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s_morrison's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
archaicrobin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5 to be exact. I was really excited to read The Daughters of Madurai because I’m trying to read from diverse authors, so when this was a book club pick I was so excited! Unfortunately I found the pacing in this to be a little too slow for my tastes, and there just wasn’t enough happening in the story to keep me interested.
This novel deals with real life tragedies and atrocities that women faced and may still continue to face in parts of India where dowries are life ruining and infanticide is common. The themes in this book were on point, and I enjoyed reading about issues from other cultures.
What didn’t work for me was the plot. You know how the story ends at the beginning of the book, and the rest of the novel is how they get there. The book goes back and forth between Janani’s perspective in Madurai in the 90’s to Nila’s perspective in the present. I didn’t mind the change in perspectives but there was a lack of characterization in my opinion. Even though Nila is written in first person, I felt like Janani was a stronger character but even she wasn’t strong enough to keep wanting to read, especially when every twist in the book you can see a mile away.
I feel like there’s a lot of important themes in this novel, and the writing is simple but well done. It’s just the plot and pacing that really didn’t work for me. If those things don’t bother you, maybe check this one out. Check trigger warnings for rape, nonconsensual, domestic abuse, and infanticide.
This novel deals with real life tragedies and atrocities that women faced and may still continue to face in parts of India where dowries are life ruining and infanticide is common. The themes in this book were on point, and I enjoyed reading about issues from other cultures.
What didn’t work for me was the plot. You know how the story ends at the beginning of the book, and the rest of the novel is how they get there. The book goes back and forth between Janani’s perspective in Madurai in the 90’s to Nila’s perspective in the present. I didn’t mind the change in perspectives but there was a lack of characterization in my opinion. Even though Nila is written in first person, I felt like Janani was a stronger character but even she wasn’t strong enough to keep wanting to read, especially when every twist in the book you can see a mile away.
I feel like there’s a lot of important themes in this novel, and the writing is simple but well done. It’s just the plot and pacing that really didn’t work for me. If those things don’t bother you, maybe check this one out. Check trigger warnings for rape, nonconsensual, domestic abuse, and infanticide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
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