3.5 Stars

Wendington Jones finds her world torn apart when her mother dies in a car accident. An adventurer all her life, Pennington Jones has been an inspiration for her daughter. Now, Wendington is left in her Grandmamma’s care with Rohan, a new valet, to handle the details. 

When Wendington receives a half manuscript of her mother’s latest book, she realizes that her mother might have succeeded in finding the Tree of Life somewhere in Australia. One thing leads to another, and Wendington realizes that many people want the manuscript and will do anything to take it from her. 

Determined to complete the mystery, Wendington gets the ship to Australia. She realizes that the danger is greater than she expected, and no one is who they claim to be. Can she solve the mystery and find the Tree of Life? Will the magical tree bring back her mother? 

The story comes in Wendington Jones’ limited-third person POV. 

This is a book I wanted to love. It has everything I like in MG fiction. However, I ended the book with mixed feelings. 

The blurb calls it Enola Holmes meets Indiana Jones, and I agree with the comparison. The number of times Wendington gets into dangerous situations is exhausting. Kids who read the book should be aware that they aren’t supposed to try any of this to have an ‘adventure’. 

Here’s a fifteen-year-old girl- adamant, determined, sharp, brave, but also reckless and careless. Moreover, she is mourning the loss of her parents and is emotionally vulnerable. The book is one danger after another, which means Wendington also has numerous injuries and still keeps going, just like Indiana Jones. 

I love that Wendington is more than capable of taking care of herself. She can get things done and isn’t afraid to bend the rules when necessary. Thankfully, she also knows enough to stay away from dangerous people, if only she could easily identify who they are. 

The first chapter establishes Wendington’s character and does it with enough laughs and bittersweet moments. The first 35% of the book is fast-paced as it establishes the core plot and leads us to it. The last 25% picks up pace again, and things start to come together. However, the chunk in the middle (with Wendington on the ship) gets a little too long with endless incidents. 

One issue I have with MG and YA fiction is how the main characters think they need to take on the world on their own. Ask for help! Without giving spoilers, I can say that Wendington would have had it easier if she went to that one person who controlled the ship. Of course, she probably could have worked it out without running away from home, but then that’s no adventure. 

Grief, loss, and loneliness are presented very well. Wendingtoon goes through different emotions and learns to deal with them over time. Her emotions are real and a part of her. She does grow at the end of the book, so that’s a good thing. 

Percival is Wendington’s adopted pet newt, and he accompanies her on the adventure. The poor guy hardly has any say in the matter, though he is 100% loyal and sticks close to his new human friend. The scenes with the newt are quite funny and will appeal to the target audience. 

The writing is descriptive without being overly done. It’s easy to picturize the setting and the characters. The style is easy- informal and casual enough to keep the reader’s hooked. However, the book doesn’t have a single illustration. I hoped it would have at least a few, especially of the tree. Maybe the final copy will include artwork, but the ARC doesn’t. (The cover is perfect with those little details). 

The ending brings a hopeful and bittersweet closure for the lead character. However, I’m left with a few questions about what happened to certain people who played a major role in the book. It would have been nice to know they got their due. Since the book is very much standalone, a couple of paragraphs to tie the loose ends would have helped. 
 

I appreciate the Indian rep in the book, though I have to point out that India was still fighting to be rid of colonial rule during that period (and for another 27 years!). Rohan's family has been in England for years by then, and as always, this kind of thing leaves me with mixed feelings. 

To summarize, Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is an action and danger-filled adventure story with a capable and clever lead character. The target audience will love it. However, as an adult, I couldn’t help but want to knock sense into her head and tell her to be sensible. There’s only so much a human body can handle! 

Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #WendingtonJonesandTheMissingTree 

*** 

TW: Parental death, mourning, shooting, near-death experiences. 

 4.2 Stars

The winter season is in full swing, and the Virginia planters are in the capital to have some family time and entertainment. Placide & Green Company is putting on two plays per night, and the tickets are sold out. The night of Christmas is no different as people queue into the theater filled to the brim. Everything seems great until the place catches fire, and hell breaks loose. 

Four people, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert, find that their lives change forever because of the decisions they make during the chaos. Their lives are not intertwined, whether they know it or not. And maybe, this is their chance to do what they’ve always wanted. But everything comes at a price. 

