Scan barcode
jasleeen's review
4.0
The main character started off so strong and you will surely sympathize with her. But as the story progresses you feel a strong annoyance against her. It feels the author forgets where she started off but the end sums it all up nicely. We all are lost and blaming others all the time. But we forget we are villains in other people's stories too. A nice read.
moirastone's review
3.0
For a novel that details nothing less than the emancipation of a woman's soul, I was oddly unmoved. Sunita's numbness is a rhetorical device but also, unfortunately, infects the writing. My curiosity about modern Indian literature was only slightly sated though, so as a spur to more reading, I am grateful.
shwetakudrimoti17's review
2.0
Khatam, tata, byebye, goodbye, gaya *sigh*
The last book of the semester 2 novel module and I am sick of every novel I read except the guide.
This book is legit so depressing that it should be named as a girl's PTSD of mother issues makes her a doctor but still faces assault from her husband.
Her PTSD is so bad that she legit blames herself for drowning her brother in the lake and faces humiliation from her mom who never loved her but idgaf about it. And her dad is such a wuss, he doesn't even defend her. And when he does it's after his chick had died. Like wut the frack bro?
Mahn, I guess I need a pick-me-up book.
The last book of the semester 2 novel module and I am sick of every novel I read except the guide.
This book is legit so depressing that it should be named as a girl's PTSD of mother issues makes her a doctor but still faces assault from her husband.
Her PTSD is so bad that she legit blames herself for drowning her brother in the lake and faces humiliation from her mom who never loved her but idgaf about it. And her dad is such a wuss, he doesn't even defend her. And when he does it's after his chick had died. Like wut the frack bro?
Mahn, I guess I need a pick-me-up book.
marmoset737's review
3.0
A lot of people (including those who recommended it to me) would rightly love this book. It's beautifully written and quite haunting but really wasn't my cup of tea. If you enjoy philosophical writing on the changing role of women in historically oppressive societies it's a wonderful read. As much as I love the idea of philosophical writing on the changing role of women in historically oppressive societies, I find very frequently that I don't enjoy the process of reading it (maybe because it ends up feeling more like a "process" than a literary journey.)
rishika_varma's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dumsum's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
zabiume's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
A hard-to-stomach, but ultimately compelling read. There's an undertone of cynicism throughout this book that feels earned, rather than a quirk of the main character. Deshpande does an excellent job of exploring the the trauma of womanhood, as well as Saru's (the main character's) own trauma — and the ways these two intersect.
Although the feminist critique she offers feels a little too on-the-nose at times, Deshpande has a brilliant insight into attitudes and behaviors that the Indian society in the 90s might have otherwise normalized. The mix of first person and third person POV does a surprisingly seamless job in explaining the main character's fragmented state of mind, as well as weaving the story through flashbacks and the present. If you can excuse the occasional tangent from the main character or the occasional colloquialism, this is definitely a worthwhile read.
Although the feminist critique she offers feels a little too on-the-nose at times, Deshpande has a brilliant insight into attitudes and behaviors that the Indian society in the 90s might have otherwise normalized. The mix of first person and third person POV does a surprisingly seamless job in explaining the main character's fragmented state of mind, as well as weaving the story through flashbacks and the present. If you can excuse the occasional tangent from the main character or the occasional colloquialism, this is definitely a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
kriti1d's review
4.0
Got the chance to read this book for non- Detail class while I was a scribe and teacher for MA - English literature. I simply loved the 2nd part and couldn't stop thinking about it.
Slow, painful but worth reading.
Slow, painful but worth reading.
em_beddedinbooks's review
4.0
My first book by this author and I was impressed. This is a dark story with psychological undertones. A woman who comes back to her paternal home after her mother's death faces her inner demons. Her mother was a cold woman who seemed to loathe her as she thinks her responsible for her brother's death by drowning, and who had ostracised her after marrying a lower caste good for nothing fellow. The father is meek and low profile, though he sticks up for his daughter on one or two occasions. There is a young boy who is now staying with her father as a paying guest, and they all set up into daily routine soon.
I loved reading the book and would be on the lookout for other works by this author.
I loved reading the book and would be on the lookout for other works by this author.
_askthebookbug's review
4.0
Actual Rating - 3.8/5.
•
| Book Review | The Dark Holds No Terrors.
