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booknrrd's review against another edition
3.0
A good read about a difficult time for women and India.
maanvi2501's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"These people don't really understand Viru, how much satisfaction there can be in leading your own life, in being independent. Here we are, fighting for the freedom of the nation, but women are still supposed to marry, and nothing else."
Even seventy-odd years after Independence, this sentence still rings true. And most of Virmati's struggle to find a life of her own. She thinks her struggle to fit in will be resolved if she marries the man she loves — the Professor who takes her love for granted, and who entangles her in a life she feels claustrophobic in. After her marriage, though, she realises that freedom lies somewhere else. Maybe, within.
For me, the overarching theme for this book was the complexity of a woman's need for solitude and independence. Especially in Indian society, where that need is often conflated with barbs about being a spinster. Through her trauma of Partition, her family's disapproval, her lover's vacillation, her daughter's eventual anger — it seems all Virmati wants is for the world to recognise her for who she is. All she wants is a room of her own. (Woolf would agree.)
Even seventy-odd years after Independence, this sentence still rings true. And most of Virmati's struggle to find a life of her own. She thinks her struggle to fit in will be resolved if she marries the man she loves — the Professor who takes her love for granted, and who entangles her in a life she feels claustrophobic in. After her marriage, though, she realises that freedom lies somewhere else. Maybe, within.
For me, the overarching theme for this book was the complexity of a woman's need for solitude and independence. Especially in Indian society, where that need is often conflated with barbs about being a spinster. Through her trauma of Partition, her family's disapproval, her lover's vacillation, her daughter's eventual anger — it seems all Virmati wants is for the world to recognise her for who she is. All she wants is a room of her own. (Woolf would agree.)
thelunaticghost's review
1.0
Allah-o-Akbar
Har, Har Mahadev
Bolo So Nikhal
Those cries became the cries of battle rather than religion.
Har, Har Mahadev
Bolo So Nikhal
Those cries became the cries of battle rather than religion.
ordinary's review
5.0
This book is just what I've been seeking. A story that doesn't place colonialism at its center. A story of Indians living their lives and fighting their battles with the independence movement and the Britishers a part of the story but not consuming it whole. We need more stories like this.
At times this book was hard to read. Kapur has done an exceptional job at setting the scene and developing characters. Virmati's struggles in finding her legitimate place in society after succumbing to a forbidden affair are heartbreakingly accurate. The setting described was so claustrophobic and misogynistic (typical India) that I had to put the book down a few times and walk away just to catch a breath. Harish's character is also depicted very well - a high minded, idealistic but ultimately chauvinistic coward who deeply disrespects all the women in his family though who can blame him because such was the time. He was full of OBNOXIOUS male privilege though #justsaying
I love how this book is an unflinching reflection of our society - of how women are treated and how toxic joint families can be (this was my takeaway at least). It's a tribute to a woman (Virmati) who defied all tradition and survived. It's a testament to her strength even though her struggles were bitter. It also sheds a light on the unfortunate ones like illiterate Ganga who suffered for no fault of her own. This could be a true story - it's written with such accuracy and discernment. A must read.
At times this book was hard to read. Kapur has done an exceptional job at setting the scene and developing characters. Virmati's struggles in finding her legitimate place in society after succumbing to a forbidden affair are heartbreakingly accurate. The setting described was so claustrophobic and misogynistic (typical India) that I had to put the book down a few times and walk away just to catch a breath. Harish's character is also depicted very well - a high minded, idealistic but ultimately chauvinistic coward who deeply disrespects all the women in his family though who can blame him because such was the time. He was full of OBNOXIOUS male privilege though #justsaying
I love how this book is an unflinching reflection of our society - of how women are treated and how toxic joint families can be (this was my takeaway at least). It's a tribute to a woman (Virmati) who defied all tradition and survived. It's a testament to her strength even though her struggles were bitter. It also sheds a light on the unfortunate ones like illiterate Ganga who suffered for no fault of her own. This could be a true story - it's written with such accuracy and discernment. A must read.
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