The story is presented in the limited-third person POV of the four main characters and divided into four days. 

The shift in narratives works well in this one. It helps in maintaining momentum by forcing the reader to read faster and know what happens next. There are a lot of characters (not an issue for me as I make notes), and it can get overwhelming for some. 

While the writing style takes some time to get used to, it becomes easier to read as we sink into the story. I like that I could seamlessly go from one POV to another, irrespective of the chapter length. 

The book deals with various topics like slavery, racism, gender bias, lack of women’s rights, greed, obsession, ownership, loyalties, etc. It does justice to most themes, even if sometimes the author’s voice overpowers Sally’s voice. I didn’t mind it as much because it works for the plot and the setting. 

The setting comes alive, especially the theatre, the fire, and the aftermath. It’s like watching a reel play in the mind as you turn the pages. Some of it is triggering, but it is impactful and clear. The strength of the setting highlights the characters’ decisions and how these impact others’ lives. 

The author’s notes at the end are the best part of the book. They detail the real incident and the people involved. The author mentions how much of the book is true, which elements she speculated on, and how she used the material to create a plot. She also writes about her thoughts, opinions, and ideas when dealing with the topic. 

The characters seem almost uni-dimensional and without much depth. This could be because due to different reasons, but I think the reader’s experience could have been enriching if there was more depth to some of them. 

This also means that we have to take the actions of certain characters at face value instead of exploring them in detail. A little too convenient for the plot, even if done with the right intentions. 

The overall pacing is slow, which I expected, given the topic. However, the middle tends to stretch a little longer than necessary. Considering that the book’s ending is ‘realistic’ rather than fictional or neatly tied up, the middle part feels extra heavy and dragging once we reach the end. 

To summarize, The House Is on Fire is a poignant novel about people and how their true selves become apparent in crisis. It is not an easy book (multiple triggers), but definitely worth reading. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.8 Stars

Mick, Mack, and Molly are back in action. This time, they are exploring fall, and everything seems to be red, just like their sweaters. Mama Squirrel sits all night to knit flaming red sweaters for her little babies. The days are turning cold, and the nights colder. Fall is here, and little squirrels need some warmth, after all! 

There really isn’t much to say about the story. The trio goes around the forest, finding red items like berries, leaves, fruits, and the setting sun. They go back home, share the events with their mother, and fall asleep. Mama Squirrel knits a red scarf for Papa Squirrel. The prose is okay; nothing I’ll remember for more than a day. 

I grabbed this book mainly for the illustrations. The color scheme here is a blend of browns, oranges, reds, and goldens. Some pages literally glow with golden light and ooze warmth. The greens are here and there, soft and fading into oranges and reds. 

I love how the forest feels magical and enticing. The pages inside the squirrels’ home have muted tones with a touch of darkness (to suit their dwellings deep inside tree trunks). I could go on… I absolutely love the illustrations. 

To summarize, Hooray for Fall! is a cute little book with no particular goal but has some amazing illustrations. Stay away if you want a moral lesson, but indulge in it if you need a visual experience. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

 3.7 Stars

Katie Collins has lived in Ennisbawn, a tiny Irish village, all her life. She loves the local community, the pub she works at, her dear friends, her granny, and the surrounding hills and forests. 

However, the peaceful village is being disturbed and revamped by Glenmill developers intent on building hotels, golf parks, and spas that will bring tourists but ruin the local culture and its authenticity. 

When Kelly, the only remaining local pub, is next on the list, Katie has a faceoff with Callum, the site manager, and his boss, Jack. She is determined to revive the village’s annual matchmaking festival and help people find love. Except that she has a lot to do and not enough time, funds, or support. 

However, Katie and her friends are determined to fight to the last second. Maybe they can pull it off. And what’s a matchmaking festival without some love? What does the future have in store for Katie & Callum and the little village? 

The story comes in Katie’s first-person POV. 

I have a special love for small-town settings, be it rom-com or cozy mysteries. The setting is spot on in the book. It also shows how bringing together a group of people feeling resigned and defeated is not easy. 

Anushka, Gemma, and Adam are great supporting characters and friends. I’m not sure if it’s a fluke or well-researched, but I have to admit how Anushka goes by Nush (instead of Anu) and the secularism hardwired into her psyche made me read much like an immigrant she is. There isn’t much about her background (which isn’t necessary anyway, so no complaints). 

