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A review by namakurhea
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan
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.