Fiction
Verdict: A must read
This book was given to me by my daughter - she had bought it but it was too difficult for her to read. Since I'm game for anything, I read it.
I'm very rarely left stunned by Indian authors anymore. This book was a powerhouse. As the title suggests, the protagonist is a young, Bengali woman. I am not usually a fan of Bengali settings. Our protagonist is the daughter of a notorious hangman. In fact, she comes from a long line of hangmen and women. Much is made of how the son of the family (who lives and dies a very sad way due to the family business) will not be able to carry on the tradition.
The main character's father plays a very big part in the story. He's a drunk, angry man and is used very often to contrast against her. Most of the time, it seems he is out to make a little money any way he can. This is how she ends up being a hangwoman - the father leverages her gender to get her a job and make some money. He even sells their story to the press and tries to sell her to a journalist who shows interest in her for his own selfish reasons. He's no hero, but he is a dominating influence on the story line.
You can feel the tension going up through the book as the execution date comes closer. This is masterfully done. The main character weaves family history and narratives through the story as she moves inevitably towards her fate.
Far from being a wilting flower herself, she begins to take control of her own destiny as the story progresses. The romance with the journalist becomes clear to her as one where he is using her and she ends up making him dance to her tune. She also begins to slowly uncurl her father's domineering control of her life and make her own decisions.
The setting is different in that the family is poor. The author neither glorifies this nor bombards us with examples - it just is. Death is an atmosphere for the family. They are hangmen and live nearby a burning ghat.
It's not at all clear through the story if the main character will be able to fulfill her destiny and step into her father's shoes. In the end she does, but it's a counter climactic moment. The story wanders a bit after that as if all the characters are at a loss of what to do next.
It's not an easy read - especially for those who have no context into Indian authors, history, and culture. But for those who do, it's an amazing read. Try it.
Becky
Verdict: A must read
This book was given to me by my daughter - she had bought it but it was too difficult for her to read. Since I'm game for anything, I read it.
I'm very rarely left stunned by Indian authors anymore. This book was a powerhouse. As the title suggests, the protagonist is a young, Bengali woman. I am not usually a fan of Bengali settings. Our protagonist is the daughter of a notorious hangman. In fact, she comes from a long line of hangmen and women. Much is made of how the son of the family (who lives and dies a very sad way due to the family business) will not be able to carry on the tradition.
The main character's father plays a very big part in the story. He's a drunk, angry man and is used very often to contrast against her. Most of the time, it seems he is out to make a little money any way he can. This is how she ends up being a hangwoman - the father leverages her gender to get her a job and make some money. He even sells their story to the press and tries to sell her to a journalist who shows interest in her for his own selfish reasons. He's no hero, but he is a dominating influence on the story line.
You can feel the tension going up through the book as the execution date comes closer. This is masterfully done. The main character weaves family history and narratives through the story as she moves inevitably towards her fate.
Far from being a wilting flower herself, she begins to take control of her own destiny as the story progresses. The romance with the journalist becomes clear to her as one where he is using her and she ends up making him dance to her tune. She also begins to slowly uncurl her father's domineering control of her life and make her own decisions.
The setting is different in that the family is poor. The author neither glorifies this nor bombards us with examples - it just is. Death is an atmosphere for the family. They are hangmen and live nearby a burning ghat.
It's not at all clear through the story if the main character will be able to fulfill her destiny and step into her father's shoes. In the end she does, but it's a counter climactic moment. The story wanders a bit after that as if all the characters are at a loss of what to do next.
It's not an easy read - especially for those who have no context into Indian authors, history, and culture. But for those who do, it's an amazing read. Try it.
Becky
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