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A review by sravreads
The Queen of Jasmine Country by Sharanya Manivannan
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.