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袣邪泻胁芯 锌芯屑薪懈 褌褟谢芯褌芯
袚芯写懈薪邪褌邪 械 1937. 袨褋褌邪薪邪谢邪褌邪 斜械蟹 屑邪泄泻邪 懈 褋褗褋 蟹邪褌褗薪邪谢 胁 写褗谢谐芯胁械 斜邪褖邪, 袪褍锌 薪邪褍褔邪胁邪, 褔械 械 写邪写械薪邪 蟹邪 胁褌芯褉邪 卸械薪邪 薪邪 褋邪褉写邪褉 写卸懈 鈥� 斜芯谐邪褌 褋懈泻褏褋泻懈 蟹械屑械胁谢邪写械谢械褑, 褔懈褟褌芯 锌褗褉胁邪 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪 小邪褌褟 薪械 屑芯卸械 写邪 屑褍 褉芯写懈 写械褑邪. 袪褍锌 褋械 褋邪屑芯蟹邪谢褗谐胁邪, 褔械 蟹写褉邪胁芯屑懈褋谢械褖邪褌邪 小邪褌褟 褖械 褟 锌褉懈械屑械 泻邪褌芯 褋械褋褌褉邪, 薪芯 芯褌薪芯褕械薪懈褟褌邪 懈屑 褋泻芯褉芯 褋械 懈蟹芯褋褌褉褟褌 懈 懈蟹锌褗谢胁邪褌 褋 谐芯褉褔懈胁懈薪邪.
"袣邪泻胁芯 锌芯屑薪懈 褌褟谢芯褌芯" 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹胁邪 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 小邪褌褟. 袩芯泻褉褍褋械薪邪 懈 芯谐芯褉褔械薪邪, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 褋邪褉写邪褉 写卸懈 胁芯写懈 胁 泻褗褖邪褌邪 懈屑 袪褍锌, 小邪褌褟 锌褉械写锌褉懈械屑邪 芯褌褔邪褟薪懈 褋褌褗锌泻懈, 蟹邪 写邪 蟹邪锌邪蟹懈 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械褌芯 褋懈 胁 芯斜褖械褋褌胁芯褌芯 懈 写邪 褋懈 胁褗褉薪械 褋褗褉褑械褌芯 薪邪 褋邪褉写邪褉 写卸懈. 小邪屑懈褟褌 褌芯泄 锌褉械卸懈胁褟胁邪 褌械卸泻懈 屑芯屑械薪褌懈, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 袠薪写懈褟, 泻邪泻胁邪褌芯 褟 锌芯蟹薪邪胁邪, 蟹邪锌芯褔胁邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉芯屑械薪褟 锌芯写 薪邪褌懈褋泻邪 薪邪 褋械锌邪褉邪褌懈褋褌泻芯褌芯 薪邪锌褉械卸械薪懈械 屑械卸写褍 褏懈薪写褍懈褋褌懈 懈 屑褞褋褞谢屑邪薪懈, 锌褉懈泻谢械褖懈谢懈 芯褌 写胁械 褋褌褉邪薪懈 褋懈泻褏懈褌械 胁 斜械蟹懈蟹褏芯写薪芯褌芯 芯褔邪泻胁邪薪械 芯褌褌械谐谢褟褖懈褌械 褋械 邪薪谐谢懈褔邪薪懈 写邪 褉邪蟹写械谢褟褌 蟹械屑褟褌邪 懈屑 薪邪 袠薪写懈褟 懈 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪.
"袪邪蟹泻邪蟹褗褌 蟹邪 芯褌褔褍卸写械薪懈 芯褌 写褗褖械褉懈褌械 褋懈 斜邪褖懈, 蟹邪 屑邪泄泻懈, 芯斜褗褉薪邪谢懈 谐褉褗斜 薪邪 褋懈薪芯胁械褌械 褋懈, 懈 蟹邪 褋褗锌褉褍蟹懈, 锌褉械薪械斜褉械卸胁邪褖懈 卸械薪懈褌械 褋懈, 褋械 锌褉械胁褉褗褖邪 胁 屑械褌邪褎芯褉邪 蟹邪 斜褍泄薪懈褟 锌芯褌芯泻, 薪邪褉械褔械薪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟... 袙锌械褔邪褌谢褟胁邪褖 写械斜褞褌."
袗屑懈褌 效邪褍褌褏褍褉懈, 胁. "袧邪褕褗薪褗谢 袩芯褍褋褌"
"袣邪泻胁芯 锌芯屑薪懈 褌褟谢芯褌芯" 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹胁邪 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 小邪褌褟. 袩芯泻褉褍褋械薪邪 懈 芯谐芯褉褔械薪邪, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 褋邪褉写邪褉 写卸懈 胁芯写懈 胁 泻褗褖邪褌邪 懈屑 袪褍锌, 小邪褌褟 锌褉械写锌褉懈械屑邪 芯褌褔邪褟薪懈 褋褌褗锌泻懈, 蟹邪 写邪 蟹邪锌邪蟹懈 锌芯谢芯卸械薪懈械褌芯 褋懈 胁 芯斜褖械褋褌胁芯褌芯 懈 写邪 褋懈 胁褗褉薪械 褋褗褉褑械褌芯 薪邪 褋邪褉写邪褉 写卸懈. 小邪屑懈褟褌 褌芯泄 锌褉械卸懈胁褟胁邪 褌械卸泻懈 屑芯屑械薪褌懈, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 袠薪写懈褟, 泻邪泻胁邪褌芯 褟 锌芯蟹薪邪胁邪, 蟹邪锌芯褔胁邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉芯屑械薪褟 锌芯写 薪邪褌懈褋泻邪 薪邪 褋械锌邪褉邪褌懈褋褌泻芯褌芯 薪邪锌褉械卸械薪懈械 屑械卸写褍 褏懈薪写褍懈褋褌懈 懈 屑褞褋褞谢屑邪薪懈, 锌褉懈泻谢械褖懈谢懈 芯褌 写胁械 褋褌褉邪薪懈 褋懈泻褏懈褌械 胁 斜械蟹懈蟹褏芯写薪芯褌芯 芯褔邪泻胁邪薪械 芯褌褌械谐谢褟褖懈褌械 褋械 邪薪谐谢懈褔邪薪懈 写邪 褉邪蟹写械谢褟褌 蟹械屑褟褌邪 懈屑 薪邪 袠薪写懈褟 懈 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪.
"袪邪蟹泻邪蟹褗褌 蟹邪 芯褌褔褍卸写械薪懈 芯褌 写褗褖械褉懈褌械 褋懈 斜邪褖懈, 蟹邪 屑邪泄泻懈, 芯斜褗褉薪邪谢懈 谐褉褗斜 薪邪 褋懈薪芯胁械褌械 褋懈, 懈 蟹邪 褋褗锌褉褍蟹懈, 锌褉械薪械斜褉械卸胁邪褖懈 卸械薪懈褌械 褋懈, 褋械 锌褉械胁褉褗褖邪 胁 屑械褌邪褎芯褉邪 蟹邪 斜褍泄薪懈褟 锌芯褌芯泻, 薪邪褉械褔械薪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟... 袙锌械褔邪褌谢褟胁邪褖 写械斜褞褌."
袗屑懈褌 效邪褍褌褏褍褉懈, 胁. "袧邪褕褗薪褗谢 袩芯褍褋褌"
616 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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5,871 people want to read
About the author
Shauna Singh Baldwin
23听books63听followersShauna Singh Baldwin is a Canadian-American novelist of Indian descent. Her 2000 novel What the Body Remembers won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Canadian/Caribbean Region), and her 2004 novel The Tiger Claw was nominated for the Giller Prize. She currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baldwin and her husband own the Safe House, an espionage themed restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
September 28, 2013
Wow! This may be the best Indian historical novel I've read to date. For about a week and a half, I was utterly swept up in the world of Roop and Satya, the two wives of Sardarji Singh, a wealthy Sikh landowner who also works as an engineer for the British Indian government in 1940s Punjab. Through the lives of these women, the story of the desperate struggle of Sikhs to remain in their homeland of Punjab, is beautifully illustrated. They face sexism from their fathers and husbands, always encouraged to say Yes, even when the result is hurtful.
The fact Shauna Singh Baldwin has created very real, and flawed, characters. Satya, Sarjdarji's first wife, is bitter after the embarrassment of many years of marriage to him without a child. She takes this out on Roop; but as cruel as she can be, her misery to us is clear, as well as her shining intellect. Roop at age 16 doesn't care about being married to an older man who already has a wife in the household; she's only interested in being rich and having pretty clothes and servants, and has grown up believing it's always important to obey. What a harsh awakening lies in store for her, when she becomes the victim of Satya's power strategies, which even include taking custody of Roop's young children. The battles between Roop and Satya, as well as Punjab's inevitable journey to being split in 1947 into Pakistan and India, are both compelling.
I learned so much about Sikkhism and Punjabi culture in this story, and I did not feel the amount of history shared was excessive, as some other readers have. The last chapters deal with characters we care about attempting to flee or survive the Muslim-Sikh-Hindu violence of 1947, and may be pretty hard going for some. But suspense, rather than violence, flavors the entire length of the book. It left me a big fan of the author and hungering to read everything she's written.
