Coffer Dams The

Clinton founder and head of a firm of international construction engineers arrives in India to build a dam bringing with him his young wife Helen and a strong team of aides and skilled men. They are faced with a formidable project which involves working in daunting mountain and jungle terrain within a time schedule dictated by the extreme tropical weather. Inevitable setbacks occur accidents and friction among the mixed labour force present further complications. But to Clinton the building of the dam is more than a challenge it is an obsession?not however shared by Helen. Appalled by her husband?s concern with structures rather than with men she turns to the local Indian tribesmen finding in them the human values she finds lacking in the British camp. With relations between the Clintons becoming increasingly raw-edged the first rains fall and as the torrents sweep the valley and the level of the river rises so does the tension in the beleaguered camp. The vital question looms to breach the coffer dams or allow them to stand thereby placing the lives of the tribesmen in jeopardy. It is a fundamental question that splits the camp exposing the lingering prejudices of a bygone colonial era. First published in 1969 The Coffer Dams is vintage Kamala Markandaya a pioneer who influenced many Indian writers in English.