itsophieso's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Didn‘t realize this was written by a man when I picked it up. Was disappointed there wasn’t more in the book from Ponna’s POV seeing as it’s about fertility and childbearing. Felt very patriarchal but was an interesting concept. Hated the ending.
paintedverse's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sabrinasayshey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
shanmugapriya's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kavya_prabhuram's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pavanayi's review against another edition
5.0
The story of the childless couple Ponna and Kaali reminds us the quite often unreciprocrated relationship between an individual and the constricting walls of the Indian society. It leaves one with a question each of us struggle to answer; how much of psychological abuse can one take just to be accepted by our loved ones and the society?
What happens to Kaali and Ponna? Can't wait to read the sequels Lonely Harvest and Trial by Silence.
What happens to Kaali and Ponna? Can't wait to read the sequels Lonely Harvest and Trial by Silence.
jocedun's review against another edition
4.0
It is so refreshing to read translated works! This tells the story of a man and woman struggling to conceive over their long marriage, and some desperate choices they make. The descriptions in this book were so vivid, I felt like I had an exact image of each setting in my mind.
As an American reader, I love Perumal Murugan’s use of metaphor and euphemism. For example, at one point a main character laments the idea of a marriage by saying, “As if it’s not enough to tie a ring around your nose, they want to tie you to a stall as well.” It took me a few minutes to unpack that this was a reference to cows being property, and marriage being like ownership. Such a culturally-specific metaphor!
As an American reader, I love Perumal Murugan’s use of metaphor and euphemism. For example, at one point a main character laments the idea of a marriage by saying, “As if it’s not enough to tie a ring around your nose, they want to tie you to a stall as well.” It took me a few minutes to unpack that this was a reference to cows being property, and marriage being like ownership. Such a culturally-specific metaphor!
thebookishtales's review against another edition
5.0
"There is no female without the male, and no male without the female. The world goes on only when they come together"
~
One part woman is the story of Kali and Ponna, a couple who is unable to conceive even after 12 years of being married.
As usually happens in society, everyone is cruel to Kali and Ponna just because they don't have children. Both bear the brunt of bring barren and impotent. They have left no stone unturned, doing whatever they can for a child. Relatives, neighbours and the village folk eye their land and property and make their life miserable.
Frustrated with everything, their last hopes lie in the chariot festival in the temple of "Maadhorubaagan", when on the 18th day of the festival, all rules are broken and any consenting man and woman can have sex.
This will test their loyalty, trust and faith in their marriage.
~
This book is simply brilliant! I was short of words after finishing it. It just takes you in its world and you can't help but get carried away by it.
Brilliantly translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan, it's a very bold book and a must must read. Murugan has written with sheer brilliance about the double standards of society and how people ostracize others to hide their own frustrations. It is a beautiful combination of all the emotions a married couple goes through. I highly recommend this one. Read it if you're not uncomfortable reading a bold and an unflinching story. Thank you Mridula @ecstatic_yet_chaotic for gifting this book to me.
~
PS: I was reading this book while travelling and invited quite a few stares from people because of its bold cover!
~
One part woman is the story of Kali and Ponna, a couple who is unable to conceive even after 12 years of being married.
As usually happens in society, everyone is cruel to Kali and Ponna just because they don't have children. Both bear the brunt of bring barren and impotent. They have left no stone unturned, doing whatever they can for a child. Relatives, neighbours and the village folk eye their land and property and make their life miserable.
Frustrated with everything, their last hopes lie in the chariot festival in the temple of "Maadhorubaagan", when on the 18th day of the festival, all rules are broken and any consenting man and woman can have sex.
This will test their loyalty, trust and faith in their marriage.
~
This book is simply brilliant! I was short of words after finishing it. It just takes you in its world and you can't help but get carried away by it.
Brilliantly translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan, it's a very bold book and a must must read. Murugan has written with sheer brilliance about the double standards of society and how people ostracize others to hide their own frustrations. It is a beautiful combination of all the emotions a married couple goes through. I highly recommend this one. Read it if you're not uncomfortable reading a bold and an unflinching story. Thank you Mridula @ecstatic_yet_chaotic for gifting this book to me.
~
PS: I was reading this book while travelling and invited quite a few stares from people because of its bold cover!