The fact Shauna Singh Baldwin has created very real, and flawed, characters. Satya, Sarjdarji's first wife, is bitter after the embarrassment of many years of marriage to him without a child. She takes this out on Roop; but as cruel as she can be, her misery to us is clear, as well as her shining intellect. Roop at age 16 doesn't care about being married to an older man who already has a wife in the household; she's only interested in being rich and having pretty clothes and servants, and has grown up believing it's always important to obey. What a harsh awakening lies in store for her, when she becomes the victim of Satya's power strategies, which even include taking custody of Roop's young children. The battles between Roop and Satya, as well as Punjab's inevitable journey to being split in 1947 into Pakistan and India, are both compelling.
I learned so much about Sikkhism and Punjabi culture in this story, and I did not feel the amount of history shared was excessive, as some other readers have. The last chapters deal with characters we care about attempting to flee or survive the Muslim-Sikh-Hindu violence of 1947, and may be pretty hard going for some. But suspense, rather than violence, flavors the entire length of the book. It left me a big fan of the author and hungering to read everything she's written.
September 13, 2024
鈥炐毿靶盒残� 锌芯屑薪懈 褌褟谢芯褌芯鈥� 薪邪 楔芯薪邪 小懈薪谐 袘芯谢写褍懈薪 械 泻薪懈谐邪, 泻芯褟褌芯 褋 褔懈褋褌芯 褋褗褉褑械 屑芯谐邪 写邪 锌芯褋褌邪胁褟 薪邪褉邪胁薪芯 褋 泻薪懈谐懈 泻邪褌芯 "袨褉懈蟹芯胁邪褌邪 屑邪泄泻邪" 懈 "啸懈谢褟写邪 褋懈褟泄薪懈 褋谢褗薪褑邪".
袛械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉芯屑邪薪邪 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 锌芯 胁褉械屑械 薪邪 泻褗褉胁邪胁懈褌械 懈 斜褉褍褌邪谢薪芯 写褉褍屑邪褌懈褔薪懈 褋褗斜懈褌懈褟 锌褉懈 袪邪蟹写械谢褟薪械褌芯 锌褉械蟹 1947 谐芯写懈薪邪 薪邪 袘褉懈褌邪薪褋泻邪 袠薪写懈褟, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪 斜懈胁邪 芯褌泻褗褋薪邪褌 芯褌 袠薪写懈褟 懈 芯斜芯褋芯斜械薪 泻邪褌芯 芯褌写械谢薪邪 薪械蟹邪胁懈褋懈屑邪 写褗褉卸邪胁邪. 孝芯胁邪 褋褗斜懈褌懈械 胁芯写懈 写芯 谐芯谢械屑懈 泻褉褗胁芯锌褉芯谢懈褌薪懈 褋褌褗谢泻薪芯胁械薪懈褟, 胁 泻芯懈褌芯, 锌芯 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈 写邪薪薪懈, 蟹邪谐懈胁邪褌 锌芯 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈 写邪薪薪懈 斜谢懈蟹芯 1 屑懈谢懈芯薪 写褍褕懈, 懈 写芯 屑邪褋芯胁邪 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈褟 薪邪 褏芯褉邪. 袨谐褉芯屑薪懈 褔芯胁械褕泻懈 锌芯褌芯褑懈 褋懈泻褏懈 懈 懈薪写褍褋懈 懈蟹芯褋褌邪胁褟褌 芯锌芯卸邪褉械薪懈褌械 褋懈 泻褗褖邪 懈 褋械谢邪, 锌芯褉褍谐邪薪懈褌械 褌褉褍锌芯胁械 薪邪 斜谢懈蟹泻懈褌械 褋懈 懈 锌芯械屑邪褌 锌芯 写褗谢谐懈褟 懈 芯锌邪褋械薪 锌褗褌 芯褌 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪 泻褗屑 袠薪写懈褟, 写芯泻邪褌芯 屑懈谢懈芯薪懈 屑褞褋褞谢屑邪薪懈 锌褗泻 褌褉褗谐胁邪褌 胁 芯斜褉邪褌薪邪褌邪 锌芯褋芯泻邪 - 芯褌 袠薪写懈褟 泻褗屑 薪芯胁芯褋褎芯褉屑懈褉邪薪邪褌邪 写褗褉卸邪胁邪 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪.
袠褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈 锌芯谐谢械写薪邪褌芯, 褌芯胁邪 械 械写薪邪 芯褌 薪邪泄-谐芯谢械屑懈褌械 屑邪褋芯胁懈 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈懈 薪邪 褏芯褉邪 , 蟹邪褋械谐薪邪谢邪 锌褉褟泻芯 芯泻芯谢芯 18 屑懈谢懈芯薪邪 褔芯胁械泻邪, 芯褌 泻芯懈褌芯 4 屑懈谢懈芯薪邪 薪械 褋邪 薪邪屑械褉械薪懈 锌褉懈 褋谢械写胁邪褖懈褌械 锌褉械斜褉芯褟胁邪薪懈褟.
孝械 锌褉芯褋褌芯 褋邪 懈蟹褔械蟹薪邪谢懈 斜械蟹褋谢械写薪芯 锌芯 锌褗褌褟 ....
袛械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉芯屑邪薪邪 蟹邪锌芯褔胁邪 胁 谐芯写懈薪懈褌械 锌褉械写懈 袪邪蟹写械谢褟薪懈械褌芯 薪邪 袠薪写懈褟. 孝芯胁邪 械 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈褟褌 褎芯薪 , 薪邪 泻芯泄褌芯 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 写褉邪屑邪褌懈褔薪邪褌邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟 薪邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 薪邪 谐谢邪胁薪邪褌邪 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 - 褋懈泻褏褋泻芯褌芯 屑芯屑懈褔械 袪褍锌. 袪褍锌 械 屑谢邪写芯 屑芯屑懈褔械, 褔懈褟褌芯 屑邪泄泻邪 械 锌芯褔懈薪邪谢邪, 邪 斜邪褖邪 褲 械 蟹邪褌褗薪邪谢 胁 写褗谢谐芯胁械. 袟邪褌芯胁邪 褌褟 械 胁褗芯写褍褕械胁械薪邪, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 薪邪褍褔邪胁邪, 褔械 褖械 褋褌邪薪械 胁褌芯褉邪 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪 薪邪 蟹邪屑芯卸械薪 褋懈泻褏褋泻懈 蟹械屑械胁谢邪写械谢械褑. 孝芯蟹懈 褋褗褞蟹 械 懈蟹谐芯写械薪 懈 蟹邪 写胁械褌械 褋械屑械泄褋褌胁邪, 蟹邪褖芯褌芯 锌褗褉胁邪褌邪 屑褍 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪 - 小邪褌褟, 薪械 械 褍褋锌褟谢邪 写邪 屑褍 褉芯写懈 写械褑邪. 袪褍锌 胁褟褉胁邪, 褔械 褌褟 懈 小邪褌褟 褖械 褋械 褋斜谢懈卸邪褌 懈 褖械 褋褌邪薪邪褌 锌褉懈褟褌械谢泻懈. 袧芯 芯褌薪芯褕械薪懈褟褌邪 屑械卸写褍 锌芯-胁褗蟹褉邪褋褌薪邪褌邪 卸械薪邪 懈 锌芯-屑谢邪写邪褌邪 褋邪 写邪谢械褔 锌芯-褋谢芯卸薪懈. 袣芯谐邪褌芯 芯斜邪褔械 写褉邪屑邪褌懈褔薪懈褌械 褋褗斜懈褌懈褟 薪邪褋褌褗胁邪褌 懈 械褋泻邪谢懈褉邪褌 , 褌械 蟹薪邪褟褌, 褔械 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 褋邪 械写懈薪薪懈, 蟹邪 写邪 芯褑械谢械褟褌 锌芯 芯锌邪褋薪懈褟 锌褗褌 泻褗屑 袠薪写懈褟...
孝芯胁邪 械 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 械写薪邪 锌芯 锌芯谐褉械褕泻邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁械薪邪 褌邪褌褍懈褉芯胁泻邪, 锌芯写褏芯写褟褖邪 褋邪屑芯 蟹邪 褏芯褉邪, 懈蟹锌芯胁褟写胁邪褖懈褌械 懈褋谢褟屑邪. 孝邪褌褍懈褉芯胁泻邪, 褋 泻芯褟褌芯 袪褍锌 褋懈 薪邪胁谢懈褔邪 锌褗褉胁芯薪邪褔邪谢薪芯 谐薪械胁邪 薪邪 褋械屑械泄褋褌胁芯褌芯 褋懈 懈 芯褋褌邪薪邪谢懈褌械 褋懈泻褏懈, 薪芯 胁 锌芯褋谢械写褋褌胁懈械 褲 褋锌邪褋褟胁邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 锌芯 胁褉械屑械 薪邪 泻谢邪薪械褌邪褌邪 懈 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈褟褌邪.
袠蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢薪芯 懈薪褌械褉械褋薪邪 泻薪懈谐邪, 泻芯褟褌芯 锌褉芯锌芯褉褗褔胁邪屑 褋 褑褟谢芯褌芯 褋懈 褋褗褉褑械!
