mothgoth's review against another edition
2.75
I was really excited to read a book that explores caste prejudice in India, and I think the idea of doing it through a relationship between two people in different castes is a really good one. I liked not knowing the castes the characters belonged to, only that because they were of different castes, they could not be together in the eyes of their families. The ending of the book felt like a departure from most of it, written in such a beautiful way that compelled me to read it more so than the rest of the book did.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy most of the characters or the lack of detail about the village and specifics about it. Maybe it was meant to be sort of a stand in for any village, like this could be happening anywhere in India, but some more specifics would be nice. The characters were either repetitive or naive and that definitely took away from some of my enjoyment of this novel. An important topic, but I wish it had been executed better.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy most of the characters or the lack of detail about the village and specifics about it. Maybe it was meant to be sort of a stand in for any village, like this could be happening anywhere in India, but some more specifics would be nice. The characters were either repetitive or naive and that definitely took away from some of my enjoyment of this novel. An important topic, but I wish it had been executed better.
_lia_reads_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
mcglassa's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
rebelbooksta's review against another edition
5.0
#Pyre by #PerumalMurugan. Translated sensitively from Tamil to English by #AniruddhanVasudevan.
#bookerlonglist #thebookerprize @thebookerprizes
Caste violence, cruelty, witch-hunt, bonfire, arson.
The ominous forces were at work in making a bonfire ; a funeral pyre to cremate Saroja. The story arc was nothing short of a crime thriller - arson. Perumal Murugan ends in a cliff hanger leaving it to your discretion on the fate of Saroja’s life. What enabled the tragedy:
Had a sinking feeling in my stomach as soon as Saroja sets afoot in the outskirts of Kumaresan’s village. The imminent doom was set right from the start. She was easily convinced by Kumaresan’s constant, empty assurances. The lamb was led into a slaughterhouse. Perumal Murugan cleverly crafted the story deprived of the caste names. This enabled the focus on the inexplicable hatred for something unknown. Unfathomable levels of caste based violence on a new bride was exposed in this story, without even knowing her caste. They had already cast their aspersions on her upon seeing her fair complexion which is a stark contrast for their fellow villager’s dark skin.
The news spread like wildfire and his mother Marayi was ready with her theatrics. The newly wed couple were met with contempt with Marayi beating her chest violently in complete disregard to the terrified bride. She castigated her son with a tight slap, humiliated them in front of an amused audience.
I could not agree with other readers who were romanticizing the attraction between Saroja and Kumaresan. Probably they came straight out of One Part Woman’s read and felt Perumal Murugan has a penchant for old world village romance.
This story is so telling of the bride’s mental dilemma when she laments to herself on Kumaresan’s complete dishonesty in hiding about his life, home, village and its environment. She even pleaded with him to send her back to her home as she couldn’t put up with the abuse she was subjected to. The torture she went through was infernal. Saroja’s attraction for the young lad came from a place of inexperience, misguidance and the infatuation.
She is familiar to the patriarchal control based on her growing up with her father and elder brother. A false sense of freedom was instilled in her. The desire to be noticed physically and to have a young man reciprocating the silly feelings was valid and normal for the tender age they both were in. Misconstrued as love and lifelong companionship based on the tricks of hormones, she entrusted her life and eloped with Kumaresan, an incapable unthinking young lad who could not even support himself. A silly gamble of 2 lives turned tragedy.
The sexual tension between them right from the start was the key factor for the events that transpired tragically. From a background of theirs, sex has been indoctrinated as a marriage privilege, and that a family or marriage as an institution and it’s honour is found between a woman’s legs. They are never allowed to explore their sexuality which is part of nature or to pursue sex respectfully and freely as an individual, personal desire. The warped mentality is held above humanity, entrenched in the culture, practiced rigorously by their people. Marriage for these 2 was not about working out a companionship or building a family together; more so of being able to have sex with the women and having the women to clean up after them. Perverse culture.
Saroja questions herself at every juncture of the torture she lives day in and day out. No responses, radio silence. No redemption, no rescue.
A poetic woe is conjured up from the scene in which Kumaresan plants a tender kiss on Saroja’s forehead. Insignificant and disturbing way to grovel back to her.
He could not protect her, give her peace, love and respect. Kumaresan is repulsively spineless, absolutely lacked any semblance of self-respect, completely void of compassion and love for anyone, undignified and utterly incapable of being a son, husband or father. Just a waste of space and oxygen.
This I must say is the standard of the majority of Indian men and Indian women are conditioned to accept these worms as their masters. And usually the mothers of these type of Indian men are avatars of Marayi.
