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byronic_reader's review against another edition
5.0
🔹There are some stories which you can't forget in your life. You grew up with the story and you have a special place in your heart for those characters in the story. The story of 'Kodhai' or 'Andal' is like that for me.
🔸As an ardent vaishnavite (now an atheist), I grew up hearing stories of Andal, her poems and her greatness. As a girl, it is compulsory for us to follow 'Paavai Nombu' every year even after marriage. 🔹The author has beautifully sketched the prominent ritual in her book and it is one of the main attraction of the book according to me.
🔸It took me around 4 hours to finish this book and in these 4 hours, I was in a different century living as Kodhai. The author has nicely articulated the conservativeness of the ninth century and their practices.
🔹Also, the book shows us the emotional roller coaster of Kodhai when she feels that her Paavai Nombu is not successful. It also captures the feelings of her family regarding her situation. You can feel the helplessness of Vishnuchittan and Arali as well as you can feel the yearning of Kodhai which I think is overwhelming (in a nice way 😬).
🔸Kodhai I knew was divine, godlike and distant. But @sharanya_manivannan
'S Kodhai is very human and relatable. I am glad that the author gave us a full picture of Kodhai even to the person who doesn't know her.
🔹Though I didn't like the way the author ended the book, I enjoyed it nevertheless.
🔸The writing was articulate as well as sophisticated which made me fall in love with the book. 🔹Overall, it is a tribute to a small girl who wanted to marry God and even succeeded in it. This became my favourite from the moment I started reading it.
Thank You Sharanya Manivannan for this beautiful book.
My Rating - 5/5
🔸As an ardent vaishnavite (now an atheist), I grew up hearing stories of Andal, her poems and her greatness. As a girl, it is compulsory for us to follow 'Paavai Nombu' every year even after marriage. 🔹The author has beautifully sketched the prominent ritual in her book and it is one of the main attraction of the book according to me.
🔸It took me around 4 hours to finish this book and in these 4 hours, I was in a different century living as Kodhai. The author has nicely articulated the conservativeness of the ninth century and their practices.
🔹Also, the book shows us the emotional roller coaster of Kodhai when she feels that her Paavai Nombu is not successful. It also captures the feelings of her family regarding her situation. You can feel the helplessness of Vishnuchittan and Arali as well as you can feel the yearning of Kodhai which I think is overwhelming (in a nice way 😬).
🔸Kodhai I knew was divine, godlike and distant. But @sharanya_manivannan
'S Kodhai is very human and relatable. I am glad that the author gave us a full picture of Kodhai even to the person who doesn't know her.
🔹Though I didn't like the way the author ended the book, I enjoyed it nevertheless.
🔸The writing was articulate as well as sophisticated which made me fall in love with the book. 🔹Overall, it is a tribute to a small girl who wanted to marry God and even succeeded in it. This became my favourite from the moment I started reading it.
Thank You Sharanya Manivannan for this beautiful book.
My Rating - 5/5
sravreads's review
5.0
This was book six out of the twenty-one in 2021.
Really, this book is the essence of Indian beauty. When I was reading this book, I could literally feel the lush ambiance and jasmine nights that were described in this book. The different characters and the way the authors utilized a very iconic female writer who was immortalized as a Goddess to share her views on Indian womanhood in a patriarchal society.
I really commend her writing style and this work of art. Kodhai soon became a huge part of my life during this book, and I stalled finishing this book for so long because I wanted to hold on to it forever. One of my favorite passages in literature is the chapter where Kodhai muses away about marriage. I really resonated with a lot of Kodhai's words and really felt her yearning for the Lord. How do you really settle for another man when you're in love with the Penultimate? And even despite everything, she still persisted into getting her love.
I loved the ending as well. The author did not take the religious interpretation, and she left it open with a bittersweet ending left to be interpreted for the author. In the Queen of Jasmine Country, Kodhai is not a goddess but she is a regular girl with her own yearnings and needs that are stubbed by her family and traditions. I want to think she reached her Lord through her Bhakti, but of course, it's open to interpretation.
