The Blurb:
Sondai, who is about to die, reminiscences her entire life of transformation. She is a widow, which is a taboo in our society till date, particularly in the villages of our country and in the state Bihar. The story revolves around the indomitable beliefs of Sondai, the main character, and how this ultimately brings a progression in the fate of her family as well.
Excerpt:
Life had trained her with experiences. A childhood spent in fairy tales of her beauty myths to stepping into a life that's all white and blank, the transformation of her audacious persona was not at all a tranquil journey- it had been a rough and rocky conduit all the way.
Life had trained her with experiences. A childhood spent in fairy tales of her beauty myths to stepping into a life that's all white and blank, the transformation of her audacious persona was not at all a tranquil journey- it had been a rough and rocky conduit all the way.
***
The strong gingery aroma of the boiling tea and the splashing sound of kachadis in the pan could not stop Sondai's baffling emotions from thinking about Manoj. He still had the boyish charm, irrespective of the mustache that had developed on his face, the same twinkling eyes, large forehead and he had become duskier with age, it seemed.
The Review:
''Change is inevitable in life. You can either resist it and potentially get run over by it, or you can choose to cooperate with it, adapt to it, and learn how to benefit from it. When you embrace change you will begin to see it as an opportunity for growth.'' - Jack Canfield
To accept the change and unravel the path of uncertainties is often easier said than done. The desperation of comfort zone often resist us from walking down the road less traveled. After all, we are the choices we make- to let oneself scummed by the loss or let go off past, embrace what life has to offer. The protagonist of this story, Sondai has been on both the sides- slave of her fate and later the captain of her destiny.
The Reviewer's Heart…
The Reviewer's Heart…
'Sondai- The Dowager Bride' is an imprinted harsh reality that society has been practicing mindlessly since ages. This story is an honest portrayal of disregard and soreness that every woman has to go through because of their submissive nature and societal pressure. Sondai which literally means gold-like is the protagonist of the story. She is a juvenile carrying a child-like enthusiasm and zeal. Her mesmerizing beauty and sheer intelligence are the prominent part of her personality.
Belonging to a society where women are not looked at beyond their physical attributions, Sondai being attractive was expected to live life like a fairy-tale but, destiny had some other plans for her. Sondai was married to Suraj, who already was a father to five children. On the fifth day after their wedding, Suraj dies unexpectedly, having no sign of health issues. The entire family, who earlier treated Sondai like a queen, started calling her a ''Chamain'', an inauspicious woman who ate her husband. The same girl to whom Suiraj's family was admiring, were now treating her like a complete outcast.
She was partly disowned by the family- given a dungeon kind of room to live in. On the day Suraj died, she planted a mango tree in a memory of him and started believing it as her only companion. Sondai wasn't ready for the U-turn her life took so abruptly but one thing that helped her make a little space in hearts was her incredible cooking skills. No matter however the terms were of family members with Sondai, everyone used to relish the food she made especially samosas, kachori and hot pepping chai.
The only support that Sondai had was her step daughter Badamia. Both of them had 'despair' in common and hence they had a strong bond shared 'secretly'. Widowed at a very young age, Sondai had physical desires which often used to make her uneasy and restless. That's when she came across Manoj, who admired and loved Sondai since a very young age. Manoj's presence often led to butterflies in her stomach imagining a wild intimacy, which Sondai often regretted about.
Will Sondai re-marry? Will she be ever able to make her place in family's heart? Will she ever make Suraj's family realize that his death was a mere co-incidence and Sondai had nothing to do with it? Will she be able to take a stand for herself or would she be scummed to her fate?
Belonging to a society where women are not looked at beyond their physical attributions, Sondai being attractive was expected to live life like a fairy-tale but, destiny had some other plans for her. Sondai was married to Suraj, who already was a father to five children. On the fifth day after their wedding, Suraj dies unexpectedly, having no sign of health issues. The entire family, who earlier treated Sondai like a queen, started calling her a ''Chamain'', an inauspicious woman who ate her husband. The same girl to whom Suiraj's family was admiring, were now treating her like a complete outcast.
She was partly disowned by the family- given a dungeon kind of room to live in. On the day Suraj died, she planted a mango tree in a memory of him and started believing it as her only companion. Sondai wasn't ready for the U-turn her life took so abruptly but one thing that helped her make a little space in hearts was her incredible cooking skills. No matter however the terms were of family members with Sondai, everyone used to relish the food she made especially samosas, kachori and hot pepping chai.
The only support that Sondai had was her step daughter Badamia. Both of them had 'despair' in common and hence they had a strong bond shared 'secretly'. Widowed at a very young age, Sondai had physical desires which often used to make her uneasy and restless. That's when she came across Manoj, who admired and loved Sondai since a very young age. Manoj's presence often led to butterflies in her stomach imagining a wild intimacy, which Sondai often regretted about.
Will Sondai re-marry? Will she be ever able to make her place in family's heart? Will she ever make Suraj's family realize that his death was a mere co-incidence and Sondai had nothing to do with it? Will she be able to take a stand for herself or would she be scummed to her fate?
Trust me, there are many more mysteries that are to be answered. I don't want to make this review a spoiler for others and thus I would recommend you to read and discover Sondai's journey by yourself.
What I liked?
The story-line is set in North Bihar and the author has beautifully incorporated the local terms and location, making the story much more authentic. Also, it's thoughtful of Payal to bring up such a delicate issue with a path breaking story that speaks for thousands of women out there, struggling to make their presence felt and recognized. Although, the story starts with a tragic beginning but further carries on to a new and positive dimension. All the characters are well-developed and speaks for themselves. The narration is engaging enough to stir the curiosity chapter after chapter. The book cover having a red streak on a white background resonates perfectly with Sondai's life.
What I disliked?
A few repeated statements could have been avoided, for example, the sudden death of Suraj and what it led to Sondai's life. The chapter titles could have been more catchy.
Why should one read this book?
It's an insightful book aiming to convey the dreadful customs which our society follow mindlessly. It's an awakening after a dead dark night.
Rating:
Blurb: 3/5
Description: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4 /5
Book Details:
Title: Sondai- The Dowager Bride
Author: Payal Kumar
Genre: Fiction
Type:Paperback
Publisher: Artson Publishing House
Language: English
Pages: 71
Year of Publication: 2019
Price: 245 INR
Buy: Amazon Paperback
Stars… To this tale, a ride full of upheaval, struggle and ecstasy, I give a 4 star rating. Recommended to all
I am glad to read and review it. The opinions expressed in the review are my own, and remain unbiased and uninfluenced. I have given a 4 star rating on Goodreads and Amazon as I felt nothing less than that would be fair.
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