Noah reads like a typical eleven-year-old until he shows maturity in the second half. That kid will grow up to be a good guy. And he loves cakes… ;) 

The writing seamlessly has humor and funny moments woven into the plot. I enjoy this kind of writing, even if it reads a little dramatic and cheesy at times. It’s cute, in a way. 

Granny Mauve has some spunk and has a beautiful relationship with Katie. Also, Katie has a relatively happy and safe childhood. It’s comforting to read. 

Jack Dorsey’s character arc is realistic, possibly better than Callum’s, who goes from one to another real fast. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

I won’t complain about insta-love as I was prepared for it. However, I do wish the characters are a little more developed, especially Callum. He is the MMC of the book and needs to be something more than an enemy-turned-lover of the FMC. Those itsy bitsy bits about his childhood aren’t enough. 

The matchmaker event is crucial for the plot. While quite a lot happens, the core of it is supposed to be match-making. Here, the book misses its mark. We see Katie learning how things that look good on paper don’t always work in real life. However, this could have been elaborated on a little more. Maybe continue the conversation with her Granny and show how Katie grows as a person. It feels like a lost opportunity when multiple hints refer to this aspect. 

The side characters are sometimes more interesting than the lead couple. I love strong supporting characters, but they shouldn’t shadow the main characters. A bit more character development for Katie and Callum would have prevented this. Also, Granny needs more space. She is a darling. 

To summarize, The Matchmaker is a delightful entertainer if you want something lighthearted and sweet. You’ll enjoy it more if you go prepared for insta-love and Hallmark-ish plot. 

Needless to say, I like how the author has a natural flair for incorporating funny elements into her writing, and look forward to reading her future works.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheMatchmaker 

 2.5 Stars

Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage on the cliff (with two 4yo girls!) near the famous Drop, where people come to jump off more than to enjoy the scenic beauty. Gabe has convinced seven such people to live until one night, the eighth person jumps (or falls or gets pushed). 

Soon, Pipa finds out who the dead woman is. Gabe knew the woman (and so did she). But what happened that night? Did Pippa see Gabe trying to save the woman, or was he pushing her off the cliff? As the story unravels, we see the secrets and cracks in their married life. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Pippa and Amanda in ‘then’ and ‘now’ timelines. 

I went into the book with minimum expectations (just to be on the safe side), and this helped me enjoy it a little more. 

Characters-wise, it is hard to like Pippa or Gabe. In fact, Amanda and Max are better than the leading couple. I understand the core of the book is about dysfunctional families and red flags in marriage, but the lead couple is a danger to themselves and everyone around them. 

The book also deals with mental health issues, past trauma, people from broken families, etc. While it does handle a few things well, the mental health bit goes for a toss. It doesn’t help that I wanted to shake sense into Pippa throughout the book. 

At least, Amanda’s POV is better. I could see and understand her better than other characters. Never mind that after ‘after’ POV is super convenient to provide all the necessary information to the readers. It’s good to have ghosts that can move around and keep you updated. 

Pippa is a lawyer, well she does wills and stuff, but a lawyer nevertheless. Seeing how she handled her personal life, I still wonder how and why she chose a career like that. Here is someone in a highly toxic codependent relationship who would rather let things become a mess than face the truth. Oh, did I mention she is an idiot (what kind of lawyer lies about something like that just to get even and not even worry about the consequences?)  

Don’t even get me started about Gabe. I’m not sure if reading his POV would have helped. Maybe yes. Pippa sounds hysterical, and it wasn’t until I began to speed-read that I could enjoy the plot without feeling suffocated and annoyed. 

The core of the plot is also weak. The more you think about it, the greater the plot holes. Unless, of course, you are willing to accept that the whole thing rests on people who make stupid decisions (more than once) and pay the price for it (actually, some don’t). 

The little kids, Freya and Asha, add some much-needed relief to the story. I like reading about their antics and the things kids say and get away with. They did make the book better. 

The climax is bland, almost anti-climatic, and cheesy in a way. It almost feels like the plot is adjusted to do whatever it takes to keep the lead couple in the focus. Given my utter dislike for them, I would have enjoyed it if things went the other way. 