I really don't want to give too much information because this is a book that must be experienced in all of its beauty rather than described. It's like a glistening jewel- even if you describe it, until you have seen its glean, you will not understand its value.
Truly an exquisite classic.
Really, this book is the essence of Indian beauty. When I was reading this book, I could literally feel the lush ambiance and jasmine nights that were described in this book. The different characters and the way the authors utilized a very iconic female writer who was immortalized as a Goddess to share her views on Indian womanhood in a patriarchal society.
I really commend her writing style and this work of art. Kodhai soon became a huge part of my life during this book, and I stalled finishing this book for so long because I wanted to hold on to it forever. One of my favorite passages in literature is the chapter where Kodhai muses away about marriage. I really resonated with a lot of Kodhai's words and really felt her yearning for the Lord. How do you really settle for another man when you're in love with the Penultimate? And even despite everything, she still persisted into getting her love.
I loved the ending as well. The author did not take the religious interpretation, and she left it open with a bittersweet ending left to be interpreted for the author. In the Queen of Jasmine Country, Kodhai is not a goddess but she is a regular girl with her own yearnings and needs that are stubbed by her family and traditions. I want to think she reached her Lord through her Bhakti, but of course, it's open to interpretation.
I really don't want to give too much information because this is a book that must be experienced in all of its beauty rather than described. It's like a glistening jewel- even if you describe it, until you have seen its glean, you will not understand its value.
Truly an exquisite classic.
nuts246's review
5.0
Like every other Tamilian, I had heard the name of Andal and was aware of the Tirupavai which was sung in the month of Margazhi, but that was the extent of my knowledge till a friend literally forced me to read this book. It was with misgivings that I picked the book up, because I am uncomfortable reading anything that has too much to do with religion.
However, I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Kodhai is not your typical religious girl. She is a sensual woman who yeans for love. She is acutely conscious of her beauty, and what she desires is not a spiritual relationship with her Lord, but a physical relationship. Her longing spills out from every pore of her body, she yearns for Him, she wants to press Him to her breasts and merge with Him. She spends her days and nights dreaming of Him, and praying to Kamdeval to give Him to her.
Kodhai is also a woman conscious of the 'cruel laws and cultural mores' that restrict the freedom of women. "Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time", she says, even as she pushes the boundaries of what a woman of her caste and century can do. Born in the 9th century, she could have been speaking for the woman of today.
It is a short read which ended before I wanted it to. I was almost tempted to flip it over and start yet again.
However, I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Kodhai is not your typical religious girl. She is a sensual woman who yeans for love. She is acutely conscious of her beauty, and what she desires is not a spiritual relationship with her Lord, but a physical relationship. Her longing spills out from every pore of her body, she yearns for Him, she wants to press Him to her breasts and merge with Him. She spends her days and nights dreaming of Him, and praying to Kamdeval to give Him to her.
Kodhai is also a woman conscious of the 'cruel laws and cultural mores' that restrict the freedom of women. "Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time", she says, even as she pushes the boundaries of what a woman of her caste and century can do. Born in the 9th century, she could have been speaking for the woman of today.
It is a short read which ended before I wanted it to. I was almost tempted to flip it over and start yet again.
vijays's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hazeyjane_2's review
mysterious
reflective
5.0
**Edited Review 2023**: Upped rating to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, having come to appreciate the religious aspects of this book quite a lot more than I did previously.
I expected more of a conventional fictionalised biography; this blew me away. The deep-running links between sex, religious ecstasy and visions/trances. Andal's religious worship - the sort described here, union with God, is profoundly exhibitionist... in every sense of the word. It’s overt, fervent, fanatical; it breaks taboos.
I love the feminist themes that Manivannan’s woven into this book through the eyes of a 9th-century village girl. The book deals with sexual desire (albeit with God), the power of writing to convey spirituality, and a girl who was never destined for marriage like the rest of her village, who lived and breathes divine fervour.
