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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
Wow what a read this is! It is chilling, disturbing extremely intense and at times very hard to read. I had to put my kindle down a few times to catch my breath before I could read any further. Damyanti has laid it all out bare with this book and it will be one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
The story showcases the seedier and more corrupt side of India’s capital in a way that I could not have begun to image and challenged my romanticised view I had of the country. My naivety towards this really did shock me at times as the story progressed. In saying that, I am well aware that nothing is all good, just as nothing is all evil.
Damyanti has crafted a story that is a heartbreaking depiction of how women in poverty are treated and how they are subjected to the most horrific of acts imaginable. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted and deals with some very confronting issues which Damyanti does not sugarcoat over.
The story is a slow build to begin with as Damyanti lays the foundation, but she has a remarkable gift of being able to still keep you engaged through this time. When it does kick in, it does so full steam ahead and nothing gets in your way of wanting to keep reading. It just consumes and takes you over from start to finish.
I found Damyanti’s writing just breathtaking and flawless and as dark as this can be, has been beautifully written. As a debut novel, she really has nailed it on every aspect. She is a very gifted storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
You Beneath Your Skin is a gritty and raw crime thriller that has been masterfully plotted, has great characterisation, and is one that I can not highly recommend enough.
Thank you for reaching out to me Damyanti and offering me a complimentary copy of the ebook which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The story showcases the seedier and more corrupt side of India’s capital in a way that I could not have begun to image and challenged my romanticised view I had of the country. My naivety towards this really did shock me at times as the story progressed. In saying that, I am well aware that nothing is all good, just as nothing is all evil.
Damyanti has crafted a story that is a heartbreaking depiction of how women in poverty are treated and how they are subjected to the most horrific of acts imaginable. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted and deals with some very confronting issues which Damyanti does not sugarcoat over.
The story is a slow build to begin with as Damyanti lays the foundation, but she has a remarkable gift of being able to still keep you engaged through this time. When it does kick in, it does so full steam ahead and nothing gets in your way of wanting to keep reading. It just consumes and takes you over from start to finish.
I found Damyanti’s writing just breathtaking and flawless and as dark as this can be, has been beautifully written. As a debut novel, she really has nailed it on every aspect. She is a very gifted storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
You Beneath Your Skin is a gritty and raw crime thriller that has been masterfully plotted, has great characterisation, and is one that I can not highly recommend enough.
Thank you for reaching out to me Damyanti and offering me a complimentary copy of the ebook which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
You Beneath Your Skin is an important, gripping and thrilling tale that takes you on a journey of terror, secrets, the grimy streets of Delhi, extramarital affairs, betrayal and an acid attack that sets off a domino effect of a series of horrifying crimes. But most importantly it's a story about learning to love yourself, learning to forgive yourself and coming to terms with your distorted past and looking forward to a brighter tomorrow.
It's a story that is both familiar and yet strange all the same. It allows one to look into the vulgarity inside and outside that we usually turns a blind eye to. Anjali, our protagonist is both an enigma and a symbol of strength and what it means to be a woman. Damyanti Biswas expertly navigates the waters of patriarchy, privilege and misogyny in a way that is both subtle and relatable in the apparently progressive capital. She also allows for the exploration of the different classes within the diverse city from the slums to the politicians to the police, leaving noone unscathed.
I, personally devoured the book and found it hard to put down once I got in the groove. The air of horror and suspense was veiled under every line and ran trickling down every page. The characters grew and learned and I think so did I. I also have to mention how good of a debut novel this is and the research the author has done going into this book truly shows
I'd also like to add to the fact that apart from bringing into light the heinous crimes of acid attacks and the raw reality faced by an acid attack victim, all the proceeds from this novel will go to Project WHY Delhi and Stop Acid Attack.
It's a story that is both familiar and yet strange all the same. It allows one to look into the vulgarity inside and outside that we usually turns a blind eye to. Anjali, our protagonist is both an enigma and a symbol of strength and what it means to be a woman. Damyanti Biswas expertly navigates the waters of patriarchy, privilege and misogyny in a way that is both subtle and relatable in the apparently progressive capital. She also allows for the exploration of the different classes within the diverse city from the slums to the politicians to the police, leaving noone unscathed.
I, personally devoured the book and found it hard to put down once I got in the groove. The air of horror and suspense was veiled under every line and ran trickling down every page. The characters grew and learned and I think so did I. I also have to mention how good of a debut novel this is and the research the author has done going into this book truly shows
I'd also like to add to the fact that apart from bringing into light the heinous crimes of acid attacks and the raw reality faced by an acid attack victim, all the proceeds from this novel will go to Project WHY Delhi and Stop Acid Attack.
BOOK: "You Beneath Your Skin"
AUTHOR : Damyanti Biswas
PUBLICATION : S&S India
GENRE : Non-Fiction
PAGES : 397 (paperback)
MY RATING : 5/5
.
AUTHOR : Damyanti Biswas
PUBLICATION : S&S India
GENRE : Non-Fiction
PAGES : 397 (paperback)
MY RATING : 5/5
.
