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A review by thebobsphere
Pyre by Perumal Murugan
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.