Shyamoli Verma’s timing is wrong. In her late twenties, she finds that her marriage is irrevocably broken. She comes back to her parents with her pre-teen son and an infant daughter, only to find that she is unwelcome.
Independent and brash, she decides to bring up her children and also get a divorce without any support from friends and family.
Written with wry self deprecating humour, this is the story of a divorced woman's quest for love and security.
MY TAKE ON IT
The beginning was a mite slow and had me worried. But after a few pages the story picked up speed. We can loosely describe the book as a Family Drama.
It’s in first person and is from Shyamoli’s point of view. She leaves her husband Manav because he is having an affair with his childhood sweetheart Nimmi. Shyamoli goes back to her parents along with her young son Samar and baby daughter Ketaki aka Kitty. But her mother Malati Malhotra is dead set against a divorce to the point of burying her head deep in the sand and believing that it’s just a matter of time before her daughter goes back to her husband. Malati feels that divorce will bring shame on their family name and Shyamoli should just sweep her husband’s infidelity under the carpet and go back to live with him.
Despite her father being a retired Judge, Shyamoli is stuck with finding her own lawyer to go ahead with the divorce proceedings.
The story is all about family relationships that have been beautifully portrayed. It’s about Malati’s lack of love for her girl child; Manav not giving a damn about paying for his kids’ upkeep; Uma’s betrayal and more. Shyamoli, despite her fear and timid nature, bounces back again and yet again.
And no, it doesn’t read like she’s a sorry character and the world’s worst things happen to her. Not at all! She’s just caught up in a society that frowns upon the woman taking the first step towards a divorce. Luckily for her, her father Gopal is a strong and silent support. The best thing that can happen to her is the appearance of Mamman Bozorg. No, I am not going to say anything else about this lady. Read the book to find out more.
The characters have been etched beautifully; so real; with a lot of white; black and many shades of grey in-between.
I loved the way Shyamoli gets her back on Uma and Roop’s betrayal. Kudos! It couldn’t have been better. Her relationship with Subodh is again so natural and realistic - two human beings coming together without any constraints. I did feel pity for Uma at the end of it all and it just goes to show the expertise in the author’s writing skills.
The turnabout by Shyamoli’s brother Varun was a complete shock. But I suppose it’s the truth in many homes in a country like India where Patriarchy reigns.
A definite THUMBS UP for the characterisation and story! I must congratulate Ritu Lalit on writing a wonderful family drama that made me laugh, cry, rejoice and sigh. At the end of it all, I can’t but admire Shyamoli for being a mother to her two children despite everything.
Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of the book from the author in return for my honest review as part of the Blog Tour organised by The Book Club.
Agree with your review. This one is a definite winner! It is a story that will strike a chord with many!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shilpa :)
ReplyDeleteIt really did Sundari. I was thinking it was a quick read and I will finish it off fast. But shucks! I really got sucked into the story. I felt so close to Shyamoli. The reality that resonated in this story was superb, And as usual a lovely review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rubina! Yeah, it was too absorbing. Ritu Lalit weaves an awesome tale indeed :)
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