You Beneath Your Skin is a chilling debut by Damyanti Biswas--a psychological thriller that delves deep into dysfunctional families, broken relationships, drug abuse, and violence, all wrapped up in an unpresuming police procedural set in Delhi. There's also the relentless Delhi politics that keeps Jatin Bhatt in a loveless marriage, receiving dirty money and participating in cover-ups for minister's, whilst staying friendly with the Union Home Secretary and his powerful family, so that he can keep Commissioner Mehra, his father-in-law and boss, happy in hopes that he will be able to succeed him as Delhi's Chief of Police. If that's not enough, Damyanti throws into the mix complications from Anjali's son's autism, ramping up the tension, especially with the hide and seek that she plays with the truth.
The heart of this story, though, isn't the politics or the crime or the misadventures in love, though all these provide an entertaining though heart wrenching background. It's the poor women trapped in poverty who are subjected to one of the most cruel and debilitating attacks of all--acid attacks. Damyanti brings sympathy to the women caught in this plight through no fault of their own. The fault lies squarely with the men who hold women's lives to no value. In that aspect, this novel is a little sordid--there's no escaping the dirt and squalor, or the horrible crimes of rape and mutilation in this novel.
I love Damyanti's code switching, the way she brings out the different accents of her characters in their Indian English alongside their use of Hindi phrases. I tend to skim over the longer phrases (some of which may or may not be Urdu poetry?), but I'm sure those who speak Hindi and Urdu would appreciate it. She deftly includes translations, and the repetition of certain key phrases is also very helpful.
All in all, You Beneath Your Skin is a thrilling read, full of surprising twists and turns.
The heart of this story, though, isn't the politics or the crime or the misadventures in love, though all these provide an entertaining though heart wrenching background. It's the poor women trapped in poverty who are subjected to one of the most cruel and debilitating attacks of all--acid attacks. Damyanti brings sympathy to the women caught in this plight through no fault of their own. The fault lies squarely with the men who hold women's lives to no value. In that aspect, this novel is a little sordid--there's no escaping the dirt and squalor, or the horrible crimes of rape and mutilation in this novel.
I love Damyanti's code switching, the way she brings out the different accents of her characters in their Indian English alongside their use of Hindi phrases. I tend to skim over the longer phrases (some of which may or may not be Urdu poetry?), but I'm sure those who speak Hindi and Urdu would appreciate it. She deftly includes translations, and the repetition of certain key phrases is also very helpful.
All in all, You Beneath Your Skin is a thrilling read, full of surprising twists and turns.
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set in India an Indian American mother - Anjali - a psychiatrist and mother to a sometimes violent autistic son tries to hold her life together raising her son, working and keeping up a perfect appearance. An affair with a married man - a police man who is attempting to solve some gruesome murder/rape/acid attack cases in the slums. Will he solve who is behind these crimes before more people suffer?
A well written story - written in English with some Hindi mixed in - gives a small glimpse of life in the slums.
A well written story - written in English with some Hindi mixed in - gives a small glimpse of life in the slums.
If you enjoy literary crime fiction, you will LOVE this book! Damyanti has tackled the sordid truth of the murkier aspects of power, poverty, and crime, and exposed the flaws that are inherent in all of us in a way that will keep you hooked from the first page till the last. The character building is excellent and I found myself wanting to reach out and hug Anjali as she tries to deal with everything that is thrown her way, or whack Jatin for being blind to what is happening around him. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
"You Beneath Your Skin” brings so many issues and themes to the surface that it cannot only be considered as just a thriller or crime novel. Damyanti Biswas threads together crime in a big city, crimes against women including acid burning, police corruption, abuse of power, abuse of people who are disadvantaged, drugs, child trafficking, mental health issues, family histories, abuse, murder, and even a little bit of a love story. It sounds like too much at once, but amazingly, all these elements fit together and tell the story of Anjali, Jatin and the nexus between their families and their worlds. When it all starts to unravel, it is intense and much sadder to realise the intimate connections to Anjali and Jatin. I am still shellshocked by the nature of the crimes described in this book against women in India, and the fear that so many women are subject to walking the streets not only at night, but in broad daylight in their own neighbourhoods. The notes at the end of this novel describe the research undertaken to reflect the real-life atrocities, and they are not watered down. For Anjali, a major character, to be thrust in the middle of such horrific trauma brings to life the thinness of the fabric of society. As Anjali’s family history is brought to life, we also gain a glimpse into the internal struggles she was facing, the struggles of her son and her job, her relationship, her heritage. We also see the tenderness in her friendship with Maya, and also Maya’s relationship with Pawan. We see what lies beneath the surface of each of these characters, and we also catch a clear view of is hidden, and realise we cannot close our eyes to it once it is out in the open.
“Try as you might, love is a fire you may not wilfully light, nor snuff our at your will”.
“Try as you might, love is a fire you may not wilfully light, nor snuff our at your will”.