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rowangazdewich's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
covertocovergirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
stevensquirrels's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
An artfully smooth writing style lures you into an emotionally brutal story of finding your footing in a world that reviles you.
The story left me pondering cycles of violence - how a personal context limits choices.
How the scars from rejection from the family in which you were raised continue to sting. Even if surrounded by your found family - the longing to be reconciled, even if impossible, deepens the heart ache.
Brutal. Many-many triggers.
Again, wonderfully written. “Madhu loved gurumai, and would continue to do so, but not the way humans experience love. Madhu loved her the way wind loved the trees. She was visible only because of her.”
The book wraps up jarringly fast. I can see why the author made the decision - catching us off guard in the suddenly changed world that the characters find themselves in. But still, be prepared for a slight feeling things being unresolved.
It’s a book that I will keep, am very happy I read, but will only consider rereading if I’m home alone, armed with a gallon of ice-cream and nursing a depression.
The story left me pondering cycles of violence - how a personal context limits choices.
How the scars from rejection from the family in which you were raised continue to sting. Even if surrounded by your found family - the longing to be reconciled, even if impossible, deepens the heart ache.
Brutal. Many-many triggers.
Again, wonderfully written. “Madhu loved gurumai, and would continue to do so, but not the way humans experience love. Madhu loved her the way wind loved the trees. She was visible only because of her.”
The book wraps up jarringly fast. I can see why the author made the decision - catching us off guard in the suddenly changed world that the characters find themselves in. But still, be prepared for a slight feeling things being unresolved.
It’s a book that I will keep, am very happy I read, but will only consider rereading if I’m home alone, armed with a gallon of ice-cream and nursing a depression.
trulybooked's review
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
readwithmeemz's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book from Indigo Head Office.
Honestly, as excited as I was about this book (a novel about a Hijra in India), it fell a little flat. First things first, I was a little disappointed to learn that Anosh Irani did not interview a Hijra until after he had written his first draft of the book. That seems presumptive to me, and if [you] want to write about a population that is so often shafted, and not talked about, it is important to lend them an authentic voice.
As obvious as Anosh Irani's talent as a writer it, it felt a little like he was trying too hard to be gritty. It often seemed disjointed, and I felt like he was just trying to 'shock'. For example, there would be a few sentences that were powerful, and beautifully written, and then all of a sudden, there would be a jarring word or metaphor thrown in - it seemed random and unnecessary, like the author was just trying to go for shock-factor.
I get that Madhu, and many of the other individuals in the book have a really tough go of things, and that their lives are miserable and that it's not going to necessarily be an optimistic novel, it was frustratingly gritty and dark and frustrating. There wasn't a single character I really liked (which I didn't actually mind in this case). However, this book was a bit difficult to get through. It was a little confusing at times, I still don't think I completely understand what happened at the end - it sort of felt like the whole plot built up incredibly slowly, but then the end was rushed and confused and I think that made it lose some of its poignancy.
Honestly, as excited as I was about this book (a novel about a Hijra in India), it fell a little flat. First things first, I was a little disappointed to learn that Anosh Irani did not interview a Hijra until after he had written his first draft of the book. That seems presumptive to me, and if [you] want to write about a population that is so often shafted, and not talked about, it is important to lend them an authentic voice.
As obvious as Anosh Irani's talent as a writer it, it felt a little like he was trying too hard to be gritty. It often seemed disjointed, and I felt like he was just trying to 'shock'. For example, there would be a few sentences that were powerful, and beautifully written, and then all of a sudden, there would be a jarring word or metaphor thrown in - it seemed random and unnecessary, like the author was just trying to go for shock-factor.
I get that Madhu, and many of the other individuals in the book have a really tough go of things, and that their lives are miserable and that it's not going to necessarily be an optimistic novel, it was frustratingly gritty and dark and frustrating. There wasn't a single character I really liked (which I didn't actually mind in this case). However, this book was a bit difficult to get through. It was a little confusing at times, I still don't think I completely understand what happened at the end - it sort of felt like the whole plot built up incredibly slowly, but then the end was rushed and confused and I think that made it lose some of its poignancy.
myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
This was not an easy book to read; it is filled with tragedy, heartbreak, and so much betrayal. I felt so badly for Madhu and her life experiences. All she wanted was love and acceptance, and it was painful to witness recollections of her life with her family and the realization of how Gurumai, the person who she thought would give her these things, betrayed her and exploited her for profit. In a book filled with atrocities, Gajja is the one bright spark, but his life has also been filled with sadness. Even the ending doesn't result in a happily ever after. While depressing, this book is a worthwhile read. Recommended.
ronanmcd's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I did not enjoy reading this book. I hated my time reading it. You cannot describe the experience as enjoyable. It hurts. The text traps you, intentionally.
This is a world I didn't know or understand. I had to Google so many things, some of them painful: eunuchs, surgery, sex trafficking.
But I persevered because I owed it to the book, to the characters and to the real world it reflects. I started to read it to understand this world I knew nothing about.
Ultimately though it comes with little good. Each of the characters can justify their actions to themselves, but really they prolong everyone else's misery. Each act of charity throughout is a double edged sword, and is often a push in a certain direction before the recipient has decided. The charitable acts take their future from them. And even when the see a future it is pulled from under them. It's unrelenting.
That's exactly what makes it a thought provoking look at sexual slavery.
This is a world I didn't know or understand. I had to Google so many things, some of them painful: eunuchs, surgery, sex trafficking.
But I persevered because I owed it to the book, to the characters and to the real world it reflects. I started to read it to understand this world I knew nothing about.
Ultimately though it comes with little good. Each of the characters can justify their actions to themselves, but really they prolong everyone else's misery. Each act of charity throughout is a double edged sword, and is often a push in a certain direction before the recipient has decided. The charitable acts take their future from them. And even when the see a future it is pulled from under them. It's unrelenting.
That's exactly what makes it a thought provoking look at sexual slavery.
garima_bisht's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
It is difficult to describe the experience of reading this book which in one breath exposes the worst of humanity whilst on the other the author leaves a very small window of hope in the individual. The book in its themes deals with kidnapping and trafficking of young girls for prostitution and the narrator of the story is Madhu ,a Hijra ( eunuch) , who from adolescence has found her way into a Mumbai brothel but is called upon to tame the parcels as they arrive terrified in their new Mumbai 'home' .
The book is terrifying and at times the depiction of brutality to children was difficult to cope with but as it is a story based on reality it felt necessary to complete. Madhu is however a wonderfully drawn character as are the stories of those around her and but for the horror I was completely absorbed in her tale.
A brave book and one that I am glad I read although it left me sad at the end about the inhumanity exposed. The small chink of light ultimately did not resolve the ultimate despair and with a word of caution that the themes will may not be ones that every reader will want to face.
The book is terrifying and at times the depiction of brutality to children was difficult to cope with but as it is a story based on reality it felt necessary to complete. Madhu is however a wonderfully drawn character as are the stories of those around her and but for the horror I was completely absorbed in her tale.
A brave book and one that I am glad I read although it left me sad at the end about the inhumanity exposed. The small chink of light ultimately did not resolve the ultimate despair and with a word of caution that the themes will may not be ones that every reader will want to face.
lilycatherinex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0