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bieneina's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
atuin's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
I loved this one. I felt sympathy for all three women involved, and found the three different generations of women in Bangladesh all mixing and clashing to be interesting. The similarities and differences between Pishima at the begining and Boshon at the end was fantastic, seeing how the same personality in different circumstances can blossom into something truly unique. The ending is left somewhat ambiguous, but I chose to believe it is happy. After all, the wailing in her heart disappeared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
albs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
katielady's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jentidders's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun, quirky and entertaining novella, which is at times a ghost story, a folk tale, a farce, and a satirical takedown of the patriarchy. My one niggle is that many family titles (which I assume refer to aunt, uncle, cousin, in-law, etc) were not translated, which sometimes made it a bit difficult to tell who was being referred to and what was going on. Nonetheless, it was refreshing to read a book that subverts the ideas about women in Bengali society, and I enjoyed this quick read.
atalia's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kittykhan's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
_askthebookbug's review
5.0
The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die - #bookrecommendation
•
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
•
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