Scan barcode
A review by byronic_reader
The Queen of Jasmine Country by Sharanya Manivannan
5.0
🔹There are some stories which you can't forget in your life. You grew up with the story and you have a special place in your heart for those characters in the story. The story of 'Kodhai' or 'Andal' is like that for me.
🔸As an ardent vaishnavite (now an atheist), I grew up hearing stories of Andal, her poems and her greatness. As a girl, it is compulsory for us to follow 'Paavai Nombu' every year even after marriage. 🔹The author has beautifully sketched the prominent ritual in her book and it is one of the main attraction of the book according to me.
🔸It took me around 4 hours to finish this book and in these 4 hours, I was in a different century living as Kodhai. The author has nicely articulated the conservativeness of the ninth century and their practices.
🔹Also, the book shows us the emotional roller coaster of Kodhai when she feels that her Paavai Nombu is not successful. It also captures the feelings of her family regarding her situation. You can feel the helplessness of Vishnuchittan and Arali as well as you can feel the yearning of Kodhai which I think is overwhelming (in a nice way 😬).
🔸Kodhai I knew was divine, godlike and distant. But @sharanya_manivannan
'S Kodhai is very human and relatable. I am glad that the author gave us a full picture of Kodhai even to the person who doesn't know her.
🔹Though I didn't like the way the author ended the book, I enjoyed it nevertheless.
🔸The writing was articulate as well as sophisticated which made me fall in love with the book. 🔹Overall, it is a tribute to a small girl who wanted to marry God and even succeeded in it. This became my favourite from the moment I started reading it.
Thank You Sharanya Manivannan for this beautiful book.
My Rating - 5/5
🔸As an ardent vaishnavite (now an atheist), I grew up hearing stories of Andal, her poems and her greatness. As a girl, it is compulsory for us to follow 'Paavai Nombu' every year even after marriage. 🔹The author has beautifully sketched the prominent ritual in her book and it is one of the main attraction of the book according to me.
🔸It took me around 4 hours to finish this book and in these 4 hours, I was in a different century living as Kodhai. The author has nicely articulated the conservativeness of the ninth century and their practices.
🔹Also, the book shows us the emotional roller coaster of Kodhai when she feels that her Paavai Nombu is not successful. It also captures the feelings of her family regarding her situation. You can feel the helplessness of Vishnuchittan and Arali as well as you can feel the yearning of Kodhai which I think is overwhelming (in a nice way 😬).
🔸Kodhai I knew was divine, godlike and distant. But @sharanya_manivannan
'S Kodhai is very human and relatable. I am glad that the author gave us a full picture of Kodhai even to the person who doesn't know her.
🔹Though I didn't like the way the author ended the book, I enjoyed it nevertheless.
🔸The writing was articulate as well as sophisticated which made me fall in love with the book. 🔹Overall, it is a tribute to a small girl who wanted to marry God and even succeeded in it. This became my favourite from the moment I started reading it.
Thank You Sharanya Manivannan for this beautiful book.
My Rating - 5/5