Padma Book By Mala Mahesh

Raw and Bold.

This is such bold and powerful read!

Two women - separated by timeline but going through the same atrocities of a patriarchal society. Their stories are reflections of each other. Between their stories, the timeline has changed but time has hardly changed.

The story spins in two different timelines and two different settings. Naina's story is set in present day Mumbai. She's a successful career woman with a loving husband and a fulfilling life. Padma's story is set in 1900 Kerala. She's a beautiful and wealthy woman who is adored by her husband and mother in law. But what connects their stories is the inability to bear children. Will they be able to challenge the patriarchal society and establish their identity of womanhood beyond the narrow definition of 'being able to bear a child'? This story is a raw description of the challenges and struggles of women who are going through the same.

The theme is bold and fascinating. The plot is intricately woven. Characterisation deserves special appreciation. The language is simple and lucid. The cover design looks so gorgeous. The narration is absolutely engaging and it kept me glued to the story till the end.

Bansal

Must read!

Insecurities really are the end of everything. But are they always entirely baseless? Padma (maybe very rightly so, in my opinion) shows that a woman’s instincts are seldom wrong.

This is the story of 2 women, Padma and Naina. Padma’s story is set in the 1900s, while that of Naina’s in the present day. Both the women are ambitious, smart, enticing and living a happy married life. But then…enters the other woman.

Oh, by the way, did I mention yet another commonality between them? They are both infertile.

Given so, Padma’s husband (though he loves her very much) resorts to a second marriage. And rifts start cracking in when Naina and her husband, Naveen, decide to opt for the IVF treatment. In their struggle to get out of the emotional labyrinth, what all havoc will these 2 women wreak on themselves and the world?

Katy Gruner-Hegge

Fabulous story

This book was an incredible eye opener to Indian customs and their purpose. It is a story of two beautiful and accomplished women living 100 years apart in India, but with many of the same restrictions and circumstances that apply to all women today. The comparisons were striking in the significance of patriarchal influences on their lives. I particularly loved the writers beautifully descriptive writing illuminating the lavish customs, rituals, decorations and symbols and their significance in daily Indian life. A truly great read.

Author Mala Mahesh