_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)


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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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His Holiness The Fourteenth Dalai Lama is an epitome of kindness and compassion. Although his life is not much of a secret, how much do we really know about him? We know that he had to flee from Tibet decades ago and that he received The Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 but most of us know next to nothing about his childhood and growing up years. In this biography of His Holiness, Tenzin Geyche Tethong has bared it all; be it His Holiness's selection as the fourteenth Dalai Lama or even details of the previous ones, their contribution towards the cultural heritage of Tibet and finally, China's unfair invasion of Tibet. This biography is one of the most informative books I've had the chance to read this year and to make it even better, there are rarest of rare pictures of His Holiness's teachers, family members, of his meetings with various world leaders etc. It is incredibly educative.

What fascinated me the most was the selection process involved in looking for the Dalai Lamas. At age four, His Holiness who was originally known as Lhamo Thondup was selected as the next Dalai Lama. Very quickly he grew up into an adult and this process was hastened by China's invasion. When he had to flee to India in the '60s he was received with such warmth and affection by Indians that he began calling himself as the 'Son of India'. Now, at 85 he is one of the most influential and respected person in the World. This biography explains in detail about how tough it has been on the thousands of Tibetans who had to leave their motherland because of China and are still unable to go back. The political aspect of this book is brilliantly written in detail right down to the dates and years. His Holiness's role in maintaining a peaceful relationship with the Chinese took years to form and his compassion and nonviolent attitude is still highly revered by millions. His love for science, contrary to other religious people who rarely indulge in the scientific aspect of the world, is appreciated by many renowned scientists and physicists. There's in fact, no one quite like His Holiness and this book proves exactly that.

5/5.

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The Time of the Peacock comes off as a unique book to the readers. This mainly has to do with how cleverly Siddharth Chowdhury has undertaken the task of giving us readers a peep of what goes on in the publishing industry. The various ups and downs, the shift of importance between authors according to the weightage of their work and how the publishers think to up their game; Chowdhury covers them all. The title itself refers to a fictional publishing house set in India which brings together an array of authors. Although this book is something that caught my interest, it unfortunately couldn't win me over.

This novel is just 126 pages in length and can very well be finished in a single sitting provided it intruiges the readers. Divided into three categories, Chowdhury has tried to cast a wider net to lure in the audience. The first part focuses on John Nair, who is busy planning a party to celebrate the best-selling event of a book written by a dalit author and who passes through a protest organised to ban beef consumption. Second covers a writer's insecurity of her second novel impressing the crowd while the third focuses on a failing author who was once renowned. The language is vibrant much like the peacock but sadly, it was the plot that bored me. I couldn't enjoy the storyline and found it very bland, the only highlight being Chowdhury's wit and humour. I'm also aware that my review might fall under the unpopular category and so I won't talk about recommendations. If the plot appeals to you, give it a try. And if it doesn't, you aren't missing out on anything spectacular.

Review : 3/5

Thank you for the copy @alephbookco

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The Curse by Salma was originally published in 2012 but the newest edition in English includes few stories from the previous book including other works by her. Kalyan Raman has done a brilliant job in translating these stories, managing to keep the essence of them intact. I read Women Dreaming by Salma couple of months ago which spoke of Muslim women trapped in patriarchal homes and when I began reading The Curse Stories, a similar theme emerged from the stories. Salma's writing carries an honesty that comes rarely in other works, the sort of realness that forces the readers to pause and think. These stories capture women who struggle for basic freedoms, their wings clipped and forced into cages. If you're planning to discover a new author this year, let it be her.

This book encloses eight short stories, each powerful as the previous one. My favourite was undeniably 'Toilets', which focuses on how women are denied basic amenities leading them to be prone to health problems. The disposal of menstrual rag can create such dilemma that their cheeks burn with shame. Second favourite was 'The Orbit of Confusion' in which a daughter addresses a letter to her mother which is bubbling of anger, hate and love. It portrays conflicted feelings between a mother-daughter duo. In 'Childhood' a woman faces her past love and reminisces of the times when she was sure of marrying him. While men were pushed to study more, girls were forced to marry quite early. Amidst these favorites were other stories that revolved around women, unlucky and disgruntled by the rules set by the society. Salma is unabashedly open about voicing her opinions when it comes to talking about desires of women and demands people to normalise it. To shed away anything remotely taboo surrounding these simple pleasures. I will certainly read more of Salma and maybe you should too.

Rating : 4.3/5.

Thank you for the copy @speakingtiger

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I often turn to Sudha Murty's books when I'm in a reading slump or just to cheer myself up. And it always works. This particular collection of folktales took me back to the days when I was a child, spending my summer holidays with Panchatantra. This book consists of previously told popular folktales written by others and told for generations along with new ones penned by Sudha Murty, each unique in its own way. They revolve around morals, urging people to be and do good with an occasional one or two stories of mischief. You needn't be a kid to read these and that has always been the beauty of her books. The language is so simple yet leaves no room for complaints but in fact makes you go back for more. Her humbleness reflects in her writing, making it impossible not to like them. This one too was one such book.