袛械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉芯屑邪薪邪 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 锌芯 胁褉械屑械 薪邪 泻褗褉胁邪胁懈褌械 懈 斜褉褍褌邪谢薪芯 写褉褍屑邪褌懈褔薪懈 褋褗斜懈褌懈褟 锌褉懈 袪邪蟹写械谢褟薪械褌芯 锌褉械蟹 1947 谐芯写懈薪邪 薪邪 袘褉懈褌邪薪褋泻邪 袠薪写懈褟, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪 斜懈胁邪 芯褌泻褗褋薪邪褌 芯褌 袠薪写懈褟 懈 芯斜芯褋芯斜械薪 泻邪褌芯 芯褌写械谢薪邪 薪械蟹邪胁懈褋懈屑邪 写褗褉卸邪胁邪. 孝芯胁邪 褋褗斜懈褌懈械 胁芯写懈 写芯 谐芯谢械屑懈 泻褉褗胁芯锌褉芯谢懈褌薪懈 褋褌褗谢泻薪芯胁械薪懈褟, 胁 泻芯懈褌芯, 锌芯 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈 写邪薪薪懈, 蟹邪谐懈胁邪褌 锌芯 芯褎懈褑懈邪谢薪懈 写邪薪薪懈 斜谢懈蟹芯 1 屑懈谢懈芯薪 写褍褕懈, 懈 写芯 屑邪褋芯胁邪 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈褟 薪邪 褏芯褉邪. 袨谐褉芯屑薪懈 褔芯胁械褕泻懈 锌芯褌芯褑懈 褋懈泻褏懈 懈 懈薪写褍褋懈 懈蟹芯褋褌邪胁褟褌 芯锌芯卸邪褉械薪懈褌械 褋懈 泻褗褖邪 懈 褋械谢邪, 锌芯褉褍谐邪薪懈褌械 褌褉褍锌芯胁械 薪邪 斜谢懈蟹泻懈褌械 褋懈 懈 锌芯械屑邪褌 锌芯 写褗谢谐懈褟 懈 芯锌邪褋械薪 锌褗褌 芯褌 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪 泻褗屑 袠薪写懈褟, 写芯泻邪褌芯 屑懈谢懈芯薪懈 屑褞褋褞谢屑邪薪懈 锌褗泻 褌褉褗谐胁邪褌 胁 芯斜褉邪褌薪邪褌邪 锌芯褋芯泻邪 - 芯褌 袠薪写懈褟 泻褗屑 薪芯胁芯褋褎芯褉屑懈褉邪薪邪褌邪 写褗褉卸邪胁邪 袩邪泻懈褋褌邪薪.
袠褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈 锌芯谐谢械写薪邪褌芯, 褌芯胁邪 械 械写薪邪 芯褌 薪邪泄-谐芯谢械屑懈褌械 屑邪褋芯胁懈 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈懈 薪邪 褏芯褉邪 , 蟹邪褋械谐薪邪谢邪 锌褉褟泻芯 芯泻芯谢芯 18 屑懈谢懈芯薪邪 褔芯胁械泻邪, 芯褌 泻芯懈褌芯 4 屑懈谢懈芯薪邪 薪械 褋邪 薪邪屑械褉械薪懈 锌褉懈 褋谢械写胁邪褖懈褌械 锌褉械斜褉芯褟胁邪薪懈褟.
孝械 锌褉芯褋褌芯 褋邪 懈蟹褔械蟹薪邪谢懈 斜械蟹褋谢械写薪芯 锌芯 锌褗褌褟 ....
袛械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉芯屑邪薪邪 蟹邪锌芯褔胁邪 胁 谐芯写懈薪懈褌械 锌褉械写懈 袪邪蟹写械谢褟薪懈械褌芯 薪邪 袠薪写懈褟. 孝芯胁邪 械 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈褟褌 褎芯薪 , 薪邪 泻芯泄褌芯 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 写褉邪屑邪褌懈褔薪邪褌邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟 薪邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 薪邪 谐谢邪胁薪邪褌邪 谐械褉芯懈薪褟 - 褋懈泻褏褋泻芯褌芯 屑芯屑懈褔械 袪褍锌. 袪褍锌 械 屑谢邪写芯 屑芯屑懈褔械, 褔懈褟褌芯 屑邪泄泻邪 械 锌芯褔懈薪邪谢邪, 邪 斜邪褖邪 褲 械 蟹邪褌褗薪邪谢 胁 写褗谢谐芯胁械. 袟邪褌芯胁邪 褌褟 械 胁褗芯写褍褕械胁械薪邪, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 薪邪褍褔邪胁邪, 褔械 褖械 褋褌邪薪械 胁褌芯褉邪 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪 薪邪 蟹邪屑芯卸械薪 褋懈泻褏褋泻懈 蟹械屑械胁谢邪写械谢械褑. 孝芯蟹懈 褋褗褞蟹 械 懈蟹谐芯写械薪 懈 蟹邪 写胁械褌械 褋械屑械泄褋褌胁邪, 蟹邪褖芯褌芯 锌褗褉胁邪褌邪 屑褍 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪 - 小邪褌褟, 薪械 械 褍褋锌褟谢邪 写邪 屑褍 褉芯写懈 写械褑邪. 袪褍锌 胁褟褉胁邪, 褔械 褌褟 懈 小邪褌褟 褖械 褋械 褋斜谢懈卸邪褌 懈 褖械 褋褌邪薪邪褌 锌褉懈褟褌械谢泻懈. 袧芯 芯褌薪芯褕械薪懈褟褌邪 屑械卸写褍 锌芯-胁褗蟹褉邪褋褌薪邪褌邪 卸械薪邪 懈 锌芯-屑谢邪写邪褌邪 褋邪 写邪谢械褔 锌芯-褋谢芯卸薪懈. 袣芯谐邪褌芯 芯斜邪褔械 写褉邪屑邪褌懈褔薪懈褌械 褋褗斜懈褌懈褟 薪邪褋褌褗胁邪褌 懈 械褋泻邪谢懈褉邪褌 , 褌械 蟹薪邪褟褌, 褔械 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 褋邪 械写懈薪薪懈, 蟹邪 写邪 芯褑械谢械褟褌 锌芯 芯锌邪褋薪懈褟 锌褗褌 泻褗屑 袠薪写懈褟...
孝芯胁邪 械 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 薪邪 械写薪邪 锌芯 锌芯谐褉械褕泻邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁械薪邪 褌邪褌褍懈褉芯胁泻邪, 锌芯写褏芯写褟褖邪 褋邪屑芯 蟹邪 褏芯褉邪, 懈蟹锌芯胁褟写胁邪褖懈褌械 懈褋谢褟屑邪. 孝邪褌褍懈褉芯胁泻邪, 褋 泻芯褟褌芯 袪褍锌 褋懈 薪邪胁谢懈褔邪 锌褗褉胁芯薪邪褔邪谢薪芯 谐薪械胁邪 薪邪 褋械屑械泄褋褌胁芯褌芯 褋懈 懈 芯褋褌邪薪邪谢懈褌械 褋懈泻褏懈, 薪芯 胁 锌芯褋谢械写褋褌胁懈械 褲 褋锌邪褋褟胁邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 锌芯 胁褉械屑械 薪邪 泻谢邪薪械褌邪褌邪 懈 屑懈谐褉邪褑懈褟褌邪.
袠蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢薪芯 懈薪褌械褉械褋薪邪 泻薪懈谐邪, 泻芯褟褌芯 锌褉芯锌芯褉褗褔胁邪屑 褋 褑褟谢芯褌芯 褋懈 褋褗褉褑械!
March 21, 2011
The reader/writer connection wasn't successful for me in the early third of this book -- there were too many times I found myself thinking about the writing style rather than the story. Part of the reason for that was a number of what one of my favourite creative writing teachers called the "editorial lump" -- where the writer steps out of the story and catches us up on world events, philosophy -- anything but the story.
Towards the end, I was totally over that, as I realized how difficult it was to talk about history from the point of view of women who weren't allowed to participate in it at all. That was really the point, and it is a remarkable achievement.
This book is well worth reading just for the sake of knowing a bit more about women's lives in India through the time of Partition, and knowing more about what happened then. For example, I had no idea -- despite reading many books about India's independence -- that there were many Indians who were terrified to see the British leave when they did (and how they did), and rightfully so.
I learned a lot, and came to care for the characters.
Towards the end, I was totally over that, as I realized how difficult it was to talk about history from the point of view of women who weren't allowed to participate in it at all. That was really the point, and it is a remarkable achievement.
This book is well worth reading just for the sake of knowing a bit more about women's lives in India through the time of Partition, and knowing more about what happened then. For example, I had no idea -- despite reading many books about India's independence -- that there were many Indians who were terrified to see the British leave when they did (and how they did), and rightfully so.
I learned a lot, and came to care for the characters.
October 28, 2012
I read this book with my bookclub ; it was chosen because three of the members are Canadian-born Sikh and wanted to learn more about their history.
I've read many books set in India over the years but this is the first book I've read by a Sikh author. Like many other books that discuss Indian culture, this goes into a lot of detail about British colonialism in the country, as well as the many religious beliefs and languages.
The story itself was quite sad. As a woman, I couldn't help but empathize with the two female protagonists, especially in the patriarchal society that values women only as long as they produce offspring (boys of course, girls are just "visitors" in their parent's home).
This book also does a good job in describing the beauty and culture of India and the superstitious beliefs that hold captive many of the people (at least in those days). Additionally, it is also reminiscent of Rushdie's Midnight's Children in that it's set around the time of India's Partition.
I've read many books set in India over the years but this is the first book I've read by a Sikh author. Like many other books that discuss Indian culture, this goes into a lot of detail about British colonialism in the country, as well as the many religious beliefs and languages.
The story itself was quite sad. As a woman, I couldn't help but empathize with the two female protagonists, especially in the patriarchal society that values women only as long as they produce offspring (boys of course, girls are just "visitors" in their parent's home).
This book also does a good job in describing the beauty and culture of India and the superstitious beliefs that hold captive many of the people (at least in those days). Additionally, it is also reminiscent of Rushdie's Midnight's Children in that it's set around the time of India's Partition.
October 15, 2014
I've just put the book down and will need some time to process everything. But as you can see, I've given it 5 stars and strong recommendations to my friends to read this beautiful elegy to undivided Punjab.
This is a book that takes time to sink in. The horrors of the mass migration are in these pages, the riots, rape, and village burning. It's very hard to read but Shauna Singh Baldwin treats the difficult material with incredible tenderness and empathy. In fact, you'd think that seeing all the destruction from a Sikh point of view (my first experience of this POV) would encourage feelings of blame or disgust. But that's not the effect at all.
The story begins and ends with the character of Satya, the "senior" wife of an English educated Punjabi civil engineer. Through her eyes, we see Sardarji in all his human weakness and fallibility because they've been married many years. Satya is smart, strong and wilful, the perfect helper for Sardarji in his official capacity. But she's unable to give him children.
Roop is introduced into the narrative when she's about to become Sardarji's "junior" wife at the age of 16. She is understandably terrified of Satya and her new role which is to bear her husband sons. How she describes it: She will do "what women are for." She is smart too but it takes the entire length of the story for her to find her strength. She is naturally wilful but tries her best to be compliant.
The reader also sees through the eyes of Sardarji himself, with all his responsibilities and worries. He wants nothing more than to provide good irrigation, waterways, and infrastructure for his beloved home region of Punjab, and sons to pass on his name. He tries to please his wives and to work within the framework of the English colonial rule.
All three main characters are Sikh in religion but there are friends, family members and villagers of other faiths, mainly Islam and Hindu. Tensions between the Hindus and Muslims increase and intensify as the creation of a Muslim state, Pakistan, looms. The main problem, for a civil engineer and for every family living in the disputed region of Punjab, is where the border between India and Pakistan should fall. And also: the separation of a Hindu state from a Muslim state leaves no protection for minorities, like Christians, Parsis, and of course Sikhs. The ensuing bloodshed is seemingly inevitable.
What the Body Remembers is heartbreaking but transcendent. Roop, in particular, grows in strength and maturity as a wife, as a mother, as a Sikh, and as a compassionate human being. It is terrible what she must live through in order to be refined in this way but she chooses to respond to tragedy by transforming herself. The reader is left somber but hopeful by this beautifully told story.
This is a book that takes time to sink in. The horrors of the mass migration are in these pages, the riots, rape, and village burning. It's very hard to read but Shauna Singh Baldwin treats the difficult material with incredible tenderness and empathy. In fact, you'd think that seeing all the destruction from a Sikh point of view (my first experience of this POV) would encourage feelings of blame or disgust. But that's not the effect at all.
The story begins and ends with the character of Satya, the "senior" wife of an English educated Punjabi civil engineer. Through her eyes, we see Sardarji in all his human weakness and fallibility because they've been married many years. Satya is smart, strong and wilful, the perfect helper for Sardarji in his official capacity. But she's unable to give him children.
Roop is introduced into the narrative when she's about to become Sardarji's "junior" wife at the age of 16. She is understandably terrified of Satya and her new role which is to bear her husband sons. How she describes it: She will do "what women are for." She is smart too but it takes the entire length of the story for her to find her strength. She is naturally wilful but tries her best to be compliant.
The reader also sees through the eyes of Sardarji himself, with all his responsibilities and worries. He wants nothing more than to provide good irrigation, waterways, and infrastructure for his beloved home region of Punjab, and sons to pass on his name. He tries to please his wives and to work within the framework of the English colonial rule.
All three main characters are Sikh in religion but there are friends, family members and villagers of other faiths, mainly Islam and Hindu. Tensions between the Hindus and Muslims increase and intensify as the creation of a Muslim state, Pakistan, looms. The main problem, for a civil engineer and for every family living in the disputed region of Punjab, is where the border between India and Pakistan should fall. And also: the separation of a Hindu state from a Muslim state leaves no protection for minorities, like Christians, Parsis, and of course Sikhs. The ensuing bloodshed is seemingly inevitable.
What the Body Remembers is heartbreaking but transcendent. Roop, in particular, grows in strength and maturity as a wife, as a mother, as a Sikh, and as a compassionate human being. It is terrible what she must live through in order to be refined in this way but she chooses to respond to tragedy by transforming herself. The reader is left somber but hopeful by this beautifully told story.
January 6, 2022
Shauna Singh Baldwin's What the Body Remembers has been argued to be stylistically based on gothic elements that are present in Victorian novels. This novel is a must-read for those who are interested in the 1947 Partition history. Written by a Punjabi-Sikh writer of the diaspora, Baldwin's novel invites us to witness a family's experience of the events that lead to the Partition. We meet Sardarji, an administrator in Lahore in pre-Partition India. He has a wife, Satya, who has not borne him any kids. In order to remedy this situation, he marries a second wife, Roop. As the tumultuous events of the Partition unfold, we bear witness to the violence that took place on the bodies of women.
This novel is so much more than historical fiction. Baldwin took 3 years to do the research for this novel. However, the book does not often get enough traction due to the ten year timeline it covers. I would recommend it for two reasons. The first, Baldwin鈥檚 portrayal of gender based violence, and secondly, while the love triangle is important and makes the crux of the novel. Sathya鈥檚 characterization places her as a woman ahead of her times. Although she is unable to bear children, she is her husband鈥檚 confidant. And finally, how stories are told by men versus women after a tragedy. The body, the novel addresses, belongs to Roop, Sathya, and Roop鈥檚 sister-in-law, Kusum and it is her death and testimonies from her brother, Jeevan, and her father, Bachchan Singh that create important dialogue about rape, honor, and genocidal violence in this conversation.
I would definitely recommend this read for those who are unfamiliar with Modern India鈥檚 tumultuous history with the 1947 Partition, which continues to haunt the Indian sub-continent as a specter to this day.
This novel is so much more than historical fiction. Baldwin took 3 years to do the research for this novel. However, the book does not often get enough traction due to the ten year timeline it covers. I would recommend it for two reasons. The first, Baldwin鈥檚 portrayal of gender based violence, and secondly, while the love triangle is important and makes the crux of the novel. Sathya鈥檚 characterization places her as a woman ahead of her times. Although she is unable to bear children, she is her husband鈥檚 confidant. And finally, how stories are told by men versus women after a tragedy. The body, the novel addresses, belongs to Roop, Sathya, and Roop鈥檚 sister-in-law, Kusum and it is her death and testimonies from her brother, Jeevan, and her father, Bachchan Singh that create important dialogue about rape, honor, and genocidal violence in this conversation.
I would definitely recommend this read for those who are unfamiliar with Modern India鈥檚 tumultuous history with the 1947 Partition, which continues to haunt the Indian sub-continent as a specter to this day.
October 2, 2012
Roop, one of Bachan Singh鈥檚 two daughters, grows up without her mother. Her father, a respected however not-too-well-off a person in the village, does his best in bringing up his daughters and son.
Roop grows up believing that she is destined to a better life. When Bachan Singh gets a proposal from one of the wealthiest men in the village for his daughter, he is delighted, only to be disappointed when he realizes that it is not for one of the wealthy man鈥檚 sons. but for an already married relative of his. However, already in debt after his elder daughter鈥檚 wedding, Bachan Singh does not have much of an option but to agree. Bachan Singh might have been heavy hearted but Roop was delighted. She was convinced that she has a wonderful fate in store for her. Even becoming a second wife does not faze her. She believes that she will be a little sister to her older co-wife.
Satya, Sardarji鈥檚 wife is sophisticated, the perfect mate to the Oxford educated Sardarji. Perfect, but for the fact that she is barren. She tries hard to fight her fate, hoping that Sardarji will refuse to take a second wife, only to realize that despite his educational credentials, Sardarji is still bound by his roots. Having an heir, a son, is very important to him.
She is hit hard by the fact that the new bride has got handed all her jewellery. Everything that was hers is now Roop鈥檚. Satya tries everything she can to ensure that Sardarji鈥檚 second marriage is ruined.
It is a touching story woven through the landscape of political landscape of unrest and eventually India鈥檚 Partition into India and Pakistan.
Roop鈥檚 initial innocence, trying hard to please everybody, believing that she and Satya would be like sisters, her compliance and her slow metamorphosis into her own person, somebody who understood that she had to fight for her rights in every way she could. She learns the ways of the world to survive, to hold on to her position, as the mother of Sardarji鈥檚 children.
Sardarji, again a complex character, educated in England, a civil engineer, outwardly a modern person, but when it came to his inner self, someone who held on to the views of his society. He tries to saddle both his worlds, wining and dining with his English colleagues, while looking down on them(just as they did him), and his life in Indian society.
Satya鈥檚 bitterness, her inability to accept her fate, trying everything she could to ensure that Roop is just a baby maker, and not Sardarji鈥檚 wife. Satya comes across as a strong person, someone who knows her rights, and tries to fight society in the way she could. A woman who argues with her husband, who refuses to be 鈥榮weet-sweet鈥� in front of her husband, a woman who believes that she is her husband鈥檚 equal.
