Scan barcode
A review by anukritimalik_
Missing, Presumed Dead by Kiran Manral
4.0
Aisha is caught between a dysfunctional marriage with Prithvi. They live on the outskirts of a town up in the hills in North India that keeps them socially unavailable. Aisha , who is fighting demons of her own has to rely on pills to keep her "sane" and functioning.
The only thing keeping her and Prithvi together despite a broken marriage are their children.
On a chaotic day with the weather gone all rough and the roads blocked , someone knocks not only at Aisha's door but also her married life. The person on the other side of the door is Heer , a young woman who looks exactly the younger version of Aisha and also happens to be her half-sister.
Despite the unfavorable weather , Aisha steps out of the house only to never return. Heer not only takes charge but also steps into the shoes of her sister's life , with the kids as well as Prithvi. A suicide note found in Aisha's wallet suggest she has attempted suicide but a strange discomfort leaves room for suspicions.
The setting of the book is brilliantly thought of. An abode in the outskirts of a town in the hills , the rough weather and the suspense created behind Aisha's suicide fits well with each other. The story gives you a realistic outlook on how mental illness screws up a person , eating on the inside and then affecting their relationship and close ones. The author also focuses on how the sexual life of a couple is disrupted after the birth of her child since it leaves an impact on the woman's physical appearance and how the man can't seem to come in terms with that. She knock downs the saying of "love the internal beauty" and how the physical outlook of a woman overpowers that. Manral speaks the mind of those hundred woman out their who battle anxiety , depression and what not , yet they wake up each day and fight their battle.
The author knows her way of making the characters feel realistic. The characters are woven with perfection and flaws alike. Aisha, who battles her demons keeps functioning for her children. She is the spying wife , thanks to her husband's lack of love towards her. Prithvi , the arrogant and disinterested husband (or so it seems) is never in the frame. He retires home at night after work and dozes off without much communication. The character progresses in the later stage when he sets on a journey to find the mystery about Heer and her disappearance. (Note- Aisha goes missing and yet this dotting husband that didn't give a damn but he filed a missing complaint when Heer went missing). Heer , the oh-so-charming young woman that catches Prithvi's lustful eyes and body that have been deprived of physical love.
The words just seem to flow in a speed that not only grips you to the story but doesn't let you to keep the book down. Manral's writing is one of a kind. Despite the dark nature of the book , she keeps the pace going and there isn't a dull moment in the entire book. Never have I ever read any book that explores the repercussions of mental health on a marriage with such an intensity.
Final Verdict
A dystopian setting , a disrupted married life and the demons inside the head , nobody could have pulled this off soo effortlessly than Manral. Spare an entire day out for this one , you'd want to complete this in just one sitting.
The only thing keeping her and Prithvi together despite a broken marriage are their children.
On a chaotic day with the weather gone all rough and the roads blocked , someone knocks not only at Aisha's door but also her married life. The person on the other side of the door is Heer , a young woman who looks exactly the younger version of Aisha and also happens to be her half-sister.
Despite the unfavorable weather , Aisha steps out of the house only to never return. Heer not only takes charge but also steps into the shoes of her sister's life , with the kids as well as Prithvi. A suicide note found in Aisha's wallet suggest she has attempted suicide but a strange discomfort leaves room for suspicions.
The setting of the book is brilliantly thought of. An abode in the outskirts of a town in the hills , the rough weather and the suspense created behind Aisha's suicide fits well with each other. The story gives you a realistic outlook on how mental illness screws up a person , eating on the inside and then affecting their relationship and close ones. The author also focuses on how the sexual life of a couple is disrupted after the birth of her child since it leaves an impact on the woman's physical appearance and how the man can't seem to come in terms with that. She knock downs the saying of "love the internal beauty" and how the physical outlook of a woman overpowers that. Manral speaks the mind of those hundred woman out their who battle anxiety , depression and what not , yet they wake up each day and fight their battle.
The author knows her way of making the characters feel realistic. The characters are woven with perfection and flaws alike. Aisha, who battles her demons keeps functioning for her children. She is the spying wife , thanks to her husband's lack of love towards her. Prithvi , the arrogant and disinterested husband (or so it seems) is never in the frame. He retires home at night after work and dozes off without much communication. The character progresses in the later stage when he sets on a journey to find the mystery about Heer and her disappearance. (Note- Aisha goes missing and yet this dotting husband that didn't give a damn but he filed a missing complaint when Heer went missing). Heer , the oh-so-charming young woman that catches Prithvi's lustful eyes and body that have been deprived of physical love.
The words just seem to flow in a speed that not only grips you to the story but doesn't let you to keep the book down. Manral's writing is one of a kind. Despite the dark nature of the book , she keeps the pace going and there isn't a dull moment in the entire book. Never have I ever read any book that explores the repercussions of mental health on a marriage with such an intensity.
Final Verdict
A dystopian setting , a disrupted married life and the demons inside the head , nobody could have pulled this off soo effortlessly than Manral. Spare an entire day out for this one , you'd want to complete this in just one sitting.