Desert Flower - Waris Dirie

Waris Dirie

Non-Fiction

It's been a long time since I read a good autobiography and Waris Dirie didn't disappoint.

The story opens with her in her childhood and what prompted her to run away from her family in Somalia - an arranged marriage - and her journey after that to become an international fashion model. If nothing else, it's a fantastic story of dreams and impossible circumstances. 

Waris Dirie comes from a very poor nomadic family in Somalia. She is a middle child and had a very close connection with nature. She addresses poverty, nomadic culture, female genital mutilation, toxic relationships, and being a dependent immigrant in a straightforward, humble tone.

Her story is both extraordinary and inspiring. It will inspire you to do better from whatever background you have.

Read it.

~Becky

Hangwoman - K.R. Meera

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

French Lover - Taslima Nasrin

Fiction
Verdict: Interesting, yet depressing

I can't quite remember why I picked this book to read - I believe it was recommended to me.  

The protagonist is an Indian woman with a past who has accepted an arranged marriage to escape from the rumors and problems at home. He lives very comfortably in France and she moves to be with him. She does not know him well, and they really are ill-suited for each other. After a spate of uncomfortable confrontations and traditional minded unmatched expectations from him, she leaves and moves in with a co-worker.  

She wanders through life and job, re-finding herself and generally being content. Then she meets the french lover. Life is good and interesting. They have their ups and downs, but are generally happy. As the story progresses, we see our heroine slowly losing herself once again and being sucked into mind fuck games - such as constant comparisons with a wife she knew nothing about.

In the end he ends up hating her and cursing her, because he feels like he has her. There is no longer a challenge.

Nasrin's protagonist was portrayed brilliantly. She is both courageous and flawed, brave and naive. The husband and the lover were also portrayed in an all too read sense. This book was incredibly hard for me to read as a result. After my relationship history, I think that Nasrin probably had similar encounters with men in her life - the descriptions just ring too true and too vivid. 

It also opened up insecurities in me that I wasn't aware I still harbored. Will he end up hating me? Does he just like me because I'm exotic? I've tried not to linger on these thoughts, but as with anyone who finds themselves married to a stranger, time doesn't give a sense of security all the time. 

Read it if you want your relationship naivety cherry popped, but it's a difficult one.

Becky