A review by veenasoujanya
Chokher Bali by Rabindranath Tagore

Yesterday I finished reading Choker Bali by Rabindranath Tagore and for the first time, I didn't know how to rate a book. Because it is Tagore's work are we supposed to give a 5star rating? To be frank I couldn't do so.I have seen many reviewers rating it less saying it is because of poor translation. I feel even that notion is wrong. I felt that there is a huge problem with the plot. In fact, if any other person other than Tagore had written the book I would have not even bothered to pick it up because of the storyline.Again, it is my opinion as for me the plot and the idea matters.The story, I understand is a great evolution for that period but if you pick it now, not knowing the title or author, I feel you can't read further after a few pages.

Choker Bali is supposed to be the story of two women. Again wrong. It is the story of an arrogant, spoilt and selfish man who decides that the world should revolve around him. The characterization of every character might be very real in accordance with that period, but now I think we evolved from accepting crap.

I won't go deep into the story. The basic outline is, a supposedly intelligent and smart Mahendra (he is going to be a doctor so let us assume him to be intelligent), marries Asha after seeing her for the first time though the match was originally designed for his best friend Bihari.(Ok, love, at first sight, I get it