To summarize, The Soulmate is a book about marriage, loyalty, fidelity, mental illness, red flags, etc. It could have been better, though it is decent if you speed-read and don’t think too much about the whole thing. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

*** 

P.S.: There’s a character called detective Tamil in the book. From what I know and confirmed with another Tamilian, Tamil is used as a first name but not as a last name. Aren’t detectives and officials usually known by their last names? 

I, Sea is a short book where a teeny story about a pirate is told using two homonyms, I and Sea. I really like the concept of the book and its presentation. As an adult, it is fun to guess which words would be used next and how the story will go ahead. I’m not too sure if little ones will be that interested in the concept. 

The book should work better for slightly older kids, though they might want something more than variations of just two sounds. However… 

The illustrations are wonderful. I don’t know what the style is called but it is absolutely amazing. I’ve been imagining how the illustrations would pop out in the physical copy and have different textures to suit the storyline. 

Each page looks like it has colored art paper cut into shapes and glued in layers to create a textured feeling. So you have pictures that stand out in 3D (with soft shadows on the sides) and look like a perfectly done school project. 

The color scheme is bright, cheerful, and vibrant. I could go through the book just to trace the detailing on each page. The tiger (kitty) has a crab, maybe as a pet or friend, and that little crab manages to give several expressions over the pages. How cool is that? 

We also have a doctor elephant (a darling) and some aquatic animals flaunting their colors toward the end. 

To summarize, I, Sea has a cool concept (from an adult perspective) and some wow illustrations you have to see. Grab this book for those pictures (I hope the physical copy has textured pages). 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Owlkids Books and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

#ISea #NetGalley 

 2.7 Stars

Azrael, aka The Death Agent, Grim Reaper, et al., has made a mistake. He was supposed to take Molly Molloy’s soul but ended up saving her from death due to chicken wings. Of course, the boss up there isn’t pleased and ordered him to set things right. 

Molly may have had a hard life, but she isn’t going to let a bumbling Agent of Death take her life. Now that she can see and talk to him, she is determined to stay alive for as long as possible. 

Interacting with Molly makes Azrael question a lot of assumptions… and he is falling in love with a human! But how will it end for them? 

The story comes in the third person POV of the two main characters (with an occasional insight by another character). 

The premise is intriguing, and so is the cover. In fact, I requested the book for the cover. So good! 

Death, aka Azreal, is quite a delightful character. Not someone confident and rude but more like an enthusiastic young kid who needs constant supervision. This is rather fun to read, even if it gets exasperating in the second half. 

Molly is a strong-willed character with a tragic past. She still retains her cheerfulness and loves bossing around Dee (Death). There are a few things I didn’t like about her, though these make her more ‘real’, I suppose. 

The first 40% of the book is super cool. Yeah, the writing is a bit different (complex). Still, it has some laughs and weird stuff going on. Entertaining too. 

The setting isn’t explained, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you go with the flow. Sometimes, it’s easier to not wait for explanations and let the story go where it wants to. Yet… 

The book sure has some introspective points about life, choices, changes, etc. However… (more in the next section). 

Though a majority of the story is set in NYC, the setting up there and the role of other people (so many have names, but only a couple of them are recurring characters) isn’t fully explored. As someone who likes world-building, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the lack of details. 

The last 30% of the book is boring. It takes the story forward at 8x speed to cover a huge timeline. However, I couldn’t stay invested in the plot and stop bothering. I just wanted the book to end.  

The climax should have been powerful. It is set up to be. Though, for me, it ended up confusing. I read it twice to understand what happens. Somehow, the impact isn’t there. 

In a way, the book should have been a novella. I didn’t like the preggs trope and the subsequent track. That’s where my interest started to dip. Since the concept isn’t explained much, this would have been more entertaining as a novella. 

I like dark humor. I enjoy it in most books. Here too, I like it in some places. Yet, some of it (again in the second half) gets stressful. I sure don’t want to laugh when a woman literally has to run the household because her partner is not suited for pretty much anything. The said guy being ‘Dee’ doesn’t change things. Not really. 

To summarize, Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death has an entertaining first half and a heavier second half with some weird stuff and dark humor thrown in. It has a bit of steam. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Wild and Ashe, LLC, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MollyMolloyandtheAngelofDeath 

 4.5 Stars

Keera Duggan, the daughter of the reputed defense attorney Patsy Duggan, is making a name for herself as a prosecution lawyer in Seattle. However, she is back at her father’s law firm after ending a toxic relationship with her former boss. Things aren’t great with her family either, and Keera finds comfort in playing anonymous online chess and sharpening her skills. 

