About The Book
Kali and Ponna's efforts to conceive a child have been in vain. Hounded by the taunts and insinuations of others, all their hopes come to converge on the chariot festival in the temple of Ardhanareeswara, the half-female god. Everything hinges on the one night when rules are relaxed and consensual union between any man and woman is sanctioned. This night could end the couple's suffering and humiliation. But it will also put their marriage to the ultimate test.
My Thoughts
This book is brilliant, to say the least. The author's work is remarkable. The book holds a mirror to society. It also depicts how human value is calculated especially for women, like, are you married, do you have a child.
These two are the basic parameter for a women's worth.
Ponna and Kali are two people who are trapped in a world where there is either black or white and no gray. Ponna manages to express her freedom, self-esteem, and individuality. But fighting with society comes with its consequences.
The main pillar of the book is its strong writing and depiction of its main #characters. Both Poona and Kali are crafted really well. They have their flaws and their virtues, which make them believable in the eyes of the readers.
Ponna is portrayed as an independent woman who loves her freedom, and sensuality which is not limited to her body, it reaches her soul. Kali is a loyal husband who exists within her shadow. Kali doesn’t have the courage to fight the regressive customs of society and blindly obeys all the social and religious customs to remove his curses from the gods.
This is a must-read book, for everyone, even non-readers should put little effort and read the book. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
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About the Author
Perumal Murugan is the star of contemporary Tamil literature. He has written six novels and four collections each of short stories and poetry. His best-known novel One Part Woman won the prestigious ILF Samanvay Bhasha Samman for writing in Indian languages and, for this translation, the Translation Prize from India's National Academy of Letters.
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