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A review by bookandbooksonly
The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
4.0
"The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die" beckons readers into a mesmerizing literary world, a tapestry woven with the laughter, sorrows, and indomitable spirit of three generations of Bengali women.
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Within the pages of this masterfully translated novel, we encounter a story that seamlessly blends humor, heartfelt moments, and a profound exploration of love, family, and the yearning for freedom.
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At the story's core is Somlata, a young bride thrust into the midst of the Mitra family's dynastic, yet faltering, dynasty. Her initial expectation of settling into the customary role of a devout wife is abruptly overturned when she stumbles upon the lifeless form of her great aunt-in-law, Pishima, within the sprawling, timeworn Mitra mansion.
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Pishima, a child bride widowed at the tender age of twelve, spent her life in perpetual widowhood, nursing a long-standing grievance against the Mitras for denying her the chance to experience love.
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In death, her spirit refuses to fade quietly into the beyond, opting instead to orchestrate a series of mischievous interventions in the lives of her descendants.
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Pishima's first act after departing this world is to entrust Somlata with a cryptic box of gold, urging her to safeguard it from the insatiable clutches of the Mitras.
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However, as Somlata witnesses her newfound family squander their wealth, teetering on the brink of financial ruin, she contemplates daring alternatives.
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Enter Boshon, an audacious teenager with an insatiable love for books, a spirited rebellion against societal norms, and an unwavering desire for an education that promises liberation.
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She defies the expectations of suitors vying for her hand, instead falling in love with a neighbor recently returned from America.
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"The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die" is a whirlwind of wit, humor, and fresh perspectives. Across generations, the Mitra women astound with their resilience and the unexpected directions their lives take.
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This novel is a celebration of the enduring bonds of family and the indomitable spirit of women in the face of tradition and change. It's a captivating and thought-provoking narrative that will leave readers both enchanted and deeply moved. I rated it 4/5.