm glad I purchased it. It opened my eyes to a historical blindspot with its exquisite detail. I look forward to more from this author.

Great story

A wonderful historical novel set apart by an even better narrator. Surprising at times, great sense of place within the struggles of the early Jamestown region in the 1730s.

Lovely story - important history

Author does a nice job weaving real history into an important story of an immigrant experience

Incredibly well done

Excellent writing, a superb performance by the narrator, I would highly recommend this audiobook to listeners.