Vince LaRussa, an investment advisor, hires Keera’s family law firm when he is suspected of his wealthy wife’s murder. Keera sees this as a chance to establish herself but soon realizes she has to use all her chess strategies to stay one step ahead and win the case. What’s more, Keera may have to make some tough decisions that could affect her family, the law firm, and her career. 

With her former boss and lover as the prosecution attorney, Keera knows the stakes are higher than ever, and there may not be a second chance. 

The book takes time to set the stage but does it very well. We already know how Keera’s mind works by the time the actual case is introduced. This makes it easy to read fast and enjoy the developments too. 

As a legal thriller, the focus is on courtroom scenes and the backend work lawyers do. The police work complements the case instead of overshadowing it. And I got strong Adaalat vibes (one of the crime shows I binged on telly). Am I right or am I right? ;) 

I really like how the author writes women. I was impressed by Tracy Crosswhite’s character though I read only one book in the series. Keera Duggan is also etched to be real and relatable. 

The family dynamics also get some importance in the book. Given how the law firm is run by Patsy and his daughter, this move to present them as a dysfunctional yet loving family enriches the plot and characterization. 

Chess is an integral part of the book (I skimmed the scenes as my knowledge of the game is the bare minimum) and shows the importance of using one’s mind and wits to fight a case in court. Turns out the author doesn’t even play chess. Very impressive! 

Patsy’s alcoholism, its impact on the family, and the subsequent changes in the family dynamics during the case have a natural arc. Patsy isn’t just an alcoholic lawyer. He is a father who loves his children. Never did I expect to like an alcoholic character this much. He made me root for him. 

Despite being a legal thriller, it doesn’t get heavy on the jargon. Only the necessary terminology is used, and some of them are explained in a natural flow. There’s even a Powerpoint presentation in one of the scenes. Nothing more fun than reading about a systematic approach to things (I love lists). 

Miller Ambrose may seem like a stereotype, but he nails it on the head. He’s a character readers would love to hate. I wish Keera beats him in more cases. 

I could guess the murder case and the connection halfway through. However, I enjoy the process of logically revealing the information to readers. I also think the author didn’t try to prevent the reader from connecting the dots b deliberately misleading them or ‘pulling the rug’.  

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

Well… nothing much for me to rant about. But I still got a couple of issues to talk about… 

While repetition is expected in courtroom scenes, the same seems unnecessary during the climax reveal. The conversation gets a bit too long, with one character repeating information that has been already presented multiple times. Since I figured out almost all of it, I just wanted to get to the ‘how’ and ‘what next’ part of the story. 

A certain diagnosis (for the lack of a better word) doesn’t seem to be necessary. The character has already been established. This didn’t add anything to it. In fact, I like it when characters can be who they are without some sort of medical diagnosis to support it (trying hard not to reveal spoilers). 

To summarize, Her Deadly Game is easily one of the best legal thrillers. It is entertaining, intriguing, and fun to read. I hope the author turns this into a series. All main characters have the potential to star in multiple books, especially Keera, Rossi, and Patsy. 

Oh, the author’s note is one of my favorites. It’s a letter from the author to the readers, and that’s how it is written. Beautiful! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HerDeadlyGame 

*** 

P.S.: This was a buddy read with Rosh, and we are delighted that we could get back to a 4+ star book. We discussed the book some (can’t find much to discuss when you like something, lol) and have similar opinions about it. I hope our next read turns out to be as good. 

2.5 Stars (Super Long Post Alert) 

One Liner: Could have been wow, ends up okay (with a fair bit of ideology sprinkled in) 

The book is a collection of five interconnected short stories leading to a common point- Sita’s Liberation from this world at the end of Ramayana. It was first written in Telugu as Vimukthi and translated into three Indian regional languages before being released in English. 

In this book, Sita meets and learns from other ‘minor’ women characters like Surpankha, Ahalya, Renuka Devi, and Urmila, after being abandoned in the forest and raising her twin sons as a single mother. The book is supposed to re-produce the narrative to show Sita’s journey to ‘self-realization’ and, ultimately, liberation. 

