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kritikanarula's review against another edition
5.0
Originally reviewed at so many books, so little time
Some stories are meant to shake you to the core by their very intent- with their haunting projection of the reality and inexplicable charm!
Welcome to Tara's and Mukta's life, as they recount the moments of childhood, the social order of the society and most importantly being together.
Tara blames herself for Mukta's kidnapping years ago. She has now returned from the US to India, with the determination to find Mukta.
Mukta is born to a temple prostitute, the product of a sick tradition that continues unabated till date, and forms a major part of the novel. Tara is our regular school-going kid who is fortunate enough to be able to attend school, and spend time in the lap of her father, who is clearly a role model to her.
A poignant angle has been set- India in all its dichotomy is the backdrop to the brutalities inflicted by fate, the indifference in flesh trade and the compassion that can save lives.
Tara's father is the ideal altruist, volunteering actively to rescue kids from the murk they'd otherwise end up in, and bringing kids home to provide them temporary shelter. All is well until he brings Mukta, this time for ever. While the permanence of her stay is a major bother to the mother, who is ready to forgive her husband for everything, Mukta has issues of her own. She has seen her mother die in front of her. She is in a foreign land, with no one ready to accept her as her own. It is an identity crisis, but it is a lot more than just that. She is trying to convince herself that she deserves to live after all.
The narration alternates between our two protagonists and it is reminiscent in its element. It is clear that the author is concerned with deeper discussions - some soul-searching, and contemplation of the atrocities of fate, and so beautifully manages to capture this throughout the story.
It is a commentary, of the superlative degree, on the frailities and fallibility of human nature. Interspersed with quotes like,"The only way we can rectify our mistakes is to try and undo the wrong we have done", it is undoubtedly some epic food for thought. Truths are revealed, and it is so heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time to see how everyone copes with the lies they had been living. It is the story of not giving up, forgiving, moving on, finding a better purpose to life, being the better person, learning courage and fortitude.
The appeal of the plot is not just this message and the moral debate: it is as much in the thrill, the suspense, the flawed yet sympathetic characters, the persistent sense of loss, which is sprinkled throughout the plot. It is an intense, emotional and meticulous account- be sure you are ready for the emotional roller-coaster which will challenge your principles as you peep into the characters.
An increasingly poignant assault on the heart strings, with unprecedented lessons in family, love, redemption, forgiveness, and life, this one comes highly recommended.
Some stories are meant to shake you to the core by their very intent- with their haunting projection of the reality and inexplicable charm!
Welcome to Tara's and Mukta's life, as they recount the moments of childhood, the social order of the society and most importantly being together.
Tara blames herself for Mukta's kidnapping years ago. She has now returned from the US to India, with the determination to find Mukta.
Mukta is born to a temple prostitute, the product of a sick tradition that continues unabated till date, and forms a major part of the novel. Tara is our regular school-going kid who is fortunate enough to be able to attend school, and spend time in the lap of her father, who is clearly a role model to her.
A poignant angle has been set- India in all its dichotomy is the backdrop to the brutalities inflicted by fate, the indifference in flesh trade and the compassion that can save lives.
Tara's father is the ideal altruist, volunteering actively to rescue kids from the murk they'd otherwise end up in, and bringing kids home to provide them temporary shelter. All is well until he brings Mukta, this time for ever. While the permanence of her stay is a major bother to the mother, who is ready to forgive her husband for everything, Mukta has issues of her own. She has seen her mother die in front of her. She is in a foreign land, with no one ready to accept her as her own. It is an identity crisis, but it is a lot more than just that. She is trying to convince herself that she deserves to live after all.
The narration alternates between our two protagonists and it is reminiscent in its element. It is clear that the author is concerned with deeper discussions - some soul-searching, and contemplation of the atrocities of fate, and so beautifully manages to capture this throughout the story.
It is a commentary, of the superlative degree, on the frailities and fallibility of human nature. Interspersed with quotes like,"The only way we can rectify our mistakes is to try and undo the wrong we have done", it is undoubtedly some epic food for thought. Truths are revealed, and it is so heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time to see how everyone copes with the lies they had been living. It is the story of not giving up, forgiving, moving on, finding a better purpose to life, being the better person, learning courage and fortitude.
