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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
had the sinful soul of a fisherwoman flitted on this shore on moonlit nights? no one had ever heard a song sung like that
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i wanted to read a book in my native tongue, for the first time. granted, it was a translated novel, since idk how to read in malayalam. the book surprised me to be entirely honest! although i'm fully aware the nuances of the prose in malayalam may not have been entirely conveyed through the translation, it was still quite beautiful to read.
the whole book was based around a folktale of the fishing village communities in kerala; if the fisherman's wife was unfaithful while her husband was out to sea, then the sea goddess (kadalamma) would consume him. the story follows karuthamma, a hindu woman, who falls in love with a muslim man but is forced to set aside her love to marry another man, due to her father's will. although some aspects of the 1959 book regarding the role of women were certainly outdated, the themes of temptation, greed and forbidden love in a setting familiar to myself were enjoyable to read
------------------
i wanted to read a book in my native tongue, for the first time. granted, it was a translated novel, since idk how to read in malayalam. the book surprised me to be entirely honest! although i'm fully aware the nuances of the prose in malayalam may not have been entirely conveyed through the translation, it was still quite beautiful to read.
the whole book was based around a folktale of the fishing village communities in kerala; if the fisherman's wife was unfaithful while her husband was out to sea, then the sea goddess (kadalamma) would consume him. the story follows karuthamma, a hindu woman, who falls in love with a muslim man but is forced to set aside her love to marry another man, due to her father's will. although some aspects of the 1959 book regarding the role of women were certainly outdated, the themes of temptation, greed and forbidden love in a setting familiar to myself were enjoyable to read
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
sad
medium-paced
The story is about Karuthamma (a Hindu fisherwoman) and Pareekutty (a Muslim fish wholesaler) and their forbidden love that is unconditional.
Karuthamma and Pareekutty grew up as childhood friends in a small fishing hamlet Neerkunnath.
Pareekutty family is well-off, while Karuthamma's slog it off day in and day out to meet their everyday needs.
Chembankunju, Karuthamma's father, is shrewd enough as he saves money and tricks the innocent Pareekutty to buy a boat and nets. Soon he becomes the talk of the town along with his wife Chakki.
Meanwhile, gossipmongers spread word about Karuthamma and Pareekutty's love even though they haven't done anything wrong.
Thus, in order to shut the rumours, Chembankunju marries off Karuthamma to Palani, an orphan yet able-bodied strong fisherman from neighbouring hamlet. Pareekutty's heartbroken.
Chakki is bedridden too seeing the shocking turn of events. But Karuthamma decides to leave her alone and move with her new husband.
Thinking that Karuthamma is least concerned about her mother, Chembankunju disowns her.
Palani and Karuthamma start their new life with some teething problems. However, soon they hit it off. Palani too is also sceptical about his wife's past love life.
Karuthamma being a true wife reveals her past life to Palani, and he accepts her, but not wholeheartedly.
During these happenings, Chakki dies, and Pareekutty informs her the same. Before her death, Chakki gets a promise from Pareekutty that's bizarre and weird.
So what will happen know? Will Karuthamma stay true to her husband or will she stray off and rekindle her long-lost love for Pareekutty and succumb to the wrath of Sea Goddess (Kadalamma)? Read it.
This book has become a cult classic and won many awards, and has been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. It was even made into a first Malayalam colour movie in 1965. The songs are
I read this novel and watched the movie (in short episodes of 20 minutes) simultaneously. The movie wasn't that great, except for Sheela with her curvy and buxom mallu-ish features.
The translation was taut and well-translated, bringing in the coastal flavours and moods of yesteryears with conformity and conviction.
If you love reading regional-language translated novels and experiencing a culture that's alien to you, I would recommend this book hands down.
Karuthamma and Pareekutty grew up as childhood friends in a small fishing hamlet Neerkunnath.
Pareekutty family is well-off, while Karuthamma's slog it off day in and day out to meet their everyday needs.
Chembankunju, Karuthamma's father, is shrewd enough as he saves money and tricks the innocent Pareekutty to buy a boat and nets. Soon he becomes the talk of the town along with his wife Chakki.
Meanwhile, gossipmongers spread word about Karuthamma and Pareekutty's love even though they haven't done anything wrong.
Thus, in order to shut the rumours, Chembankunju marries off Karuthamma to Palani, an orphan yet able-bodied strong fisherman from neighbouring hamlet. Pareekutty's heartbroken.
Chakki is bedridden too seeing the shocking turn of events. But Karuthamma decides to leave her alone and move with her new husband.
Thinking that Karuthamma is least concerned about her mother, Chembankunju disowns her.
Palani and Karuthamma start their new life with some teething problems. However, soon they hit it off. Palani too is also sceptical about his wife's past love life.
Karuthamma being a true wife reveals her past life to Palani, and he accepts her, but not wholeheartedly.
During these happenings, Chakki dies, and Pareekutty informs her the same. Before her death, Chakki gets a promise from Pareekutty that's bizarre and weird.
So what will happen know? Will Karuthamma stay true to her husband or will she stray off and rekindle her long-lost love for Pareekutty and succumb to the wrath of Sea Goddess (Kadalamma)? Read it.
This book has become a cult classic and won many awards, and has been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. It was even made into a first Malayalam colour movie in 1965. The songs are
I read this novel and watched the movie (in short episodes of 20 minutes) simultaneously. The movie wasn't that great, except for Sheela with her curvy and buxom mallu-ish features.
The translation was taut and well-translated, bringing in the coastal flavours and moods of yesteryears with conformity and conviction.
If you love reading regional-language translated novels and experiencing a culture that's alien to you, I would recommend this book hands down.
Pretty good story of ambition, conflict with social tradition and love.
A sorrowful wonderful book that demands to be read.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced