The book is a great read despite being lengthy but I felt it is quintessential as it brought out the emotions attached to the characters.
The story revolves around how Mohanlal tried to molest Gita, the mother of Maya’s granny Kamla. The narration which Kamla gave through her letters to Maya is not only emotional but throws limelight on how women were treated those days especially by the landlords and those who had money and power.
Bengal famine was explained in such a way that you yourself could feel the pain associated with it. The predatory men and their lust for flesh could no have been shown better than this since it is very much present even today. Those were the days when the difference between the Good and the Bad touch wasn't known and that is how the unsuspecting women and girls were molested.
This book wouldn't be suitable for young kids but they can be told about this in a subtle manner.
Shakti- spouse of Gita
Jagat - Kamal’s cousin. I am not going deep into the characters or the story as I might end up revealing more than what is required.
How Kamla meets Rajeev and marries him is explained beautifully. Rajeev leaves her for good after Rajika(Maya’s mother) was born and was 9 years old. The rouble which a single mother has to undergo has found a splendid narration in this book.
Letters to Rebecca and Tanya by their respective grandmothers - Lynette, Helga and Kamla were handed over to Maya who later finds out that all the three grannies have met each other in the past.
Ronnie, Maya’s boyfriend wasn’t happy about this proposal since Rebecca’s last known address was in New York. Maya wanted to go, meet her in person and hand over the letter to honour her grandmother’s wish.
Helga - Rebecca’s granny suffered a lot during the period of WW-II since she was a Jew and we all know how they were treated by the Nazis. The cruelty of Auschwitz was presented so beautifully in this book which will make you cry, for sure.
The complicated relationship between Helga and Levana, that finally ends with Maya(though they haven’t met each other) is heartbreaking.
Maya then gets to meet Tanya and hands over Lynette’s letter to Tanya. Though Tanya wasn't receptive in the beginning, she gets to understand the truth.
The cover page is not only striking and appealing but a thought-provoking one. If any granny has time to read this book fully, they would for sure want a granddaughter like Maya.
EmoticonEmoticon