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pikusonali's review against another edition
4.0
I became a Perumal Murugan fan when I read Poonachi last year. What a book and what a story! I can say the same thing about Pyre. My respect for the author just keeps increasing.
Murugan is a writer who handles social issues with remarkable deftness. At the heart of Pyre lies a commentary on caste. In a country which is obsessed with (trivial) things like caste, sub-caste, religion, gender...Murugan weaves a chilling tale of a young couple caught amidst a society's brutal reaction and subsequent wrath.
When Kumaresan marries the lovely Saroja and brings her home to his rigid village, the people, who are intolerant to such 'abominable' behaviour turn on them, ostracise them and then ultimately plot to harm them to save the 'reputation' of the village.
No, not an easy book to read but what is written couldn't be more true. This is India and 'honour killings' here are rampant in many rural parts. But the translation is good and the story will grip you from the first word. Recommended!
Murugan is a writer who handles social issues with remarkable deftness. At the heart of Pyre lies a commentary on caste. In a country which is obsessed with (trivial) things like caste, sub-caste, religion, gender...Murugan weaves a chilling tale of a young couple caught amidst a society's brutal reaction and subsequent wrath.
When Kumaresan marries the lovely Saroja and brings her home to his rigid village, the people, who are intolerant to such 'abominable' behaviour turn on them, ostracise them and then ultimately plot to harm them to save the 'reputation' of the village.
No, not an easy book to read but what is written couldn't be more true. This is India and 'honour killings' here are rampant in many rural parts. But the translation is good and the story will grip you from the first word. Recommended!
aleena_susu's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
martareader's review against another edition
5.0
4.5*
Finally an IB2023 book i don't only like (or absolutely hate or feel nothing about) but LOVE!
This is a devastating love story of two people from not only different parts of a country but also part of different social class. It's a story of love, of class, of being an outcast and of loneliness.
Highly recommend it if you want a book that will make you cry your water body weight off!
Finally an IB2023 book i don't only like (or absolutely hate or feel nothing about) but LOVE!
This is a devastating love story of two people from not only different parts of a country but also part of different social class. It's a story of love, of class, of being an outcast and of loneliness.
Highly recommend it if you want a book that will make you cry your water body weight off!
tanisha97's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
whatistasareading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dukegregory's review against another edition
1.0
1.5
Dreadfully dull. Skimmed much of it. The writing was bereft of style, and the characters are wooden, and everything just boringly comes and goes. The ending is wildly melodramatic in an almost Ramayana-esque manner.
Dreadfully dull. Skimmed much of it. The writing was bereft of style, and the characters are wooden, and everything just boringly comes and goes. The ending is wildly melodramatic in an almost Ramayana-esque manner.
whatever_andra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
After two IB novels, I didn’t really like, I’m glad things are back on track with Pyre. It’s also harks to the mother/child theme.
Saroja and Kumaresan are newly married and are going to return to Kumaresan’s village. The problem is that Saroja is a different caste than Kumaresan, which, at first is a secret. As time passes the whole village discovers this secret and this endangers the couple.
Pyre is a subtle book. We figure out the different castes by the way Saroja talks about simple things, such as her term for a matchstick, which gives her away or some of the foods she eats, which Kumaresan never does. When they return to the village, the book turns into a social study. We see how Saroja’s mother in law treats her, how the villagers react to the marriage and how village traditions revolve around couples from the same caste.
In the translator’s notes Aniruddhan also remarks that Pyre is about the strength of love. No matter how tough the adversaries are, love can overcome a caste. I agree with this as the book does focus on how the couple are truly devoted to each other.
I enjoyed Pyre – It’s one of those books that creep up on you when you least expect it.
Saroja and Kumaresan are newly married and are going to return to Kumaresan’s village. The problem is that Saroja is a different caste than Kumaresan, which, at first is a secret. As time passes the whole village discovers this secret and this endangers the couple.
Pyre is a subtle book. We figure out the different castes by the way Saroja talks about simple things, such as her term for a matchstick, which gives her away or some of the foods she eats, which Kumaresan never does. When they return to the village, the book turns into a social study. We see how Saroja’s mother in law treats her, how the villagers react to the marriage and how village traditions revolve around couples from the same caste.
In the translator’s notes Aniruddhan also remarks that Pyre is about the strength of love. No matter how tough the adversaries are, love can overcome a caste. I agree with this as the book does focus on how the couple are truly devoted to each other.
I enjoyed Pyre – It’s one of those books that creep up on you when you least expect it.
cognitivediceonance's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
katebirdie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5