Marayi’s plight is not so different from what Saroja’s would have been in time to come. She was widowed at a tender age and as a new bride, with no one left to fend for herself. She raised Kumaresan by herself working back breaking labour and shepherding goats to pastures and back by climbing rocky terrains under the scorching sun. She’s a scorned woman turned bitter by her life’s struggles, failed marriage and a vile society to obey to.
She sucked Saroja into her abyss, bled her dry before she spat her out. A woman’s ability to destroy another woman’s life is seen in as the story reaches its climax. Marayi dehumanizes Saroja. She spews vitriol at her, derogates her, torrentially abuses her with vile vulgarities and soul destroying commentaries. I smiled at some of their familiarity.
The erosions of basic humanity was shown when the conceived Saroja had to steal food from her own home for her sustenance or to relieve herself when nature called. Dehumanized and now her life was about to be snuffed out in the name of honour-killing to protect their caste goddess’s purity. Marayi and the villagers conspire against her, chanced upon Kumaresan’s departure, and plotted a murder. The witch-hunt was very much happening.
#manbookerprize #tamilbookstagram #bookstagram #igreads
#bookerlonglist #thebookerprize @thebookerprizes
Caste violence, cruelty, witch-hunt, bonfire, arson.
The ominous forces were at work in making a bonfire ; a funeral pyre to cremate Saroja. The story arc was nothing short of a crime thriller - arson. Perumal Murugan ends in a cliff hanger leaving it to your discretion on the fate of Saroja’s life. What enabled the tragedy:
Had a sinking feeling in my stomach as soon as Saroja sets afoot in the outskirts of Kumaresan’s village. The imminent doom was set right from the start. She was easily convinced by Kumaresan’s constant, empty assurances. The lamb was led into a slaughterhouse. Perumal Murugan cleverly crafted the story deprived of the caste names. This enabled the focus on the inexplicable hatred for something unknown. Unfathomable levels of caste based violence on a new bride was exposed in this story, without even knowing her caste. They had already cast their aspersions on her upon seeing her fair complexion which is a stark contrast for their fellow villager’s dark skin.
The news spread like wildfire and his mother Marayi was ready with her theatrics. The newly wed couple were met with contempt with Marayi beating her chest violently in complete disregard to the terrified bride. She castigated her son with a tight slap, humiliated them in front of an amused audience.
I could not agree with other readers who were romanticizing the attraction between Saroja and Kumaresan. Probably they came straight out of One Part Woman’s read and felt Perumal Murugan has a penchant for old world village romance.
This story is so telling of the bride’s mental dilemma when she laments to herself on Kumaresan’s complete dishonesty in hiding about his life, home, village and its environment. She even pleaded with him to send her back to her home as she couldn’t put up with the abuse she was subjected to. The torture she went through was infernal. Saroja’s attraction for the young lad came from a place of inexperience, misguidance and the infatuation.
She is familiar to the patriarchal control based on her growing up with her father and elder brother. A false sense of freedom was instilled in her. The desire to be noticed physically and to have a young man reciprocating the silly feelings was valid and normal for the tender age they both were in. Misconstrued as love and lifelong companionship based on the tricks of hormones, she entrusted her life and eloped with Kumaresan, an incapable unthinking young lad who could not even support himself. A silly gamble of 2 lives turned tragedy.
The sexual tension between them right from the start was the key factor for the events that transpired tragically. From a background of theirs, sex has been indoctrinated as a marriage privilege, and that a family or marriage as an institution and it’s honour is found between a woman’s legs. They are never allowed to explore their sexuality which is part of nature or to pursue sex respectfully and freely as an individual, personal desire. The warped mentality is held above humanity, entrenched in the culture, practiced rigorously by their people. Marriage for these 2 was not about working out a companionship or building a family together; more so of being able to have sex with the women and having the women to clean up after them. Perverse culture.
Saroja questions herself at every juncture of the torture she lives day in and day out. No responses, radio silence. No redemption, no rescue.
A poetic woe is conjured up from the scene in which Kumaresan plants a tender kiss on Saroja’s forehead. Insignificant and disturbing way to grovel back to her.
He could not protect her, give her peace, love and respect. Kumaresan is repulsively spineless, absolutely lacked any semblance of self-respect, completely void of compassion and love for anyone, undignified and utterly incapable of being a son, husband or father. Just a waste of space and oxygen.
This I must say is the standard of the majority of Indian men and Indian women are conditioned to accept these worms as their masters. And usually the mothers of these type of Indian men are avatars of Marayi.