The book is also sprinkled with instances of how underprivileged women(and girls) were in those days. At her father鈥檚 place, Roop had never tasted meat or fish 鈥� that was reserved for her brother, because the whole family鈥檚 fortune rested on him. The girls would just be married off. Roop鈥檚 unmarried aunt, who keeps planning to leave, but everybody is aware, that she will never leave. After all, as an unmarried woman, she does not have a house of her own, to go to.
The book also deals with the way political unrest changed life as they knew it. Once Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs lived together in harmony, but with the partition looming closer, things changed, loyalties changed鈥ife as they knew it changed. It also reflects how Sikhs viewed the partition. While carving out countries keeping in mind the two main communities, Sikhs were the ones who were uprooted from their land and made to migrate into a new, foreign land. One stroke of the pen that made them foreigners in their own land.. A partition when one minority was almost entirely ignored鈥�
A beautifully written story, leaves you moved, saddened, and a lot wiser.
Roop grows up believing that she is destined to a better life. When Bachan Singh gets a proposal from one of the wealthiest men in the village for his daughter, he is delighted, only to be disappointed when he realizes that it is not for one of the wealthy man鈥檚 sons. but for an already married relative of his. However, already in debt after his elder daughter鈥檚 wedding, Bachan Singh does not have much of an option but to agree. Bachan Singh might have been heavy hearted but Roop was delighted. She was convinced that she has a wonderful fate in store for her. Even becoming a second wife does not faze her. She believes that she will be a little sister to her older co-wife.
Satya, Sardarji鈥檚 wife is sophisticated, the perfect mate to the Oxford educated Sardarji. Perfect, but for the fact that she is barren. She tries hard to fight her fate, hoping that Sardarji will refuse to take a second wife, only to realize that despite his educational credentials, Sardarji is still bound by his roots. Having an heir, a son, is very important to him.
She is hit hard by the fact that the new bride has got handed all her jewellery. Everything that was hers is now Roop鈥檚. Satya tries everything she can to ensure that Sardarji鈥檚 second marriage is ruined.
It is a touching story woven through the landscape of political landscape of unrest and eventually India鈥檚 Partition into India and Pakistan.
Roop鈥檚 initial innocence, trying hard to please everybody, believing that she and Satya would be like sisters, her compliance and her slow metamorphosis into her own person, somebody who understood that she had to fight for her rights in every way she could. She learns the ways of the world to survive, to hold on to her position, as the mother of Sardarji鈥檚 children.
Sardarji, again a complex character, educated in England, a civil engineer, outwardly a modern person, but when it came to his inner self, someone who held on to the views of his society. He tries to saddle both his worlds, wining and dining with his English colleagues, while looking down on them(just as they did him), and his life in Indian society.
Satya鈥檚 bitterness, her inability to accept her fate, trying everything she could to ensure that Roop is just a baby maker, and not Sardarji鈥檚 wife. Satya comes across as a strong person, someone who knows her rights, and tries to fight society in the way she could. A woman who argues with her husband, who refuses to be 鈥榮weet-sweet鈥� in front of her husband, a woman who believes that she is her husband鈥檚 equal.
The book is also sprinkled with instances of how underprivileged women(and girls) were in those days. At her father鈥檚 place, Roop had never tasted meat or fish 鈥� that was reserved for her brother, because the whole family鈥檚 fortune rested on him. The girls would just be married off. Roop鈥檚 unmarried aunt, who keeps planning to leave, but everybody is aware, that she will never leave. After all, as an unmarried woman, she does not have a house of her own, to go to.
The book also deals with the way political unrest changed life as they knew it. Once Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs lived together in harmony, but with the partition looming closer, things changed, loyalties changed鈥ife as they knew it changed. It also reflects how Sikhs viewed the partition. While carving out countries keeping in mind the two main communities, Sikhs were the ones who were uprooted from their land and made to migrate into a new, foreign land. One stroke of the pen that made them foreigners in their own land.. A partition when one minority was almost entirely ignored鈥�
A beautifully written story, leaves you moved, saddened, and a lot wiser.
October 18, 2023
Finally, I finished reading this. For my book club's India journey, we read this for "Northern India". This novel is set in Punjab and focuses on a Sikh family. I've never encountered such a setting before so that was interesting. But boy was this book just as wordy as our "Southern India" book choice, .
'What the Body Remembers' is set right before the Partition of British India. We meet Roop, a teenage girl from a Punjab Sikh family, who is quite naive and materialistic and whose mother recently passed away. One of Roop's ear is deaf, so her father is really worried if he can give her away for marriage. It all depends on her kismat, you see.
Roop ends up marrying the landlord, so that her father can waive his debt and not be burdened with providing another dowry (Roop's sister recently got married too). A big theme in this novel is polygamy and the rivalry between the old wife and the new, young wife. I guess this should also symbolize colonial British India and the newly emerging countries India and Pakistan.
Understandably, things get very uncomfortable. I just didn't like Sardaji. He is a man full of conflict and arrogance: on the one hand, he wants to be a modern and respected civil engineer, but on the other hand he wants to take a second wife who can bear him children. Postcolonial contradictions and being torn between two different cultures. Nevertheless, I didn't like Sardaji and the crazy patriarchy that goes on in India until this day is really frustrating. This really comes to life in this novel and the reader can see that most of the information we get about the events at that time are through the male characters. Because the females were so restricted.
I learned a little bit about Sikhism and I got a way better view of the Partition period from this novel rather than Salman Rushdie's . Unfortunately, it took me almost 200 pages to get used to the writing and the names of the characters. Also, I found the book's title several times in the novel, but I still don't get what it is supposed to mean.
Divide et impera [...] That was the policy, divide and rule. Separate electorate for Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, remember? The Hindu and Muslim faiths were tools, the instruments by which you British divided us, then stood back complaining how we Indians fight, never giving you any peace.
'What the Body Remembers' is set right before the Partition of British India. We meet Roop, a teenage girl from a Punjab Sikh family, who is quite naive and materialistic and whose mother recently passed away. One of Roop's ear is deaf, so her father is really worried if he can give her away for marriage. It all depends on her kismat, you see.
Roop ends up marrying the landlord, so that her father can waive his debt and not be burdened with providing another dowry (Roop's sister recently got married too). A big theme in this novel is polygamy and the rivalry between the old wife and the new, young wife. I guess this should also symbolize colonial British India and the newly emerging countries India and Pakistan.
Understandably, things get very uncomfortable. I just didn't like Sardaji. He is a man full of conflict and arrogance: on the one hand, he wants to be a modern and respected civil engineer, but on the other hand he wants to take a second wife who can bear him children. Postcolonial contradictions and being torn between two different cultures. Nevertheless, I didn't like Sardaji and the crazy patriarchy that goes on in India until this day is really frustrating. This really comes to life in this novel and the reader can see that most of the information we get about the events at that time are through the male characters. Because the females were so restricted.
I learned a little bit about Sikhism and I got a way better view of the Partition period from this novel rather than Salman Rushdie's . Unfortunately, it took me almost 200 pages to get used to the writing and the names of the characters. Also, I found the book's title several times in the novel, but I still don't get what it is supposed to mean.
Divide et impera [...] That was the policy, divide and rule. Separate electorate for Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, remember? The Hindu and Muslim faiths were tools, the instruments by which you British divided us, then stood back complaining how we Indians fight, never giving you any peace.
February 3, 2022
3.5 STARS
This book delves into a family's experience of the events that lead to the 1947 Indian Partition. The author introduces us to Sardarji, an administrator in Lahore (during pre-Partition India), married to Sataya - the two have no children. Thus he marries a second wife - Roop in order to have his bloodline continue.
As the Partition unfolded, communities were fractured and torn apart. Through the book, we witness the pain and violence that took place on the bodies of women.
The depiction of gender-based violence is a potent one, highlighting the abject violence of the Partition and that it cannot be forgotten. The pain, turmoil and violence of the events leading up to the Partition and the Partition itself were etched onto bodies and memories, the impact of which continues to ripple through people's lived realities, communities and societies more broadly.
A read that had moments of potent emotional intensity, where the characters and their pain felt all too real.
This book delves into a family's experience of the events that lead to the 1947 Indian Partition. The author introduces us to Sardarji, an administrator in Lahore (during pre-Partition India), married to Sataya - the two have no children. Thus he marries a second wife - Roop in order to have his bloodline continue.
As the Partition unfolded, communities were fractured and torn apart. Through the book, we witness the pain and violence that took place on the bodies of women.
The depiction of gender-based violence is a potent one, highlighting the abject violence of the Partition and that it cannot be forgotten. The pain, turmoil and violence of the events leading up to the Partition and the Partition itself were etched onto bodies and memories, the impact of which continues to ripple through people's lived realities, communities and societies more broadly.
A read that had moments of potent emotional intensity, where the characters and their pain felt all too real.
June 16, 2022
4,75 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover
Roop is een zestienjarig sikh-meisje. In 1937 trouwt ze met de vijfentwintig jaar oudere Sardarji, een welgesteld landeigenaar die door zijn studie in Oxford tussen twee culturen in staat, de Indiase en de Engelse.
Sardarji heeft al een eerste vrouw, Satya. Zij is de trotse manager van Sardarji's huishouden, maar ze kan haar man geen erfgenaam schenken. Satya, vernederd door Roops komst, verbergt haar gevoelens en besluit dat Roop voor haar een kind zal dragen.
Het is in de tijd dat India onafhankelijk wordt van de Britten. Een turbulente periode breekt aan en ook in het huis van Sardarji dringt de moderne westerse cultuur door.