Now, the Goodreads blurb also calls the book Volga’s feminist best. The notes at the end emphasize that the book is not simply retelling but revisionist retelling, where the author makes up her own scenes to change the narrative to suit their ideas and viewpoints. The book doesn’t claim to be faithful to the original. I appreciate the move to make the stand clear, except that this could have been mentioned in the beginning (not many read notes at the end). 

I realized that (some) retellings follow a similar pattern: 

·       Strip the original characters of their agency and turn them into empty shells 

·       Add attributes and traits based on personal opinions 

·       Rewrite scenes as required 

·       Give back a teeny % of their original characteristics disguised as someone new 

·       Call it an empowering revision or retelling from a unique perspective 

Anyway, back to the book. This will be a long review, so be warned. I’ll do my best to structure it for better clarity. 

The book starts with a story titled The Reunion, where Sita meets Surpanakha. However, I’ll start my review with the fourth story, The Liberated. 

Sita is back in Aydhoya with Rama after the exile, war, and agni parikha. She is eager to meet her sister Urmila only to not find her in the welcome party. Sita goes to meet Urmila in her quarters (and not the palace. They lived in the same palace, with each wing belonging to different members of the household). 

Urmila has locked herself in and refused to meet anyone for those 14 years. She and Sita have a conversation about Urmila’s ‘sleep’ throughout the period. This is by far the best story in the book. It uses the original premise of Urmila sleeping for 14 years straight so that Lakshmana can stay awake and guard his brother and sister-in-law. 

Here, the author discusses the concept of sleep. Who said it has to be literal Zzzzz? So, Urmila explains how she went through a series of emotions when Sita left with Rama, and Lakshmana followed them and how locking herself in a room due to anger turned into introspection, acceptance, and self-realization. 

 I love how Urmila is very clear about what she expects from her husband. They weren’t the same people as 14 years ago. He would have to accept the new her to find peace because she is at peace with herself and is willing to offer the same to her husband if he was ready to accept it.  

A great perspective, but somehow diluted by the lengthy monologue where Urmila’s journey is summed up in the driest way possible. What may have sounded heartfelt in Telugu reads like a script in English (and not for the first time). Also, Lakshmana doesn’t just go away with Rama. He informs Urmila. They have a discussion, and then he leaves. 

I can’t help but wonder why Sumitra doesn’t get a single mention in the book (not even in this story). 

This is Ahalya’s story, majorly revamped from the original. Here, Sita meets Ahalya twice- during exile and after being abandoned. 

I like how Ahalya doesn’t want pity or to be treated as a victim of patriarchy. She talks about how truth and untruth don’t have clear-cut distinctions and cannot be generalized. Good again. She also advises Sita to not agree to a trial set by a man. Agreed again. 

However, this story is marred by a few issues: 

What’s the point in referring to her multiple times as the Daughter of the Earth if she is stripped of all the characteristics that make her who she is?
 
I don’t think I’ll understand why authors need to turn one character weak to elevate another? Why can’t two strong women co-exist and learn from each other? Isn’t that what feminism should be about? Strong doesn’t equate to flawless. It doesn’t mean the character doesn’t have any vulnerability.

And… the biggest issue is the rewritten version of Ahalya’s story. Why not use the original to initiate the all-important decision as it was done with Urmila’s story?
 
Imagine Ahalya and Sita meeting after Ahalya returns to her original form from being a stone.

Imagine Ahalya asking Sita, “why is that one man decided he could satiate his desire by tricking a woman, why is that another man decided he had the power to curse her for it, and why is that the woman had to lie as a lifeless stone until a third man arrived years later to relieve her from the curse? Why couldn’t the woman decide what she wanted to do after the incident? Why is it that she had to go back to normal after everything had happened?”

And then continue with Ahalya talking about how her time spent as a stone gave her a lot to think about and that she doesn’t owe an explanation to anyone. When there is enough in the original to raise questions (which is the true intention of the scriptures), I see no reason to create new scenarios.

Oh, before I forget. Sita referring to Ahalya as ‘sister’ in a couple of dialogues made me wince. It would be ‘mother’. Sisterhood in feminism doesn’t have to be so literal.

The Sand Pot

This story is about Renuka Devi, Parashurama’s mother. This one suffers from the same issues as the previous one. A needlessly rewritten version when the original could have delivered a greater impact.