Marayi’s plight is not so different from what Saroja’s would have been in time to come. She was widowed at a tender age and as a new bride, with no one left to fend for herself. She raised Kumaresan by herself working back breaking labour and shepherding goats to pastures and back by climbing rocky terrains under the scorching sun. She’s a scorned woman turned bitter by her life’s struggles, failed marriage and a vile society to obey to.
She sucked Saroja into her abyss, bled her dry before she spat her out. A woman’s ability to destroy another woman’s life is seen in as the story reaches its climax. Marayi dehumanizes Saroja. She spews vitriol at her, derogates her, torrentially abuses her with vile vulgarities and soul destroying commentaries. I smiled at some of their familiarity.
The erosions of basic humanity was shown when the conceived Saroja had to steal food from her own home for her sustenance or to relieve herself when nature called. Dehumanized and now her life was about to be snuffed out in the name of honour-killing to protect their caste goddess’s purity. Marayi and the villagers conspire against her, chanced upon Kumaresan’s departure, and plotted a murder. The witch-hunt was very much happening.
#manbookerprize #tamilbookstagram #bookstagram #igreads
dany_casimiro's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
From an epistemological point of view, Pyre provides an interesting entryway into the socio-cultural environment of the caste-based society in India.
However, as a story, it lacks a bit. I read it as an outsider to this system, so it will probably touch deeper in the hearts of those who can relate to it more. This is completely fair and something I truly hope happens, alongside fostering fruitful discussions regarding these cultural restrictions.
Personally, Pyre could have benefited from more character development and insight, particularly on Kumaresan and his mother. He comes off as a bland dreamer who does not take the world around him very seriously. His potential is shown here and there, especially when he questions the fairness/unfairness of his village's reaction to his marriage. Regarding his mother, it would have been great to have more discussions between them where a light could be shined on her inner thoughts.
As it is, this book shows potential, but it falls a bit short of it for me.
However, as a story, it lacks a bit. I read it as an outsider to this system, so it will probably touch deeper in the hearts of those who can relate to it more. This is completely fair and something I truly hope happens, alongside fostering fruitful discussions regarding these cultural restrictions.
Personally, Pyre could have benefited from more character development and insight, particularly on Kumaresan and his mother. He comes off as a bland dreamer who does not take the world around him very seriously. His potential is shown here and there, especially when he questions the fairness/unfairness of his village's reaction to his marriage. Regarding his mother, it would have been great to have more discussions between them where a light could be shined on her inner thoughts.
As it is, this book shows potential, but it falls a bit short of it for me.
weaverh's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
prathiswamy's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
blackbird_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
_head_full_of_books_'s review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Saroja and Kumaresan are in love. They eloped and got married with the help of some friends. The newly weds head to Kumaresan's village with a dangerous secret - theirs is an inter-caste marriage - a secret powerful enough to destroy their lives. Kumaresan is naively hopeful that after few enquiries, his mom and the village will accept Saroja. As the story progresses we learn about the harsh treatment the newly weds face, intensified by the harsh terrain of the village.
Pyre attempts to tackle the ever prevalent caste issues in India. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, caste discrimination is present in the Indian society, specially in the rural areas. Given the size of the book (200 pages) I was skeptical of how the author tackles the beast. On the surface, Pyre hits all the talking points of rural India and how the poisonous beast slowly divides people. We learn about the culture through conversations and internal monologues. This is where I wish there was more narrative. The conversations are from the character’s perspective and lack the depth a new-to-caste system-reader will be looking for. As someone who grew up in India, I could relate. For a new reader this book will be a great introduction.
Pyre attempts to tackle the ever prevalent caste issues in India. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, caste discrimination is present in the Indian society, specially in the rural areas. Given the size of the book (200 pages) I was skeptical of how the author tackles the beast. On the surface, Pyre hits all the talking points of rural India and how the poisonous beast slowly divides people. We learn about the culture through conversations and internal monologues. This is where I wish there was more narrative. The conversations are from the character’s perspective and lack the depth a new-to-caste system-reader will be looking for. As someone who grew up in India, I could relate. For a new reader this book will be a great introduction.
The characters are well developed. Kumarsen’s and Saroja’s forbidden love story is very Bollywood like - no complaints there. Think falling in love even before hearing each other’s voice, conversing through your eyes - cue in Isharon isharon mein Dil Lene wale song.
All-in-all, a quick engaging read that opens door to a topic that can be explored further. I am looking forward to reading other works by this author.