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em_beddedinbooks's review
4.0
It was a compelling read. I didnot like the story but it had the ability to hold me spellbound.
At around 40% I was sure I will give it 2 stars at the most, but things shifted towards a more powerful narration.
The two narrators, Maloti and Angshu have been married to each other for 12 years, and have a 10 year old daughter, Bunni.
Noyanangshu is a peculiar person, who internalizes his feelings and abhors display of affection and weakness. He likes to think himself a liberal gentleman, but in his wife's eyes is actually a tyrant who wants things to proceed his way. He is of the opinion that a person should not be confined by marriage, and should be allowed to 'graze' far and wide.
Maloti, who fell in love with her young English teacher, Noyanangshu initially idolizes him and agrees to all his terms. But off late, she is realizing his negative points with more and more force, and is fed up of him and their marriage to such an extent so as to avoid physical relations with him.
Angshu makes Maloti interact with his male friends, and slowly but surely, Jayonto, the slightly ragamuffin weekly publisher cum journalist and Maloti are attracted towards each other, culminating in physical intercourse.... from the point of which the story starts.
6 alternative chapters lead us into the minds of Maloti and Angshu, both are right, both are wrong .. and both are to be blamed.
I sort of sided with each when they put forth their viewpoints, but if I am asked to chose sides, I would tilt towards Maloti, as she seems to be the more normal of the couple, who just sought love and companionship, which was not provided by her husband.
This story made me think a lot about the institute of marriage, its restraints and its freedom. Was a very powerful book, and one thing which left me wondering is why the couple never sought any counseling, as at varying points they both want to make amends and lead life as husband and wife, despite Jayanto happening.
At around 40% I was sure I will give it 2 stars at the most, but things shifted towards a more powerful narration.
The two narrators, Maloti and Angshu have been married to each other for 12 years, and have a 10 year old daughter, Bunni.
Noyanangshu is a peculiar person, who internalizes his feelings and abhors display of affection and weakness. He likes to think himself a liberal gentleman, but in his wife's eyes is actually a tyrant who wants things to proceed his way. He is of the opinion that a person should not be confined by marriage, and should be allowed to 'graze' far and wide.
Maloti, who fell in love with her young English teacher, Noyanangshu initially idolizes him and agrees to all his terms. But off late, she is realizing his negative points with more and more force, and is fed up of him and their marriage to such an extent so as to avoid physical relations with him.
Angshu makes Maloti interact with his male friends, and slowly but surely, Jayonto, the slightly ragamuffin weekly publisher cum journalist and Maloti are attracted towards each other, culminating in physical intercourse.... from the point of which the story starts.
6 alternative chapters lead us into the minds of Maloti and Angshu, both are right, both are wrong .. and both are to be blamed.
I sort of sided with each when they put forth their viewpoints, but if I am asked to chose sides, I would tilt towards Maloti, as she seems to be the more normal of the couple, who just sought love and companionship, which was not provided by her husband.
This story made me think a lot about the institute of marriage, its restraints and its freedom. Was a very powerful book, and one thing which left me wondering is why the couple never sought any counseling, as at varying points they both want to make amends and lead life as husband and wife, despite Jayanto happening.
marihelene's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
swathiblogs's review
5.0
"A snapped wire can never be made whole again, you shall never recapture that lost melody—you shall just exist, grow old with one who does not love you, one whom you will have forgotten to love. But what difference does it make, tell me—love’s not really important. It’s the husband–wife relationship that is. What matters is life, and we must live it."
Banned when it was first published in Bengali in 1967 on charges of obscenity, 'Rat Bhore Brishti' or 'It Rained All Night' written by Buddadeva Bose translated by Clinton B Seeley is a stunning example of a book way ahead of its time.
Maloti married to Nayanangshu for 12 years finds herself drawn to his friend Jayanto who is polar opposite of her husband. A tale of love, desire , infidelity and deception, set on the night that Maloti succumbing to her desire sleeps with Jayanto, the couple recall the instances leading upto the affair.
Angshu is described bookish by Maloti. When they were newly married, he read poems , important lines though it bored her. Then, he often chided her for trying to impress his family or for her pleasures in the 'girlie' things as he called her love for jewellery. The initial years of marriage she tries to frame herself as per his desires in a foggy love for him. They eventually move out of the joint family home to a different flat on Angshu's interest but Maloti craves for female company and the little pleasures like seeing a movie with her him. Angshu seems detached, less expressive and often invites his friends for literary and other discussions over the weekend. While she expects alone time, he encourages her to make friends with his friends.
On one hand he wants her to be on par with a man's position encouraging her to think, have individuality but his hypocrisy is revealed where he doesn't want her outshining him. Her mundane life brightens up after the arrival of Jayanto , who pays attention to every detail and enjoys her company.
While the story is told from POVs of Anghu and Maloti is alternate chapters with the final one giving the thoughts of both on the day after the incident . Sexuality is discussed with ease here. Maloti's growing years, her puberty, changes in body and blooming into an attractive woman. Angshu on the other hand grows up with the agony of adolescence trying to find an outlet for his new emotions.
Angshu, earlier Maloti's professor is different from her expectations. While she desires for ravishing experience, Angshu is subtle and calm lost in his world. Both knew the game the other was playing- Angshu of the affair and Maloti of his ignorance. Maloti though repulsed by Anshu's physical aspects does enjoy other aspects of their companionship.
Maloti's feelings while were more understandable as a female for me, Angshu's reasons for not confronting was a revelation. He tries hard to bridge the broken relationship though Maloti shuns him. Each wanting to punish the other for the pain but bound to each other by their daughter. Their ego and societal perceptions probably kept them from breaking off.
