namakurhea's review against another edition
5.0
Let me ask you this: given the choice between individuality and social acceptance, which one would you choose. Would you choose to stand your ground or live your truth? Or would you decide to conform in the hopes of being accepted into society? If your answer is the latter (which isn’t necessarily bad also btw!), how far will you go?
This, I think, is the central question in Purumal Murugan’s controversial novel “One Part Woman” (மாதொருபாகன்). We are introduced to Kali and Ponna, a happily married couple in a town in Tamil Nadu. They actually lead a healthy and fun sex life but alas, after 12 years of marriage, no child came out of their union. The relatives and neighbors start to interfere. Perhaps they haven’t prayed enough? Perhaps their bloodline is cursed? Perhaps Kali is impotent and not man enough? Perhaps Ponna is barren and not a whole woman? Perhaps they were not paying attention to one another. Perhaps..perhaps..perhaps... It got quite intense to the point that both Kali and Ponna had to make the ultimate decision...
You see, there is a linear ‘socially-accepted’ course to someone’s life: study, work, get married, have kids, have grandkids, die. This book is written for those who struggle against this linear pathway.
At its publication, this book was aftually very well-received. But soon it got so much criticism and controveries from local caste-based and religious Hindu groups to the point that the author decided to commit literary suicide. It was so intense that the case was brought to the Madras High Court and it became a fight for free speech. The court ruling is so epic I included it in this post.
All in all, great novel. Perumal Murugan is a staple for my library when it comes to Tamil contemporary literature. It’s my personal goal to read as much Perumal Murugan as possible hahah. Recommend to read “Poonachi” as well.
This, I think, is the central question in Purumal Murugan’s controversial novel “One Part Woman” (மாதொருபாகன்). We are introduced to Kali and Ponna, a happily married couple in a town in Tamil Nadu. They actually lead a healthy and fun sex life but alas, after 12 years of marriage, no child came out of their union. The relatives and neighbors start to interfere. Perhaps they haven’t prayed enough? Perhaps their bloodline is cursed? Perhaps Kali is impotent and not man enough? Perhaps Ponna is barren and not a whole woman? Perhaps they were not paying attention to one another. Perhaps..perhaps..perhaps... It got quite intense to the point that both Kali and Ponna had to make the ultimate decision...
You see, there is a linear ‘socially-accepted’ course to someone’s life: study, work, get married, have kids, have grandkids, die. This book is written for those who struggle against this linear pathway.
At its publication, this book was aftually very well-received. But soon it got so much criticism and controveries from local caste-based and religious Hindu groups to the point that the author decided to commit literary suicide. It was so intense that the case was brought to the Madras High Court and it became a fight for free speech. The court ruling is so epic I included it in this post.
All in all, great novel. Perumal Murugan is a staple for my library when it comes to Tamil contemporary literature. It’s my personal goal to read as much Perumal Murugan as possible hahah. Recommend to read “Poonachi” as well.
clovewinter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fidoe's review against another edition
3.0
Week 52 Book 43
One part woman by Perumal Murugan
Rating: 3/5
Murugan's a fantastic writer. Not just a magician with his words and the imagery, he has a keen sense of human psyche. Even though I've read only translated works, I've loved them.
One Part Woman is set in 1940s Tamil Nadu and revolves around a young couple who are childless and desperate to conceive at any cost.
It deals with the complicated issues of social pressure, the real purpose of procreation, and the intricacies of marital bonds.
While the setup, characters, story, etc all is great, I was disappointed by the end. It left me unsatisfied. Hence the low rating. But still, worth the time. Do read.
#onepartwoman #perumalmurugan #tamilliterature #indianfiction #bookworminmumbai #bibliophile
One part woman by Perumal Murugan
Rating: 3/5
Murugan's a fantastic writer. Not just a magician with his words and the imagery, he has a keen sense of human psyche. Even though I've read only translated works, I've loved them.
One Part Woman is set in 1940s Tamil Nadu and revolves around a young couple who are childless and desperate to conceive at any cost.
It deals with the complicated issues of social pressure, the real purpose of procreation, and the intricacies of marital bonds.
While the setup, characters, story, etc all is great, I was disappointed by the end. It left me unsatisfied. Hence the low rating. But still, worth the time. Do read.
#onepartwoman #perumalmurugan #tamilliterature #indianfiction #bookworminmumbai #bibliophile
bluepoohreads22's review against another edition
4.0
It was an interesting read. The author had tactfully penned down things that a childless couple goes through. Mention of castes are here and there; perhaps there could’ve been more depth.
sreehari's review against another edition
4.0
This book unabashedly criticizes religious beliefs for inheriting a child. A couple who lives in a remote Tamil village in Salem are forced to seek blind religious practices for having a child. Though they are okay without any the society continued to ridicule them whatever ways they can by even calling Kali impotent. No wonder why this book gifted so many controversies for Perumal Murugan.
jimenamedina's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
3.0
sayakel's review against another edition
4.0
The narration is exquisite, simple and so down to earth. You follow the story of a couple, set in a rural area, somewhat out of touch of major happenings in the country, living a blissful farmer life with toddy and lush greenery, as they deal with the lack of children in their 12 years of married life. The description of the culture, festival, rituals along with the gods and the locations, paints a picture that stays in your mind for a long time. There is no exact plot, hence no exact resolution, except for the themes it deals with.
nuts246's review against another edition
4.0
I've been wanting to read Perumal Murughan for a long time and the hook didn't disappoint. It explores the relationship between a couple in love; sexually fulfilled, yet yearning for a child. The many relationships have been etched really well, and the book brings out the tensions of everyday rural life. The end seems slightly anto climatic, and yet is the only end which would have made sense. Would certainly recommend it to a slightly older reader who will probably be able to identify with some parts of it.
the_moody_marshmallow's review against another edition
4.0
Set in rural Tamil Nadu, this is a story about a couple - Kali and Ponna - facing the stigma of being childless for 12 years and the solutions they are offered by people around them. One of the solutions being that Ponna attends a temple festival where consensual union between any man and woman is allowed. This suggestion is what sparks friction in the couple’s otherwise ‘happy’ marriage. This book does a stellar job at world building and really getting into the nuances of a relationship. One Part Woman predominantly talks about desire from a male perspective but it brings in the female lens at critical points in the story. The narrative is observational and topical with the way it portrays societal conditioning. What I particularly love about this book is that it lets the reader interpret certain aspects including the climax however they choose to read the situation. This book is by no means a fast paced read. If anything, it’s a slow burn and build up to what is expected to happen with this couple. I would’ve liked to read more on the aftermath of Kali and Ponna’s relationship, but then again that is possibly the beauty of how this story has been written. Leaving you wanting for more.
Hellfire by Leesa Gazi would make for a great companion read with this book.
Hellfire by Leesa Gazi would make for a great companion read with this book.