This one also messes up Sita’s character arc to accommodate a discussion about ‘civilization’ and ‘forest life’. On one page, Sita is the Daughter of the Earth and someone who is the best when immersed in nature. On the next page, we have a Sita asking Renuka, ‘why should people be uncivilized and behave like animals’.

For goodness sake! Nature’s child wouldn’t go around insulting animals or questioning nature’s laws so that she can be lectured by another woman who opposed patriarchy.

And I’m tired of this Aryan invasion/ migration theory being forced on Ramayana. (More about this next) As a Dravidian, I don’t really care for the North-South divide some people are so determined to establish.

The Shackled

This is Rama’s monologue about his life and love for Sita. He reflects on his life and how being a king meant he had to sacrifice his personal life, and the time with Sita in exile was the best part… and you can guess the rest.

I’m not sure what to make of this one. Is it a genuine attempt to present Rama’s side of things (as I have been told the author is mature and balanced, unlike… well, you know if you know)? Or it is an attempt at damage control by trying to act balanced?

I don’t know.

I’m torn because even though this story gives Rama POV (and let’s consider it a genuine attempt), it comes at the end. So, the last chapter ends with Rama telling the readers that Sita attained liberation while he was still shackled to his Arya Dharma (whatever that even means).

Honestly, this is not what I want from feminist fiction. I want Sita to Show me how she liberated herself. The book has to end with Sita going back into the earth and showing that it inst because she wants to get even but because she has truly freed herself from the bonds in the mortal world and is ready to move on to the next spiritual level. It means she has nothing to tie her to this world- neither love nor hatred.
 
Sita going back into the earth is my favorite scene in the epic, and the book, for all it does, alludes to it multiple times but doesn’t ‘show’ it to me. A wasted opportunity, IMO.

The Reunion

This is the first and weakest story in the book. The author mentions that she wrote it in response to protest Doordharshan’s denial of airing her drama, and it shows. This was meant to be played on stage, not read on paper. 

On stage, dialogues aren’t just words. They are accompanied by the actor’s expressions, body language, voice, intonations, and setting. So when Surphnakha ‘tells’ her story to Sita, we aren’t just reading them. We’ll be feeling the words sink into our minds as our eyes watch the scene. 

In the book, the story is as dry as parched earth despite having some powerful words to establish emotion. Was it an issue with the original, or did the translation mess it up? No idea. 

That said, this one also suffers from the same ideological thrusting when unnecessary. For example, 

The author wanted a humane version of Surpanakha. I completely agree with the thought. Just because she belongs to the rakshasa clan doesn’t make her emotions any less valid.

However, Surpankha is what I consider a larger-than-life character (like her brother, Ravana). She has 1000mg potency and strong emotions. What we get is a diluted 50mg version. Though I like how she takes solace in nature, builds a wonderful garden, and even finds a man who loves her for who she is (after being disfigured), I don’t see the need to suppress her natural flair and sensuality to make her seem human.

Let her be flawed and still command empathy from readers. A single dialogue saying she loved her beauty and was proud of her nose doesn’t really suffice. Show her attitude and the change in her over the years. By the way, how many of you know that Ravan killed Surpanakha's husband because he was an enemy, and this is why she lived in the forests (and eventually came across Rama)?

In this story, Sita compares her ‘metal’ jewelry with Surpanakha’s flower jewelry. This one made me laugh as it reminded me of the extravagant gold ornaments we see in mythological Telugu movies. Seems the author took inspiration from those. And, of course, yet another attempt to strengthen one character at the cost of another.

Sita’s Erratic Character Arc

The stories were written over the years and stitched together to form a book. This is way too evident in the overall structuring and character development. There are bits and pieces of Sita’s strength (when she agrees to angi pariksha) or when she is a single mother who gets overshadowed by the desire to strengthen other women and drive ideological narratives of Arya and whatever.

Come on! Here’s a woman who spent 13 years in a forest, one year in a captive, and multiple years as a single mother in a forest ashram. I wish there was more to show the grit and the strength of her will she inherited from her mother (earth).

I like that her archery prowess is mentioned. However, it could have been better utilized. Luv and Kush and Rama have a small but intense face off in the forest (related to the Ashwamedha horse). Rama wonders who the ashram kids are as they display immense archery skills that almost equate his own. Sita arrives at the scene when she realizes what’s happening. That’s when Rama knows how the twins are.