The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories is a collection of 37 folktales, each different than the other. At the very beginning, Sudha Murty tells the readers how she chose not to include any stories of Gods and animals, removing the supernatural aspect that they carry but to bring those stories together in which people who are in trouble cleverly extricate themselves by wit. There are stories of how rich cheat the poor but end up with their plans backfired. Tales of good Samaritans stepping in to dictate justice, ministers of Kings chosen for their sharp minds, princesses finding their match in clever and ordinary men; these enjoyable narratives were wonderful to read. This book comes as a reminder that even though material wealth is volatile, knowledge is something that invariably stays.

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Mr and Mrs Pinto is a delightful book that speaks of lost love. Marriages usually get monotonous when you spend decades together. Couples fall into a familiar lull and most often forget why they fell in love in the first place. In this short story, Sebastian Pinto, a man in his seventies ponders over his marriage and how he can no longer find the spark that was snuffed many years ago. He recalls the day he fell in love with his wife, her exuberant laughter and the bond that they shared during the earliest years of their marriage. But now, on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Sebastian feels disappointed about how his relationship has turned out to be. And then something happens.

When he visits the Church, he spots a young bride who's the spitting image of Jaya and he's instantly filled with memories. All his ideas of reincarnation makes him want to stop the wedding and claim the bride as his Jaya. What follows next is his attempts at stalling the wedding. The book is barely 25 pages long but it's truly a heartwarming read, convincing one to never stop believing in love. Marriage, like everything else can be kept alive if it is done right and Sebastian finds his long lost love in Jaya once again by the end of the story. Reading Mr and Mrs Pinto felt like receiving a warm hug on a chilly day, like one's soft blanket with its familiar scent that's comforting. There are lovely illustrations to assist the story, giving life to Sebastian's face. If you're looking for a short yet charming read, this one's for you. I will surely be on the lookout for more such treats by the author :)

Rating : 4.1/5.

// The Truth About Me by Revathi (translated by V. Geetha)

Imagine being reminded every day that the life you've chosen isn't valid. The Truth About Me is a compelling memoir about Revathi, a trans woman who gives us a good view of how the hijra community works. Indians barely consider the lives of those who fall outside the only two genders that they are willing to acknowledge. There's a man and a woman and everything else that falls outside this closed, conservative and stifling box is automatically deemed to be wrong. We often spot hijras at traffic signals asking for money and are quick to shoo them away or even to slouch low so as to not be seen by them. We come from a place where we pass harsh comments about the work that they do, all the while refusing to hire them for decent jobs. Oh, the irony. Revathi's story is full of compassion and hurt but more than that it is enlightening.

Born as Doraisamy, Revathi never felt comfortable in her skin. As time goes by, she braves to learn more about her sexuality and in the process joins the hijra community. I was blown away by how complex the relationships are within their community in addition to the relationships, hierarchy and undying loyalty that they share with each other. This book is a huge learning process, one that nudges the readers to feel rather than just having to know about them. There's no doubt that this memoir carries a lot of hurt, most of it coming from their own families but it also serves as a reminder that one is never alone in having to come to terms with their sexuality. There's bravery, joy, independence and of course hope that someday, people will be willing to listen to their stories. It doesn't take much for them to feel safe but we as humans have failed time and again to give them the respect and support that they rightfully deserve.

The Truth About Me is one of those books that makes you ponder over your own actions or of those around you who refuse to acknowledge or even listen to the repressed community. Be a better person. Buy this book and learn about the trans community.

Skinned Gods by @sjsindu

I guess when you lie for so long, you actually start living it. You forget your identity and it seeps out like an old photograph losing its colour.

In Blue Skinned Gods, there's a child who is told that he is Kalki, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and who is entrusted with the responsibility of healing the world and its people. He grows up being worshipped, his blue tinged skin a thing of wonder. While Kalki is paraded as a God, he only craves to be an ordinary child like his cousin Lakshman. But he is burdened with lessons and sessions by his Ayya (father), a man with a mean temper.

As Kalki grows up, he is expected to pass three trials, one of which includes healing a person who is on the verge of breathing his/her last. These trials come and go, leaving a shift in Kalki each time. Amidst all his success, there's always something amiss. Some gnawing doubt that he may not be a God afterall. But soon enough, Kalki begins to ask questions that he ignored his entire life. Questions about his powers, his existence and also of his purpose.

I would hate to reveal the rest of the story because Kalki's journey truly begins at the very middle of the book. His exploration of religion, sexuality and human emotions are portrayed beautifully by Sindu. You start noticing how cleverly she charts his growth and of the other characters flanked around him. The existence of God is a debatable topic and Kalki's character draws out more questions pertaining to this matter.

Below the beautiful blue cover of this book, lies an array of topics that will sooner or later beckon you.

I highly recommend this one. Thank you for the copy @soho_press and thank you @sjsindu for introducing Kalki to us.

// Candy Floss by Bhavyakirti

I read poetry rarely and even more rarely do I actually like them. A couple of weeks ago I read Teething and fell head over heels in love with Megha's use of metaphors. Anything else that I'd probably read will be compared with Teething subconsciously. When I read Candy Floss, I was quite disappointed. Although I did enjoy a couple of poems, the overall purpose of them didn't make sense to me.

Written about mundane things and regular events, Candy Floss collects a bunch of emotions and ties it all together. I enjoyed the poems about father and mother. The rest fell somewhere between 'like' and 'okay'.

Will I recommend Candy Floss to you? Perhaps, yes. My review may just belong to the unpopular team.