De zelfbewuste Roop is daartegen bestand, maar de oudere Satya wordt ongewild een vreemde in de kringen waarin haar man verkeert.
Geweldig boek. Een verhaal dat zich afspeelt ten tijde dat India nog niet "verdeeld" was (India-Pakistan) maar ook de onderlinge verhoudingen aangeeft tussen Hindoes, Moslims en Sikhs.
Het is historisch maar ook hartstochtelijk. De relatie tussen de 2 echtgenotes onderling maar ook hun relatie met hem en omgekeerd. Goede beschrijving van hun gevoelens. Een concept waar ik totaal niets van begrijp. Mijn tenen kruilde dan ook!
Verschrikkelijk mooi en boeiend geschreven en verteld. Ik keek uit naar elk minuut dat ik weer een stukje verder zou kunnen lezen.
Al heeft het een aantal weken geduurd. Het trok mij iedere dag weer volledig het verhaal in.
Roop is een zestienjarig sikh-meisje. In 1937 trouwt ze met de vijfentwintig jaar oudere Sardarji, een welgesteld landeigenaar die door zijn studie in Oxford tussen twee culturen in staat, de Indiase en de Engelse.
Sardarji heeft al een eerste vrouw, Satya. Zij is de trotse manager van Sardarji's huishouden, maar ze kan haar man geen erfgenaam schenken. Satya, vernederd door Roops komst, verbergt haar gevoelens en besluit dat Roop voor haar een kind zal dragen.
Het is in de tijd dat India onafhankelijk wordt van de Britten. Een turbulente periode breekt aan en ook in het huis van Sardarji dringt de moderne westerse cultuur door.
De zelfbewuste Roop is daartegen bestand, maar de oudere Satya wordt ongewild een vreemde in de kringen waarin haar man verkeert.
Geweldig boek. Een verhaal dat zich afspeelt ten tijde dat India nog niet "verdeeld" was (India-Pakistan) maar ook de onderlinge verhoudingen aangeeft tussen Hindoes, Moslims en Sikhs.
Het is historisch maar ook hartstochtelijk. De relatie tussen de 2 echtgenotes onderling maar ook hun relatie met hem en omgekeerd. Goede beschrijving van hun gevoelens. Een concept waar ik totaal niets van begrijp. Mijn tenen kruilde dan ook!
Verschrikkelijk mooi en boeiend geschreven en verteld. Ik keek uit naar elk minuut dat ik weer een stukje verder zou kunnen lezen.
Al heeft het een aantal weken geduurd. Het trok mij iedere dag weer volledig het verhaal in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2017
I originally started this book in Feb 2013 and didn't get far before I set it aside to possibly attempt another time. It was a challenge that was the deciding factor in pulling it back off the shelf and wiping the dust off the cover. I'm glad I did.
I enjoyed this intricate tale of three people embroiled in the dynamics of a marriage with two wives amidst the backdrop of a time when having a second wife was beginning to be socially frowned upon. That alone could have made an interesting story, but add the maelstrom of the Partition in the 1940's India and you have a volatile tale. At times the story was riveting, yet at other times a bit dry and I found myself slogging my way through.
My loyalties between the two wives shifted from the beginning of the book to the end, and I was much more involved in the power struggle between them than I was the political power struggle. Yet, towards the end of the book, I was drawn into that as well. The immediate days surrounding Partition in August 15, 1947 were horrific. 10,000,000 people were relocated without any organization. One day they had a home and the next they did not. 2,000,000 people (men, women & children) died in the violence that ensued. India was divided by religion.
I placed this on my "Canadian connection shelf" because the author was born in Canada.
I enjoyed this intricate tale of three people embroiled in the dynamics of a marriage with two wives amidst the backdrop of a time when having a second wife was beginning to be socially frowned upon. That alone could have made an interesting story, but add the maelstrom of the Partition in the 1940's India and you have a volatile tale. At times the story was riveting, yet at other times a bit dry and I found myself slogging my way through.
My loyalties between the two wives shifted from the beginning of the book to the end, and I was much more involved in the power struggle between them than I was the political power struggle. Yet, towards the end of the book, I was drawn into that as well. The immediate days surrounding Partition in August 15, 1947 were horrific. 10,000,000 people were relocated without any organization. One day they had a home and the next they did not. 2,000,000 people (men, women & children) died in the violence that ensued. India was divided by religion.
I placed this on my "Canadian connection shelf" because the author was born in Canada.
November 18, 2008
What the Body Remembers by Shauna Singh Baldwin is one of my favorite books of all time! I wish I had read this book sooner. It took me almost eight weeks to finish the book; I read in intervals because I had to take detours to complete other reading commitments.
The book centers around three main characters: Roop, who at the age of sixteen, becomes a second wife to a rich landowner; Satya the landowner's first wife who is childless and struggles to maintain her status when a new woman comes into her world and begins to have children; Sadarji is a rising man in the Indian Irrigation department.
For most of the book, my favorite character was Satya. She was so strong and fearless. I love how she questioned the gap between the intention of Sikhs to treat women as equals and the reality of women not being valued or treated the same as men. The following passage is such a good example of how Satya's wishes express the struggle between the reality and her wishes for it:
Surely, there will come a time when just being can bring izzat in return, when a woman will be allowed to choose her owner, when a woman will not be owned, when love will be enough payment for marriage, children or no children, just because her shakti takes shape and walks the world again. What she wants is really that simple.
Towards the end of the book, all of the characters worlds are rocked by the religious divisions between Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims which intensify as the departing British prepare to divide the land into India and Pakistan.
During this period, I especially appreciated the growth in Roop. She goes from being timid to finally finding her voice and having the courage to stand alone. Throughout the book, I really HATED Sardarji. On some level, I could sympathize with is struggle to rise in the British government that was in India. However, I felt so angry with him for how he treated Satya and I did not fully understand or appreciate his need to take a second wife. Towards the end of the book, there is a powerful scene at a train station in which the iciness in my heart for Sadarji began to defrost.
Another thing I appreciated the book is how all three characters are devout Sikhs and yet manage to question and embody the principles of Sikhism in their own ways. I look forward to reading more about the author in the future.
The book centers around three main characters: Roop, who at the age of sixteen, becomes a second wife to a rich landowner; Satya the landowner's first wife who is childless and struggles to maintain her status when a new woman comes into her world and begins to have children; Sadarji is a rising man in the Indian Irrigation department.
For most of the book, my favorite character was Satya. She was so strong and fearless. I love how she questioned the gap between the intention of Sikhs to treat women as equals and the reality of women not being valued or treated the same as men. The following passage is such a good example of how Satya's wishes express the struggle between the reality and her wishes for it:
Surely, there will come a time when just being can bring izzat in return, when a woman will be allowed to choose her owner, when a woman will not be owned, when love will be enough payment for marriage, children or no children, just because her shakti takes shape and walks the world again. What she wants is really that simple.
Towards the end of the book, all of the characters worlds are rocked by the religious divisions between Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims which intensify as the departing British prepare to divide the land into India and Pakistan.
During this period, I especially appreciated the growth in Roop. She goes from being timid to finally finding her voice and having the courage to stand alone. Throughout the book, I really HATED Sardarji. On some level, I could sympathize with is struggle to rise in the British government that was in India. However, I felt so angry with him for how he treated Satya and I did not fully understand or appreciate his need to take a second wife. Towards the end of the book, there is a powerful scene at a train station in which the iciness in my heart for Sadarji began to defrost.
Another thing I appreciated the book is how all three characters are devout Sikhs and yet manage to question and embody the principles of Sikhism in their own ways. I look forward to reading more about the author in the future.
November 7, 2017
5 and a 鉂�
This is an extraordinary book. The novel deals with the struggles to form Pakistan, when Muslims fought Sikhs and Hindus, and with the traditional culture vs the modern expectations. It is also a tale of woman and her place in the world. Roop is just 16 when she becomes the second wife of Sandaji (needed because 1st wife Satya is still barren after 20 years). How Roop grows and matures, how Satya descends to madness with jealousy and hatred are themes that mirror the division of India and Pakistan.
Our book club had chosen it months in advance, but our discussion took place one week after Sept 11, 2001. Couldn't have been more timely.
UPDATE April 2005
I read it again for a different book club, and got even more out of it.
This is an extraordinary book. The novel deals with the struggles to form Pakistan, when Muslims fought Sikhs and Hindus, and with the traditional culture vs the modern expectations. It is also a tale of woman and her place in the world. Roop is just 16 when she becomes the second wife of Sandaji (needed because 1st wife Satya is still barren after 20 years). How Roop grows and matures, how Satya descends to madness with jealousy and hatred are themes that mirror the division of India and Pakistan.
Our book club had chosen it months in advance, but our discussion took place one week after Sept 11, 2001. Couldn't have been more timely.
UPDATE April 2005
I read it again for a different book club, and got even more out of it.
February 25, 2022
I do not need to understand words to know he is disappointed I am not a boy. Some things need no translation. And I know, because my body remembers without benefit of words, that men who do not welcome girl-babies will not treasure me as I grow to woman --though he call me princess just because the Gurus told him to.
I have come so far, I have borne so much pain and emptiness!
But men have not yet changed.
Every woman has her own kismat.
Oh the perils of being a female, giving birth to one.
During India partition, two women married to the same man.
- because of course, men need sons.
I was fully invested with the drama between the wives, the inside turmoil of Satya, forty years old first wife feel against Roop,16 years old young bride who sees marriage and children are the only thing every woman should ought to have.