•
"A wife should always be few feet behind her husband. If he is an MA you should be a BA.If he is 5'4'tall you shouldn't be more than 5'3'tall. If he is earning five hundred rupees you should never earn more than four hundred and ninety nine rupees.That's the only rule to follow if you want a happy marriage...No partnership can ever be equal.It will always be unequal, but take care it is unequal in favor of the husband. If the scales tilt in your favor, God help you, both of you." - Shashi Deshpande.
•
I finished reading this book sometime in early March but wasn't sure how well I could come up with a review. This may partly have to do with the fact that it was a terrifyingly dark novel and also because of the complex characters that Deshpande brought out. This was my very first book by the author and I was blown away by her honesty. It's not subtle but something that stares right at your face. Another fascinating aspect of the book was the underlying presence of feminism. The protagonist is a feminist through and through and this shines all along the story. Although I liked the book, I can't be too sure if it's everyone's cup of tea.
•
Sarita is a successful doctor who lives a comfortable life with her husband and two children. The family which seems normal from the outside, has problems of its own that only Sarita is aware of. Having had to lead a distant life from her parents, she decides to visit her father on hearing about her mother's death. Her stay extends for months as she comfortably falls into a routine that works well with her father and the young student who lives with him. It is here that she recalls her traumatic childhood, the cold shoulder she received from her mother all her life, her younger brother's death and finally, the memories of her leaving behind her parents to marry her husband. Her dreams of having a beautiful marriage now seems distant to her as she struggles to give her husband's occasional violent behaviour a name.
•
When it comes to story and structure of the plot, there's not much to hold on to. But Deshpande makes up for it with her brilliant narration. Albeit it's hard not to like her stories, there's a subtle presence of darkness that lurkes throughout the book. In this story, Sarita's character is written fiercely, often making her seem more human and relatable. It addresses mental health and many other societal problems that are shrugged off easily even today. Sarita seemed familiar, almost like a next door neighbour and her affliction towards her past is almost painful to witness. This book is one of self discovery and goes to show it's never too late to realise or relive one's choices. This novel might even seem depressing so I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. But if you truly seek comfort from narration and the power it holds, then please do read it.
•
| Book Review | The Dark Holds No Terrors.
•
"A wife should always be few feet behind her husband. If he is an MA you should be a BA.If he is 5'4'tall you shouldn't be more than 5'3'tall. If he is earning five hundred rupees you should never earn more than four hundred and ninety nine rupees.That's the only rule to follow if you want a happy marriage...No partnership can ever be equal.It will always be unequal, but take care it is unequal in favor of the husband. If the scales tilt in your favor, God help you, both of you." - Shashi Deshpande.
•
I finished reading this book sometime in early March but wasn't sure how well I could come up with a review. This may partly have to do with the fact that it was a terrifyingly dark novel and also because of the complex characters that Deshpande brought out. This was my very first book by the author and I was blown away by her honesty. It's not subtle but something that stares right at your face. Another fascinating aspect of the book was the underlying presence of feminism. The protagonist is a feminist through and through and this shines all along the story. Although I liked the book, I can't be too sure if it's everyone's cup of tea.
•
Sarita is a successful doctor who lives a comfortable life with her husband and two children. The family which seems normal from the outside, has problems of its own that only Sarita is aware of. Having had to lead a distant life from her parents, she decides to visit her father on hearing about her mother's death. Her stay extends for months as she comfortably falls into a routine that works well with her father and the young student who lives with him. It is here that she recalls her traumatic childhood, the cold shoulder she received from her mother all her life, her younger brother's death and finally, the memories of her leaving behind her parents to marry her husband. Her dreams of having a beautiful marriage now seems distant to her as she struggles to give her husband's occasional violent behaviour a name.
•
When it comes to story and structure of the plot, there's not much to hold on to. But Deshpande makes up for it with her brilliant narration. Albeit it's hard not to like her stories, there's a subtle presence of darkness that lurkes throughout the book. In this story, Sarita's character is written fiercely, often making her seem more human and relatable. It addresses mental health and many other societal problems that are shrugged off easily even today. Sarita seemed familiar, almost like a next door neighbour and her affliction towards her past is almost painful to witness. This book is one of self discovery and goes to show it's never too late to realise or relive one's choices. This novel might even seem depressing so I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. But if you truly seek comfort from narration and the power it holds, then please do read it.