Andal must have been radical indeed for the time and place she was born into, which comes across powerfully in the text. But I also feel like I’m missing a lot of context, never having read Andal’s poems and not being religious in the least, let alone familiar with Hinduism, mysticism, or anything of that ilk. The rich descriptions of the landscape support the full, lush flavour of Khodai’s burgeoning sexuality, femininity and spirituality, of her growth into something purer than herself. Manivannan paints vivid pictures of 9th-century Tamil Nadu in language that makes Andal’s inner world and her outer world come to fragrant, teeming life on the page.
I expected more of a conventional fictionalised biography; this blew me away. The deep-running links between sex, religious ecstasy and visions/trances. Andal's religious worship - the sort described here, union with God, is profoundly exhibitionist... in every sense of the word. It’s overt, fervent, fanatical; it breaks taboos.
I love the feminist themes that Manivannan’s woven into this book through the eyes of a 9th-century village girl. The book deals with sexual desire (albeit with God), the power of writing to convey spirituality, and a girl who was never destined for marriage like the rest of her village, who lived and breathes divine fervour.
Andal must have been radical indeed for the time and place she was born into, which comes across powerfully in the text. But I also feel like I’m missing a lot of context, never having read Andal’s poems and not being religious in the least, let alone familiar with Hinduism, mysticism, or anything of that ilk. The rich descriptions of the landscape support the full, lush flavour of Khodai’s burgeoning sexuality, femininity and spirituality, of her growth into something purer than herself. Manivannan paints vivid pictures of 9th-century Tamil Nadu in language that makes Andal’s inner world and her outer world come to fragrant, teeming life on the page.
dicefinity's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beautiful writing, love the premise and what it taught me. But nothing else noteworthy
kaviya's review
4.0
This was a truly engaging book for me from the very beginning and the author does justice to the humane side of Andal. I loved the almost lyrical words of the author and it was almost as if Andal herself wrote some lines.
This book brings back many nostalgic feelings from my childhood. She uses some typical tamil words like 'thinnai' and I was instantly transported to my father's hometown .
In some places I felt the author was caught between trying to explain the lingua to the global audience and appealing to the audience who know and speak Tamil.
This book thought a mythology based fiction also talks about social issues like caste and women improvement. Kodhai's honest musings about these issues were some of my most favourite lines in the book.
"Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time . "
It was a very short book and when it ended I was left with a feeling of sadness and love for the complex and complicated person who is kodhai.
This book brings back many nostalgic feelings from my childhood. She uses some typical tamil words like 'thinnai' and I was instantly transported to my father's hometown .
In some places I felt the author was caught between trying to explain the lingua to the global audience and appealing to the audience who know and speak Tamil.
This book thought a mythology based fiction also talks about social issues like caste and women improvement. Kodhai's honest musings about these issues were some of my most favourite lines in the book.
"Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time . "
It was a very short book and when it ended I was left with a feeling of sadness and love for the complex and complicated person who is kodhai.
s_mavin's review
2.0
The book isn’t bad, I can see where the writer was going. It simply isn’t for me.
arthysbala's review
5.0
Mind-blowing book.
I am truly impressed by Kodhai's love.
Kodhai, also known as Andal, the one who rules, is the daughter of Vishnuchitthan.
Vishnuchitthan is a poet and also makes garlands for the Lord Vishnu at Puduvai Vatapatrasayi temple. But the Lord accepts only the garlands which were first worn by Kodhai, who is devoted to him.
This book tells the tale of young Kodhai.
The author beautifully pens down the feelings of the mystical teenager.
The writing was simply amazing and electrifying. The description was so exquisite that you will feel like you are in 9th century.
I adore this book.
Must read for everyone who loves mythology.
I am truly impressed by Kodhai's love.
Kodhai, also known as Andal, the one who rules, is the daughter of Vishnuchitthan.
Vishnuchitthan is a poet and also makes garlands for the Lord Vishnu at Puduvai Vatapatrasayi temple. But the Lord accepts only the garlands which were first worn by Kodhai, who is devoted to him.
This book tells the tale of young Kodhai.
The author beautifully pens down the feelings of the mystical teenager.
The writing was simply amazing and electrifying. The description was so exquisite that you will feel like you are in 9th century.
I adore this book.
Must read for everyone who loves mythology.