Deeply moved by Satya's pain and Roop's naivety.
Served with rich Indian culture.
I have come so far, I have borne so much pain and emptiness!
But men have not yet changed.
Every woman has her own kismat.
Oh the perils of being a female, giving birth to one.
During India partition, two women married to the same man.
- because of course, men need sons.
I was fully invested with the drama between the wives, the inside turmoil of Satya, forty years old first wife feel against Roop,16 years old young bride who sees marriage and children are the only thing every woman should ought to have.
Deeply moved by Satya's pain and Roop's naivety.
Served with rich Indian culture.
March 23, 2024
I have to say, it's a bit of a mixed bag. While the author delves into important themes and the climax holds potential for deeper meaning, I felt like the story was stretched thin at times. It didn't fully captivate me like I hoped it would. Still, worth a read if you're interested in exploring complex narratives.
May 2, 2024
3.5 stars
Challenging, but beautiful.
I wish I better understood the historical and cultural references. Shauna Singh Baldwin is constantly battling between giving too much context and assuming great background knowledge of the reader. The beginning was slow and complex as I had to learn how to get into Baldwin鈥檚 writing style and wait for the storyline to develop. Once the plot thickened, an engrossing story of the differences in family and a woman鈥檚 place in the world (India, 1930-60s) took place.
Bonus points for getting this book for free and it also being a signed copy!
Challenging, but beautiful.
I wish I better understood the historical and cultural references. Shauna Singh Baldwin is constantly battling between giving too much context and assuming great background knowledge of the reader. The beginning was slow and complex as I had to learn how to get into Baldwin鈥檚 writing style and wait for the storyline to develop. Once the plot thickened, an engrossing story of the differences in family and a woman鈥檚 place in the world (India, 1930-60s) took place.
Bonus points for getting this book for free and it also being a signed copy!
June 22, 2010
The story of Sardarji, an English-educated Sikh engineer in India during the last days of British rule, but more centrally of his two wives. Satya is Sardaji's contemporary, strong-willed and well-suited to him, but unable to have children. Roop, his much younger second wife, is an independent child, when we first meet her, but soon gives way to societal expectations that she be "good-good, sweet-sweet." The tensions between the three, and the restricted roles placed on Satya and Roop, are at the center of the novel, and the underlying political tensions only partly understood by the two women. Near the end of the novel, when the British withdraw from India, and Partition between India and Pakistan draws near, Roop's limited understanding of the political factors of the outside world spotlights the intensity and confusion of the experience for readers, giving a different perspective than a book with a broader scope, like Midnight's Children.
I felt some frustration with the book, but on reflection, it echoes the limitations on Satya and on Roop, who obsesses about doing "what women are for" (bearing children and particularly sons). But having read about Partition from Hindu and Muslim perspectives, it was particularly interesting to see the experience through the eyes of the Sikhs, as well as to learn more generally about Sikh culture. Thus, though the book honestly did drag in some places, I'm giving it four stars.
I felt some frustration with the book, but on reflection, it echoes the limitations on Satya and on Roop, who obsesses about doing "what women are for" (bearing children and particularly sons). But having read about Partition from Hindu and Muslim perspectives, it was particularly interesting to see the experience through the eyes of the Sikhs, as well as to learn more generally about Sikh culture. Thus, though the book honestly did drag in some places, I'm giving it four stars.
September 27, 2009
After reading The Tiger's Claw by the same author, I was quite excited when my book club chose this book as a selection for this year. I really struggled with this book, however.
The writing was beautiful with great imagery and insightful comments. I enjoyed the central story of Roop, Satya, and Sardarji. I found the history and culture interesting. The book provided us with a fantastic discussion. I just got bogged down in the Punjabi words that I couldn't always decipher the meaning of, the multiple names of people who didn't seem to be integral to the plot, and the history that though interesting, was not explained fully enough for me to comprehend with my ignorance of it.
I wish I enjoyed the book more. I have to admit that I did find myself liking it more in hindsight following our discussion. We all seemed to agree, though, that a glossary to define many of the terms and perhaps even a map of the area before and after the division of India to illustrate the history may have been helpful and may have helped me to enjoy the story more.
The writing was beautiful with great imagery and insightful comments. I enjoyed the central story of Roop, Satya, and Sardarji. I found the history and culture interesting. The book provided us with a fantastic discussion. I just got bogged down in the Punjabi words that I couldn't always decipher the meaning of, the multiple names of people who didn't seem to be integral to the plot, and the history that though interesting, was not explained fully enough for me to comprehend with my ignorance of it.
I wish I enjoyed the book more. I have to admit that I did find myself liking it more in hindsight following our discussion. We all seemed to agree, though, that a glossary to define many of the terms and perhaps even a map of the area before and after the division of India to illustrate the history may have been helpful and may have helped me to enjoy the story more.
March 3, 2010
If the circle that is your body falls on a ladder inscribed on the game board of time, you climb.If it lands on a snake,you slip-slide back.Resume your journey again.
And if you do not learn what you were meant to learn from your past lives,you are condemned to repeat them.
This is Karma.
This is what got me hooked!
I loved this book...you travel with Roop as if your really their and at times I swear I could taste and smell what I was reading,and would have to come to relisation I was at home sitting in my lounge chair in my modern day and time....At times it is hard to read for being a woman in a mans world was very difficult and hard to digest how these woman survived and my heart reaches out to them all!
Enjoy:)
And if you do not learn what you were meant to learn from your past lives,you are condemned to repeat them.
This is Karma.
This is what got me hooked!
I loved this book...you travel with Roop as if your really their and at times I swear I could taste and smell what I was reading,and would have to come to relisation I was at home sitting in my lounge chair in my modern day and time....At times it is hard to read for being a woman in a mans world was very difficult and hard to digest how these woman survived and my heart reaches out to them all!
Enjoy:)
June 20, 2019
"Sometimes we choose to die because it is the only way to be both heard and seen."
A wonderfully written description of the 1947 Partition, as told from a woman's perspective. Not many books talk about the things a woman or in this case, a young girl had to go through during those times. This one does and delivers splendidly. Worth a read.
A wonderfully written description of the 1947 Partition, as told from a woman's perspective. Not many books talk about the things a woman or in this case, a young girl had to go through during those times. This one does and delivers splendidly. Worth a read.
August 14, 2009
Set in mid-20th-century India before it was partitioned. It was apparently trying to set up the tentions among Sikhs, Hindus, & Moslems, but used so much arcane terminology & assumed knowledge of cultural practices that I found it too difficult to follow.
November 6, 2015
I loved this book! If you don't know much about the partition of India and Pakistan thus is a great way to find out about it, as well as some bits of Indian culture wrapped up in a story I couldn't put down!
January 27, 2019
I was bored to death
May 21, 2020
鈥橝 woman must choose the wisdom of lies over the dangers of truth...鈥�
馃摎
Punjab, 1937. When his first wife is unable to bear a child, a Sikh landowner marries again. Tension simmers between the two wives as Satya, the older and more embittered of the two, struggles with the stinging humiliation of being upstaged by Roop鈥檚 youthful beauty and apparent fecundity. But even as the power play within the household escalates, the mounting political unrest in the Punjab will have unforeseen consequences for Satya and Roop as the country hurtles towards the promise of Independence and the horrors of Partition.
鉁�
I first read 鈥淲hat the Body Remembers鈥� while still in high school, when I wanted to consume everything I could about the Partition of India and its bloody legacy. Baldwin conjures an immersive story of two flawed yet compelling women, living through momentous times, who find themselves in a dilemma not of their own making鈥攍ocked in a rivalry even as the country is ripped asunder. Women were particularly vulnerable during the Partition, and this novel seeks to honour the many nameless victims of that historic bloodbath.
馃摎
Punjab, 1937. When his first wife is unable to bear a child, a Sikh landowner marries again. Tension simmers between the two wives as Satya, the older and more embittered of the two, struggles with the stinging humiliation of being upstaged by Roop鈥檚 youthful beauty and apparent fecundity. But even as the power play within the household escalates, the mounting political unrest in the Punjab will have unforeseen consequences for Satya and Roop as the country hurtles towards the promise of Independence and the horrors of Partition.
鉁�
I first read 鈥淲hat the Body Remembers鈥� while still in high school, when I wanted to consume everything I could about the Partition of India and its bloody legacy. Baldwin conjures an immersive story of two flawed yet compelling women, living through momentous times, who find themselves in a dilemma not of their own making鈥攍ocked in a rivalry even as the country is ripped asunder. Women were particularly vulnerable during the Partition, and this novel seeks to honour the many nameless victims of that historic bloodbath.
May 24, 2020
I love anything related to India, historical fiction, travel books, mythology, you name it. But this book was pretty hard to digest. I loved the storyline and even the writing style but somehow I couldn鈥檛 like it the way I wanted to.
It revolves around Roop and Satya, wives of a rich Sardarji. Roop is taken as his second wife because Satya failed to give him kids, so throughout the book we see Roop as just being taken as a baby-producing vessel. I couldn鈥檛 help but empathize with the two women, who were fighting their own inner battles while also trying to 鈥減lease鈥� their man. The role of women during those times is well presented in this book; which mostly constituted of obeying their husband, never be angry, endure, etc etc. it was frustrating to read about the patriarchal society, which is still persistent in india.
