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books_and_keys's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
Bengali, feminist, Muslim writer from early 1900s - writing pre- partition. Often we see Muslim feminists as a relatively new thing - although there is a long history of feminists from that tradition.
I appreciated how she separated the concept of cultural seclusion from purdah. The women in Padmarag although in some ways harmed by a society that does not consider them equal - all have a sense of personal empowerment.
I appreciated how she separated the concept of cultural seclusion from purdah. The women in Padmarag although in some ways harmed by a society that does not consider them equal - all have a sense of personal empowerment.
nainatai's review against another edition
3.0
I loved both the stories. My only problem with the book was the translation. The current translation leaves a lot to be desired. Beyond a point, I was beginning to wonder if the English version hadn't twisted the original intent of a few chapters. It's also very interesting to see how far we've come in our thinking and yet, how much certain things remain the same since the time the book was written more than a century ago. Despite the blotchy translation, I would still recommend this book to get a peek inside the world of Muslim Bengalis from the pre-independence era. If you read the foreword, you'll learn that a lot of the story derives from the writer's personal experiences, Padmarag possibly more autobiographical than it lets on in the novella.
thestoryofaz's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
It is difficult to imagine a woman daring to publish a speculative fiction piece about a feminist utopia back then, and that too in English. Rokeya, you will always be famous.
Perhaps I should have read Padmarag in Bengali after all since I believe much of the beauty of the story had been lost in translation. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it for what it is.
It is rather unfortunate how these two tales are still relevant in this day and age. How much have we progressed really?
Perhaps I should have read Padmarag in Bengali after all since I believe much of the beauty of the story had been lost in translation. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it for what it is.
It is rather unfortunate how these two tales are still relevant in this day and age. How much have we progressed really?
mevangeline's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
apjck20's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
fuck!!!!!!! IN THIS HOUSE WE STAN SIDDIKA/ZAINAB/PADMARAG!!!!
i love Indian literature and Feminist literature, then it is combined in a book like this with such heavy culture and diversity and passion and soul, and BAAM, im sold. This is a very very simple book, it consists of two stories first being a 15 paged story based on a utopian feminist country named Ladyland, and the second is heavily based on literal women's badassery and their rise from oppression in the 1920s(fictional ofc). The sexism has reduced of course but the resemblance to what it is now and what it was a century ago is uncanny. Talking about the language, the translation is very simple and beautiful, and it's not a sad book, it's a book of rising above but it just makes you cry for the most basic achievements. The story is intertwined perfectly with a reveal at the end.
fuck!!!!!!! IN THIS HOUSE WE STAN SIDDIKA/ZAINAB/PADMARAG!!!!
i love Indian literature and Feminist literature, then it is combined in a book like this with such heavy culture and diversity and passion and soul, and BAAM, im sold. This is a very very simple book, it consists of two stories first being a 15 paged story based on a utopian feminist country named Ladyland, and the second is heavily based on literal women's badassery and their rise from oppression in the 1920s(fictional ofc). The sexism has reduced of course but the resemblance to what it is now and what it was a century ago is uncanny. Talking about the language, the translation is very simple and beautiful, and it's not a sad book, it's a book of rising above but it just makes you cry for the most basic achievements. The story is intertwined perfectly with a reveal at the end.
lleullawgyffes's review
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.25
hannahjs's review against another edition
3.5
Sultana’s Dream is such an original, engaging piece of speculative fiction, and I really enjoyed how it managed to blend thoughtful social critique with humour.
Padmarag is also a fantastic social critique, and an important contribution to the history of anti-colonial, feminist thought, but I did have some issues with it narratively-speaking. There were quite a few instances where a bunch of backstory and important information about the characters was dumped on the reader all at once, rather than being woven into the story, which I found a little jarring. It was still an engaging story, but those moments took me out of it a bit.
Padmarag is also a fantastic social critique, and an important contribution to the history of anti-colonial, feminist thought, but I did have some issues with it narratively-speaking. There were quite a few instances where a bunch of backstory and important information about the characters was dumped on the reader all at once, rather than being woven into the story, which I found a little jarring. It was still an engaging story, but those moments took me out of it a bit.
bookandcorner's review against another edition
3.0
Rating 3.5/5
Sultana’s Dream is a satirical narrative written depicting a female utopian land Ladyland, an unconventional and inverted world where men follow the purdah system and are confined to the Mardana doing the household mundane chores and women walk out of their homes and runs the place liberating themselves from the pre-conceived notions of women not being able to handle power and responsibility.
Padmarag brings us closer to reality where women who were once dejected, frowned upon, marginalized, and downtrodden from all walks of life come together in Tarini Bhawan as “sisters” for an educational, healing and philanthropic purpose. The last few pages of this book is a marked admiration that women's happiness is not restricted to the household but is a sense of responsibility to work for women upliftment and encourage others to not to bend the knee to such vices and strike back with determination.
On one hand, Sultana’s Dream Ladyland's depiction is the epitome of imagination and is an engrossing read. On the other hand, in spite of a dismal storyline, Padmarag is a refreshing read which addresses issues that were unimaginable in the era it was written. Even though, times have changed but the concerns remains the same. So, this is a perfect amalgamation of a provocative prose with a pinch of poetry and is a must-read.
Sultana’s Dream is a satirical narrative written depicting a female utopian land Ladyland, an unconventional and inverted world where men follow the purdah system and are confined to the Mardana doing the household mundane chores and women walk out of their homes and runs the place liberating themselves from the pre-conceived notions of women not being able to handle power and responsibility.
Padmarag brings us closer to reality where women who were once dejected, frowned upon, marginalized, and downtrodden from all walks of life come together in Tarini Bhawan as “sisters” for an educational, healing and philanthropic purpose. The last few pages of this book is a marked admiration that women's happiness is not restricted to the household but is a sense of responsibility to work for women upliftment and encourage others to not to bend the knee to such vices and strike back with determination.
On one hand, Sultana’s Dream Ladyland's depiction is the epitome of imagination and is an engrossing read. On the other hand, in spite of a dismal storyline, Padmarag is a refreshing read which addresses issues that were unimaginable in the era it was written. Even though, times have changed but the concerns remains the same. So, this is a perfect amalgamation of a provocative prose with a pinch of poetry and is a must-read.
mrswythe89's review against another edition
3.0
Good fun. I felt Sultana's Dream came apart a bit at the end, but was impressed by the ending of Padmarag. Note to self: Sultana's Dream was written originally in English; Padmarag in Bengali.