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_askthebookbug 's review for:
A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi
by Manobi Bandopadhyay
• r e v i e w •
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"Hurt and anger are two emotions that I have learnt to suppress and let go. It is part of the immunity package that I am insured under. I have finally accepted the fact that my achievements have no bearing on the people around me. They still think I am sexless between my legs and that is my only identity. That I also have a right to have emotions is an idea that is still completely foreign to most." - Manobi Bandyopadhyay.
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A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi was recommended to me by the lovely @blossoming_reader and I can't thank her enough for this. I'm aware of the fact of people walking away in panic or disgust when they notice a transgender walking towards them. The stigma associated with them is downright ugly and uncalled for. But in a world filled with hatred and hostility, Manobi becomes the first transgender principal by breaking the glass ceiling. But it didn't happen overnight and definitely not without a mountain of hurdles. Her journey from Somnath to Manobi was nothing short of a transformation that a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly.
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Manobi's father always wanted a son and when Somnath was born, he was ecstatic. Little did he know that trapped inside Somnath's body was a girl who desperately wanted to get out. Somnath's affinity towards frocks and dolls grew quite evident as he grew up and when he started disliking her genitals, he grew confused about his identity. At school, boys began liking him, trying to impress and proclaiming their love for him. At home, he openly wore his sister's clothes and make-up, shocking his parents and bringing in hostility from neighbours and relatives. His ability to score excellent marks saved him from being targeted at home but it was clear that his parents couldn't understand his suffering. He was even abused by his cousin in the darkest corners of the house . All this left him mentally scarred. Outwardly, he was Somnath but on the inside he was always Manobi.
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College didn't bring in any reprieve as men sought her out for sex. It was only in University that could she finally breathe without being judged. But her professional life was undoubtedly the harshest as her fellow teachers plotted against her, seemingly uncomfortable about her sexuality. She was abused both mentally and physically for years with little or no support from others. Her romantic life too was taking a hit ever so often. Her desire to dress up in unisex clothes and wear trendy eyeglasses weren't seen in a good light by her colleagues and was constantly threatened to quit. But Somnath was unrelenting, knowing how desperately she needed to save up to have a sex change operation. Through all the obstacles, she did manage to come across a few kind faces and this was such a welcome change. With no friends and family to lean on, she finally undergoes sex change operation and discards the last traces of Somnath behind her. She is reborn in her truest form. As Manobi.
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Manobi's life is nothing short of a miracle. Her determination to fight against injustice in spite of being constantly kicked to the ground was truly inspiring to read. Even as Somnath, she carried within herself a strength that doesn't come easily to many. As she narrates about her friends and acquaintances succumbing to unfortunate circumstances, she heads on like a rolling cloud. Not only was this book very painful to read, it was also incredibly disturbing to see how cruel can people truly be. No amount of jeers and hate could stop her from being the woman she is today and for this, I'll always look up to her.
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Rating : 4.8/5.
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"Hurt and anger are two emotions that I have learnt to suppress and let go. It is part of the immunity package that I am insured under. I have finally accepted the fact that my achievements have no bearing on the people around me. They still think I am sexless between my legs and that is my only identity. That I also have a right to have emotions is an idea that is still completely foreign to most." - Manobi Bandyopadhyay.
.
A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi was recommended to me by the lovely @blossoming_reader and I can't thank her enough for this. I'm aware of the fact of people walking away in panic or disgust when they notice a transgender walking towards them. The stigma associated with them is downright ugly and uncalled for. But in a world filled with hatred and hostility, Manobi becomes the first transgender principal by breaking the glass ceiling. But it didn't happen overnight and definitely not without a mountain of hurdles. Her journey from Somnath to Manobi was nothing short of a transformation that a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly.
.
Manobi's father always wanted a son and when Somnath was born, he was ecstatic. Little did he know that trapped inside Somnath's body was a girl who desperately wanted to get out. Somnath's affinity towards frocks and dolls grew quite evident as he grew up and when he started disliking her genitals, he grew confused about his identity. At school, boys began liking him, trying to impress and proclaiming their love for him. At home, he openly wore his sister's clothes and make-up, shocking his parents and bringing in hostility from neighbours and relatives. His ability to score excellent marks saved him from being targeted at home but it was clear that his parents couldn't understand his suffering. He was even abused by his cousin in the darkest corners of the house . All this left him mentally scarred. Outwardly, he was Somnath but on the inside he was always Manobi.
.
College didn't bring in any reprieve as men sought her out for sex. It was only in University that could she finally breathe without being judged. But her professional life was undoubtedly the harshest as her fellow teachers plotted against her, seemingly uncomfortable about her sexuality. She was abused both mentally and physically for years with little or no support from others. Her romantic life too was taking a hit ever so often. Her desire to dress up in unisex clothes and wear trendy eyeglasses weren't seen in a good light by her colleagues and was constantly threatened to quit. But Somnath was unrelenting, knowing how desperately she needed to save up to have a sex change operation. Through all the obstacles, she did manage to come across a few kind faces and this was such a welcome change. With no friends and family to lean on, she finally undergoes sex change operation and discards the last traces of Somnath behind her. She is reborn in her truest form. As Manobi.
.
Manobi's life is nothing short of a miracle. Her determination to fight against injustice in spite of being constantly kicked to the ground was truly inspiring to read. Even as Somnath, she carried within herself a strength that doesn't come easily to many. As she narrates about her friends and acquaintances succumbing to unfortunate circumstances, she heads on like a rolling cloud. Not only was this book very painful to read, it was also incredibly disturbing to see how cruel can people truly be. No amount of jeers and hate could stop her from being the woman she is today and for this, I'll always look up to her.
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Rating : 4.8/5.