Then the partition happens, and we read the gore details of the atrocities that took place. I was particularly sad reading about Kusum(Roop鈥檚 sis-in-law).
The ending was satisfying.
It revolves around Roop and Satya, wives of a rich Sardarji. Roop is taken as his second wife because Satya failed to give him kids, so throughout the book we see Roop as just being taken as a baby-producing vessel. I couldn鈥檛 help but empathize with the two women, who were fighting their own inner battles while also trying to 鈥減lease鈥� their man. The role of women during those times is well presented in this book; which mostly constituted of obeying their husband, never be angry, endure, etc etc. it was frustrating to read about the patriarchal society, which is still persistent in india.
Then the partition happens, and we read the gore details of the atrocities that took place. I was particularly sad reading about Kusum(Roop鈥檚 sis-in-law).
The ending was satisfying.
July 2, 2018
This story is about the period of India's independence and the separation of Pakistan and India. Primarily the book is set in Punjabi, the state that was divided by the separation. The story is told from the perspective of a Sikh engineer and his two wives.
I found the start of the book and the story of the two women really interesting. Oddly enough, the last part of the book where everything happens kind of lost me a bit. What I did get from the story is that this was a violent and confusing time for everyone caught up in the separation.
I did like the book and I thought the characterisation was really good.
I found the start of the book and the story of the two women really interesting. Oddly enough, the last part of the book where everything happens kind of lost me a bit. What I did get from the story is that this was a violent and confusing time for everyone caught up in the separation.
I did like the book and I thought the characterisation was really good.
June 7, 2018
Not an easy read but a clever interweaving of a family's history with that of the country - India. Told from the perspective of Sikhs about whom I knew little in the partition.
July 11, 2017
Shauna Singh Baldwin brings to life India before and during WWII, and most especially after the war has ended, during decolonization and the making of divided India. This moving story centers around two women, Satya and Roop, wives to the same man, beautiful characters who made me feel all glowy and proud to be a woman. The story has left me somewhat enlightened on the differences and similarities among Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. And it sent me rushing through my highschool and university history textbooks, wondering "why wasn't I taught this? Why didn't I know that the forming of Pakistan tore people, of all religions, from their homes, tore babies from their mothers wombs and left them to die in the ditches of the Grand Trunk Road?" All that I could find on my bookshelf was one paragraph on one page that tells me: "The obstacle posed by conflict between India's Hindu and Muslim populations was resolved in 1947 by creating two sites predominantly Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan." Astonished, I now know, definitively, that history books lie. 1947? Resolved? like hell. This is when the British involvement ended, but when the effects of their involvement continued. When the British gave "independence" as if it was a gift they had the choice to give, when they drew a line blindly across a map and called it a rational division.
I lived among Sikhs through my upbringing, I drove by their temple, but never imagined what was held within. We called them East Indian. We noticed they smelled different from us. Spicey. Daring. I loved the flowing layers of color that enveloped the ladies: saris, chumees, kameez, words I didn't know then. I had some vision of a country on a map, a mis-shapen inverted triangle, dusty and sweltering hot. I sat with my Sikh neighbours at school, laughed at our shared jokes, and thought I honoured them by ignoring our differences. I have been so wrong. I have never known their, my neighbours', deep history, and it is only now that I am seeing them for the first time with both eyes.
This book has done for me what all good stories should do: it has forced me to look at myself, what I thought I knew, to excavate, to purge the mis-knowledge, to peer deeper in to the shadowy areas and acknowledge that which I have ignored, and then to temporarily rebuild, to ask for more. And I will do it again and again willingly.
I lived among Sikhs through my upbringing, I drove by their temple, but never imagined what was held within. We called them East Indian. We noticed they smelled different from us. Spicey. Daring. I loved the flowing layers of color that enveloped the ladies: saris, chumees, kameez, words I didn't know then. I had some vision of a country on a map, a mis-shapen inverted triangle, dusty and sweltering hot. I sat with my Sikh neighbours at school, laughed at our shared jokes, and thought I honoured them by ignoring our differences. I have been so wrong. I have never known their, my neighbours', deep history, and it is only now that I am seeing them for the first time with both eyes.
This book has done for me what all good stories should do: it has forced me to look at myself, what I thought I knew, to excavate, to purge the mis-knowledge, to peer deeper in to the shadowy areas and acknowledge that which I have ignored, and then to temporarily rebuild, to ask for more. And I will do it again and again willingly.
March 3, 2015
I was drawn to this book because I like historical novels that are set in countries prior to/during their independence. I think that I understand more about the historical vicissitudes if I am having it filtered through characters in a novel who can (and should) express opinions on them. I was not disappointed with What the Body Remembers for its approach on British India and the independence (as well as the creation of Pakistan), and was happy to read the point of view from the Sihks, which is often disregarded (Freedom at Midnight, by Lapierre and Collins, while excellent in many ways, sort of always has felt to me like a hagiography of Ghandi). I actually got a lot out of the book also regarding the myriad ways humans have found to categories and degrade/elevate other humans, seeing what divides so easily and what connects they are totally lost to. The information about the treatment of women (particularly the marriage / inheritance aspects) was extremely depressing when I come to realise that India (and Pakistan) can have female prime ministers, but can still be in the bronze age as far as the level of natural respect and justice that a woman should have. Very enlightening to me to read about in this form.
The only things preventing me from giving this book a full 5 star rating was what I felt was the excessive use of foreign language terminology (it could have been a good idea to put a short glossary in the beginning of the book, because while you are moving along in the book, the terms' meanings become clear, it is a bit annoying to always have to pause and wonder precisely what is being described.) I also felt the book repeated many of the same phrases and sentences too often, giving me a deja vu of a few hours' prior reading, and also, I did not feel particular sympathy or interest in the characters themselves, but just in their "types". The extremely dramatic moment of Roop giving up her first child could have been played with far more emotion than it was, and the shock that the revelation that this would happen had for me a few pages before it happened was quite un-dramatic when it was actually happening.
The only things preventing me from giving this book a full 5 star rating was what I felt was the excessive use of foreign language terminology (it could have been a good idea to put a short glossary in the beginning of the book, because while you are moving along in the book, the terms' meanings become clear, it is a bit annoying to always have to pause and wonder precisely what is being described.) I also felt the book repeated many of the same phrases and sentences too often, giving me a deja vu of a few hours' prior reading, and also, I did not feel particular sympathy or interest in the characters themselves, but just in their "types". The extremely dramatic moment of Roop giving up her first child could have been played with far more emotion than it was, and the shock that the revelation that this would happen had for me a few pages before it happened was quite un-dramatic when it was actually happening.
April 12, 2014
WHAT THE BODY REMEMBERS
Shauna Singh Baldwin
An engrossing and fascinating story of the two Sikh wives of a wealthy Sikh man at the time of the Partition of India and Pakistan. The majority of the story unfolds the realities of the lives of Sikh women in that era in minute detail. Readers of other faiths and perspectives learn a great deal about Sikh life and culture, and how once Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims lived as neighbours until the British fanned the fires of dissent as a ploy to 鈥渄ivide and conquer鈥� with disastrous and lethal results to people of all three groups.
Warning: deeply disturbing scenes that, at least in my case, caused lasting distress.
In the last quarter of the book I felt disappointed that the writer allowed the larger events of history with its attendant violence, to sweep over the women's story and distance us from the characters with whom we had become intimately connected. Of course, wars do sweep over people's lives so that their individuality is dwarfed and their human value insignificant in the big picture. At the same time, one of our two wives survived these events, discovered remarkable inner resources, but then seemed to sink back into her older simplistic and not too reflective self, with the intention of making life as close to its former 鈥渘ormality鈥� as possible.
As a reader I felt the women's story was wrenched away from me. Greater events happened, but were in no way resolved (nor are yet), and I was left hanging as to whether the Sikh community was challenged to look more closely at its values and especially the role of women. In this story the next generation of women already existed. Did they, were they able, to follow in their mother's footsteps? Or was the attention to women's issues simply a way to lure us into the horrible reality of what the Partition did to the Sikhs, among others?
A book well worth reading.
Shauna Singh Baldwin
An engrossing and fascinating story of the two Sikh wives of a wealthy Sikh man at the time of the Partition of India and Pakistan. The majority of the story unfolds the realities of the lives of Sikh women in that era in minute detail. Readers of other faiths and perspectives learn a great deal about Sikh life and culture, and how once Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims lived as neighbours until the British fanned the fires of dissent as a ploy to 鈥渄ivide and conquer鈥� with disastrous and lethal results to people of all three groups.
Warning: deeply disturbing scenes that, at least in my case, caused lasting distress.
In the last quarter of the book I felt disappointed that the writer allowed the larger events of history with its attendant violence, to sweep over the women's story and distance us from the characters with whom we had become intimately connected. Of course, wars do sweep over people's lives so that their individuality is dwarfed and their human value insignificant in the big picture. At the same time, one of our two wives survived these events, discovered remarkable inner resources, but then seemed to sink back into her older simplistic and not too reflective self, with the intention of making life as close to its former 鈥渘ormality鈥� as possible.
As a reader I felt the women's story was wrenched away from me. Greater events happened, but were in no way resolved (nor are yet), and I was left hanging as to whether the Sikh community was challenged to look more closely at its values and especially the role of women. In this story the next generation of women already existed. Did they, were they able, to follow in their mother's footsteps? Or was the attention to women's issues simply a way to lure us into the horrible reality of what the Partition did to the Sikhs, among others?
A book well worth reading.
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