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_askthebookbug's review against another edition
5.0
The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die - #bookrecommendation
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The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die is a book that brings forward the idea of feminism. Written originally in Bengali by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and later translated into English by Arunava Sinha, this novella is a strangely comforting read. Set in the post-independence era, this book focuses on three generations of women in an Aristocratic family. The translation was what made it appealing to me. I finished it in two sittings and immediately chided myself for being so greedy. This book focuses on how the responsibilities and freedom of women shift through the years.
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The story begins when an 18 year old Somlata marries into a dwindling aristocratic family. She immediately realises the false facade of being affluent that the family has been portraying over the years. The men of the family are useless and detest working. They insist on selling their assets and gold to run the household. Somlata cajoles her husband into opening a store despite being openly opposed by the rest of the family. Over the years, the business brings in a handsome sum of money and Somlata gains respect in return. She's assisted by rest of the men in the family to look after the shops. Though Somlata is a polite woman, she is often unnerved by her sister-in-law who rules the house with an ironclad hand. Pishima, who is a child widow is a bitter woman for not being allowed to enjoy life the way she wanted. When she dies suddenly, she comes back as a ghost to haunt Somlata and torture her endlessly. She orders her to hide her jewelry box from the greedy eyes of the family.
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When Somlata gives birth to a beautiful daughter, people in the family believe that she's pishima's reincarnation. Boshon is a feminist who has been doted on by the family. She craves independence and freedom while being headstrong. The story shows stark changes in the way that these women live. Pishima for being shunned from enjoying her life, Somlata for being a smart businesswoman and Boshon for being modern. A simple yet invigorating read. Gifted by @badphoto_goodbook
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The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die is a book that brings forward the idea of feminism. Written originally in Bengali by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and later translated into English by Arunava Sinha, this novella is a strangely comforting read. Set in the post-independence era, this book focuses on three generations of women in an Aristocratic family. The translation was what made it appealing to me. I finished it in two sittings and immediately chided myself for being so greedy. This book focuses on how the responsibilities and freedom of women shift through the years.
•
The story begins when an 18 year old Somlata marries into a dwindling aristocratic family. She immediately realises the false facade of being affluent that the family has been portraying over the years. The men of the family are useless and detest working. They insist on selling their assets and gold to run the household. Somlata cajoles her husband into opening a store despite being openly opposed by the rest of the family. Over the years, the business brings in a handsome sum of money and Somlata gains respect in return. She's assisted by rest of the men in the family to look after the shops. Though Somlata is a polite woman, she is often unnerved by her sister-in-law who rules the house with an ironclad hand. Pishima, who is a child widow is a bitter woman for not being allowed to enjoy life the way she wanted. When she dies suddenly, she comes back as a ghost to haunt Somlata and torture her endlessly. She orders her to hide her jewelry box from the greedy eyes of the family.
•
When Somlata gives birth to a beautiful daughter, people in the family believe that she's pishima's reincarnation. Boshon is a feminist who has been doted on by the family. She craves independence and freedom while being headstrong. The story shows stark changes in the way that these women live. Pishima for being shunned from enjoying her life, Somlata for being a smart businesswoman and Boshon for being modern. A simple yet invigorating read. Gifted by @badphoto_goodbook
tagoreketabkhane31's review against another edition
5.0
From one of the most famed authors in Bengali literature, Mukhopadhyay is known for being one of the most prolific authors of Bengali literature with a feminist bent in the modern era, so finding one of his books translated into English was incredible for me. In recent years, I have pushed myself to find more books in English from Bengali (West Bengal in India and Bangladesh) authors to read, whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
This short story collection is one of the more well known works of his, and follows the character (the aunt) who does die in the beginning of the book - and it is in death, where she becomes a spectral figure that haunts the younger daughter in law of the family, that we see her truly gain the agency that she had lacked her entire life - and it shows (even in the translated) language that she employs to both aid and push the youngest daughter in law into a penniless aristocratic family.
The story shifts in narrative perspectives of the daughter in law and her daughter, and how their agency and ability to have their freedom is different in how they execute and achieve their goals in regards to agency, money and power.
I recommend you give it a read if you are interested in diversifying your bookshelf and also reading stories that challenge the perceived status quo.
This short story collection is one of the more well known works of his, and follows the character (the aunt) who does die in the beginning of the book - and it is in death, where she becomes a spectral figure that haunts the younger daughter in law of the family, that we see her truly gain the agency that she had lacked her entire life - and it shows (even in the translated) language that she employs to both aid and push the youngest daughter in law into a penniless aristocratic family.
The story shifts in narrative perspectives of the daughter in law and her daughter, and how their agency and ability to have their freedom is different in how they execute and achieve their goals in regards to agency, money and power.
I recommend you give it a read if you are interested in diversifying your bookshelf and also reading stories that challenge the perceived status quo.
mahvellousbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting and unusual read. Although I enjoyed it, I felt it ended quite abruptly and left me wanting more.
miss_ocd_reads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kg18's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
mermaidmoonqueen's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jasbeingjas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such a quick read, and I can't even imagine how beautiful the writing must have been in the original if the translation was able to take me through what felt like an emotional roller coaster at times. There are four parts in this book alternating between mother and daughter. The down side to the book is that the ending felt like a cliffhanger and I wanted to throw the book across the room. I'm sure from a literary or artistic view, it's beautifully done. From a personal view, I'm so mad lol.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
madisonmila's review against another edition
slow-paced
This was interesting, but I still left it feeling a little confused. It felt like it could have been more developed since it was so short. Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC.
loudroundcloud's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5