The appeal of the plot is not just this message and the moral debate: it is as much in the thrill, the suspense, the flawed yet sympathetic characters, the persistent sense of loss, which is sprinkled throughout the plot. It is an intense, emotional and meticulous account- be sure you are ready for the emotional roller-coaster which will challenge your principles as you peep into the characters.
An increasingly poignant assault on the heart strings, with unprecedented lessons in family, love, redemption, forgiveness, and life, this one comes highly recommended.
anushka_adishka_diaries's review
4.0
“Sometimes one act of bravery is better than a life lived as a coward.”
sayy3's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
dominiquecamargo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
dianna_reads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
naomi_mahoney's review
This book, even though interesting, is too full of violence for me, which I can't deal with at the moment. I am curious how it continues, but not so curious that I want to feel that horrible all the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, and Murder
holdvic's review
5.0
"the only way we can rectify our mistakes is to try and undo the wrong we have done."
pbmummy's review
2.0
About a quarter of the way through I realized that I had read this story before, in a better written book. Characters were introduced and not heard from again. I wanted so much more from this book but for me it didn't deliver.
sjj169's review against another edition
3.0
Other days, I'd remind myself what Amma used to tell me-the color of our sky will be bright again so I shouldn't lose hope.
In the late 1980's Mutka's realizes that her caste in life has led her to be dedicated to Yellamma and become a temple prostitute, her Amma is sick and her father is pretty unknown. Her Amma had told her that he was a rich and powerful man but he will never claim a prostitute's daughter as his.
Mutka ends up being rescued and taken back to Bombay to live with a foster family, that includes a young girl named Tara. Tara and Mutka have a tentative friendship as Tara's mother pretty much hates having Mutka in the house and makes sure she knows her place at all times.
Then Mutka is kidnapped one night from Tara's room. Tara sees the whole thing but tells no one her secrets. Her mother had been killed in the bombings and she is 'still recuperating.'
Tara's father is devastated after his wife's death and Mutka's kidnapping so he moves Tara and himself to America to start over.
Years pass and Tara's father dies and she finds out that the whole time he was looking still for Mutka..she leaves America to return to India to hunt her after eleven years.
Okay, so this is not a bad book. It's so beautifully written that it does keep you interested. There were just some things that were not wrapped up well for me. Cuz I'm a picky bitch.
Tara-I never really liked her. I felt like she did something bad when she was younger and then after her father died she didn't have anything else to do so she then felt the guilt.
Then she goes to India and greases palms, stays and eats, uses a private investigator...all after it being said that she worked three menial jobs in the US???? How the heck did she afford that?
Secondary characters-they come and then they go. No follow up for introducing the reader to them. I need more than that.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
In the late 1980's Mutka's realizes that her caste in life has led her to be dedicated to Yellamma and become a temple prostitute, her Amma is sick and her father is pretty unknown. Her Amma had told her that he was a rich and powerful man but he will never claim a prostitute's daughter as his.
Mutka ends up being rescued and taken back to Bombay to live with a foster family, that includes a young girl named Tara. Tara and Mutka have a tentative friendship as Tara's mother pretty much hates having Mutka in the house and makes sure she knows her place at all times.
Then Mutka is kidnapped one night from Tara's room. Tara sees the whole thing but tells no one her secrets. Her mother had been killed in the bombings and she is 'still recuperating.'
Tara's father is devastated after his wife's death and Mutka's kidnapping so he moves Tara and himself to America to start over.
Years pass and Tara's father dies and she finds out that the whole time he was looking still for Mutka..she leaves America to return to India to hunt her after eleven years.
Okay, so this is not a bad book. It's so beautifully written that it does keep you interested. There were just some things that were not wrapped up well for me. Cuz I'm a picky bitch.
Tara-I never really liked her. I felt like she did something bad when she was younger and then after her father died she didn't have anything else to do so she then felt the guilt.
Then she goes to India and greases palms, stays and eats, uses a private investigator...all after it being said that she worked three menial jobs in the US???? How the heck did she afford that?
Secondary characters-they come and then they go. No follow up for introducing the reader to them. I need more than that.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.