Bose's prose is rich , emotional and vivid. Each frame of the story moves like a movie seamlessly in the backdrop of rain. Lot of pertinent questions are posed and desire and love are interrelated .
I could not put this book down and was conflicted as to who was right among the both. But that was never the question . The complexities of human emotions, a man and woman's relation - physical and mental is explored here.
Do a man and woman only bound by marriage stay in a relationship without desire?
Rating: 5/5
Banned when it was first published in Bengali in 1967 on charges of obscenity, 'Rat Bhore Brishti' or 'It Rained All Night' written by Buddadeva Bose translated by Clinton B Seeley is a stunning example of a book way ahead of its time.
Maloti married to Nayanangshu for 12 years finds herself drawn to his friend Jayanto who is polar opposite of her husband. A tale of love, desire , infidelity and deception, set on the night that Maloti succumbing to her desire sleeps with Jayanto, the couple recall the instances leading upto the affair.
Angshu is described bookish by Maloti. When they were newly married, he read poems , important lines though it bored her. Then, he often chided her for trying to impress his family or for her pleasures in the 'girlie' things as he called her love for jewellery. The initial years of marriage she tries to frame herself as per his desires in a foggy love for him. They eventually move out of the joint family home to a different flat on Angshu's interest but Maloti craves for female company and the little pleasures like seeing a movie with her him. Angshu seems detached, less expressive and often invites his friends for literary and other discussions over the weekend. While she expects alone time, he encourages her to make friends with his friends.
On one hand he wants her to be on par with a man's position encouraging her to think, have individuality but his hypocrisy is revealed where he doesn't want her outshining him. Her mundane life brightens up after the arrival of Jayanto , who pays attention to every detail and enjoys her company.
While the story is told from POVs of Anghu and Maloti is alternate chapters with the final one giving the thoughts of both on the day after the incident . Sexuality is discussed with ease here. Maloti's growing years, her puberty, changes in body and blooming into an attractive woman. Angshu on the other hand grows up with the agony of adolescence trying to find an outlet for his new emotions.
Angshu, earlier Maloti's professor is different from her expectations. While she desires for ravishing experience, Angshu is subtle and calm lost in his world. Both knew the game the other was playing- Angshu of the affair and Maloti of his ignorance. Maloti though repulsed by Anshu's physical aspects does enjoy other aspects of their companionship.
Maloti's feelings while were more understandable as a female for me, Angshu's reasons for not confronting was a revelation. He tries hard to bridge the broken relationship though Maloti shuns him. Each wanting to punish the other for the pain but bound to each other by their daughter. Their ego and societal perceptions probably kept them from breaking off.
Bose's prose is rich , emotional and vivid. Each frame of the story moves like a movie seamlessly in the backdrop of rain. Lot of pertinent questions are posed and desire and love are interrelated .
I could not put this book down and was conflicted as to who was right among the both. But that was never the question . The complexities of human emotions, a man and woman's relation - physical and mental is explored here.
Do a man and woman only bound by marriage stay in a relationship without desire?
Rating: 5/5
nytika's review
4.0
So often things that seem normal in this day and age weren't so 30 or even 20 years back. The contents of this book however, in my opinion, can still "raise eyebrows" so to speak. I absolutely loved the dual perspective and how the female character showed no traces of what could be a man's perspective on what a women feels. I went through a myriad of emotions while reading, some agreeable, a bit of rage and a lot of sympathy. What this book made me think about most of all is the failure to recognise the complexity of the other individual's emotions solely based on their actions. But then again, whose fault is it really? Can we ever know?
kassiopeija's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dancingbibliophile's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
soha's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The novel chronicles a loveless marriage between a middle class Bengali girl Maloti and bookish college lecturer Nayonangshu. The story begins with Bose telling us that Maloti and Jayanto have finally consummated their extra marital affair.
The book is told in alternating points of view. Bose weaves into well written prose, Maloti and Angshu's initial honeymoon phase, the gradual decline of their marriage, their sometimes warped views on individuality, reflections on love and the institution of marriage itself. Maloti, tired of not being satisfied by her husband, turns to Jayanto, a "man of action" she first met through Angshu.
The prose was clever and careful while making me think "this is actually a valid point" and then snatching it away the next second. Maloti desires to be loved for who she is and not what Angshu wants her to be and we can see how Angshu failed to understand her love languages as their marriage went through the seasons. As the story progressed, I was left with one thought - maybe theirs was a union that never should've happened in the first place.
Rain is a character in itself, sometimes used to signify the darkness and misery that Angshu feels, sometimes to shed light on the roaring silence in their house it makes its presence known.
A candid exploration of desire (particularly female desire), the institution of marriage and love, I'm not surprised this was bold especially for its times. There's a certain beauty in the way Bose has written this devastating tale. It's not to be missed.
The book is told in alternating points of view. Bose weaves into well written prose, Maloti and Angshu's initial honeymoon phase, the gradual decline of their marriage, their sometimes warped views on individuality, reflections on love and the institution of marriage itself. Maloti, tired of not being satisfied by her husband, turns to Jayanto, a "man of action" she first met through Angshu.
The prose was clever and careful while making me think "this is actually a valid point" and then snatching it away the next second. Maloti desires to be loved for who she is and not what Angshu wants her to be and we can see how Angshu failed to understand her love languages as their marriage went through the seasons. As the story progressed, I was left with one thought - maybe theirs was a union that never should've happened in the first place.
Rain is a character in itself, sometimes used to signify the darkness and misery that Angshu feels, sometimes to shed light on the roaring silence in their house it makes its presence known.
A candid exploration of desire (particularly female desire), the institution of marriage and love, I'm not surprised this was bold especially for its times. There's a certain beauty in the way Bose has written this devastating tale. It's not to be missed.
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