Moreover, Rama’s family, the ministers, and half of Ayodhya arrive to ask Sita to go back to the kingdom. Rama doesn’t send her summons (as if she’s an employee on a long leave). Sita gets the last word and goes into the earth in front of a huge audience, right in the middle of the forest. That is who is she is.

The Illogical Arya Dharma Theory

Now comes the main issue with the book. It continuously tries to force the Aryan invasion/ migration theory in the Treta Yug. So if Parasurama and Rama (and Sita) were Aryans and Ravan, Surpanakha were Dravidians, which god is an Aryan, and which god is Dravidian?
 
Ravan was a hardcore Shiv bhakt (until his ego took over his wisdom and turned him into an arrogant man). So, does it mean Vishnu is an Aryan and Shiva is Dravidian? Furthermore, Ravan’s father was a rishi (sage). He was no aboriginal.

Then, why does Rama pray to Shiva and Sita pray to Gowri (Parvati)? Why does Hanuman, who is Shiva’s essence, become a Ram bhakt?

If Shiva is also an Aryan, why does Ravan, a Dravidian, consider him his god? Does it mean that Ravan was an Aryan though somehow Surpanakha is a Dravidian? Did the aboriginals pledge loyalty to one Aryan over the other? Why?

And if Dravidians were true natives of the land, why is that nature give birth to an Aryan woman (Sita) and make her destiny’s child? Is it not unfair that she considered her ‘real worshippers’ less than Aryans (if she did)?

As a Dravidian with Dravidian ancestors, I’m having an identity crisis here (not really).

Long story short, Arya ≠ Aryans.

An Arya is ‘a true gentleman or woman’. It has nothing to do with their skin color, features, or region. Unarya is the opposite. Even Ravan is called Arya (or Aryaputra) and so is Vaali. 

Read this little snippet for more or check out Ami Gantara’s Ramayana Unrevelled.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hindudecoloniality/posts/577937237399044/

The End Notes in the Book

I agree with the author when she talks about the issues in the Telugu publishing industry and the lack of translations from Telugu to other national or foreign languages.

Conclusion

The Liberation of Sita has a great concept and shows glimpses of philosophical understanding of the issues. However, it ends up as a below-average piece that doesn’t do justice to most of the characters. As with other retellings, this book, too, suffers from the presumption that the only way to challenge something is to rewrite a new story. 

The purpose of scriptures is not to establish blind rules (contrary to popular assumption) but to encourage people to think, speculate, and take what is good for them. 

Scriptures are mirrors. They show who you are more than what they are. If you look into an ocean and can’t see beyond your crooked eyeliner, it’s not the ocean’s fault, nor is it shallow and useless. 

I can only hope the original is more intense, balanced, and critical than this weak translation in English. Words like machines, mechanical, charge, cities, etc., sound rather odd in mytho-fiction. 

***
 P.S.: This is exactly why I don’t read so-called retellings and revisions. I end up writing a thesis instead of a review. 

 4.5 stars

The title says it all, doesn’t it? The book has a collection of 47 little real-life stories about different animals bonding, either for a short while or for years. Some events happened in the wild, some in rescue centers, a few in the zoos, and some underwater. 

We have Koko, a gorilla taught American Sign Language (ASL) by zookeepers. Listening to the stories about kittens made Koko crave a kitty of her own. Imagine a massive gorilla cradling and mothering a teeny kitty! 

The book also has a story about how a young leopard would visit a certain cow in a village in Gujarat every night. They would just sit together, and the cow would cuddle the leopard. After a while, the leopard stopped visiting the cow, but not once did it harm the animal or other cows in the village. 

The lion, tiger, and bear form an unlikely friendship. A rhino and goat become friends after setting the ground rules. A horse protects a newborn fawn as coyotes try to pry on it. A zebra adopts a gazelle in a zoo. A dog has a time of its life swimming with dolphins every day… so many stories where maternal instinct or the desire for companionship makes two different species bond with each other. 

Each story is short and to the point but full of emotions. The accompanying pictures are a perfect addition. I love that the author added basic information about the species for each story. This enhanced the book’s informative value as well. 

To summarize, Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom is a heartwarming collection of stories that shows us that emotions are not a human right and animals are precious gifts of nature.