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NIYOGI BOOKS The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay
This is the story of Pauloma Chattopadhyay, a middle-aged
housewife living in Kolkata. When an old earthen vessel in
the storeroom of her house transports Pauloma to different
worlds, the rules of time and space are suspended, puncturing
the mundanity of routine.
She is whisked to Germany where she becomes Aurora Miller,
Egypt where she lives as Princess Rabiya Abdi, and Gujarat
where she transforms into the fiery Monghi.
The bizarre ensues in full force when Pauloma travels across
the eras of Germany under Nazi occupation, Egypt in the
throes of a cultural revolution, and post-Independence rural
India steeped in superstition.
The stories of the three women become increasingly entwined
with Pauloma’s who loses her grip over reality.
housewife living in Kolkata. When an old earthen vessel in
the storeroom of her house transports Pauloma to different
worlds, the rules of time and space are suspended, puncturing
the mundanity of routine.
She is whisked to Germany where she becomes Aurora Miller,
Egypt where she lives as Princess Rabiya Abdi, and Gujarat
where she transforms into the fiery Monghi.
The bizarre ensues in full force when Pauloma travels across
the eras of Germany under Nazi occupation, Egypt in the
throes of a cultural revolution, and post-Independence rural
India steeped in superstition.
The stories of the three women become increasingly entwined
with Pauloma’s who loses her grip over reality.
172 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
74 people want to read
About the author
Devangi Bhatt
12 books2 followersદેવાંગી ભટ્ટ વર્તમાન ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યનુ એક સશક્ત નામ છે. એમની નવલકથાઓનું વિષયવસ્તુ જ નહીં, લેખનશૈલી પણ આગવી છે. ‘વાસાંસિ જીર્ણાનિ’ ની ક્રૂર જર્મન નાયિકા ઓરોરા મિલર હોય કે ‘સમાંતર’ નો તેજસ્વી નાયક રઘુનાથ બર્વે ..... દેવાંગી ભટ્ટની કલમે ગુજરાતી સાહિત્યમાં અદ્ભુત પાત્રો ઉમેર્યા છે.
દેવાંગી ભટ્ટ વીસ વર્ષ સુધી ગુજરાત યુનીવર્સીટીમાં અર્થશાસ્ત્રના પ્રાધ્યાપિકા તરીકે કાર્યરત હતા. યુનીવર્સીટીના સાંસ્કૃતિક આયોજનો માટે એમણે વર્ષો સુધી યુવાન વિદ્યાર્થીઓને તાલીમ આપી છે. પણ રંગભૂમિ હમેશા આ લેખિકા અને અભિનેત્રીનો પ્રથમ પ્રેમ રહી.
રંગભૂમિના અનેક સફળ નાટ્યપ્રયોગો સાથે આ લેખિકાનું નામ જોડાયેલું છે. પછી એ સંગીત-નાટ્ય અકાદમી દ્વારા પુરસ્કૃત કૃતિ “સમય સાક્ષી છે” હોય, કે ભવન્સની દ્વિઅંકી નાટકોની સ્પર્ધામાં લગભગ તમામ કેટેગરીમાં વિજયી બનેલું નાટક “ ચિત્રલેખા” હોય . દેવાંગીની અંતિમ નાટ્યકૃતિ ‘એકલા ચાલો રે’ ટાગોરના અને કાજલ ઓઝા વૈદ્યના સાહિત્યિક વિવાદ પર આધારિત હતી.
રંગભૂમિ માટે અનેક પ્રયોગો લખ્યા પછી વર્ષ ૨૦13 માં દેવાંગી ભટ્ટનો ટૂંકી વાર્તાઓનો સંગ્રહ ‘પરસેપ્શન’ નવભારત સાહિત્ય મંદિર દ્વારા બહાર પાડવામાં આવ્યો. એ પછી લગભગ બે વર્ષ એમણે એડિટર નંદિની ત્રિવેદી માટે મેગેઝીન ‘મારી સહેલી’ ની કોલમ ‘ બીદેશીની’ લખી. ભારતની દીકરીઓ કે જે વિશ્વના જુદા-જુદા દેશોમાં જઈ વસી હતી એમના અનુભવો આ કોલમમાં આલેખાયા. વાચકોએ આ ભાવવાહી લખાણને વધાવ્યું.
પણ ભાવનાત્મક આલેખન કરી શકતા દેવાંગી ભટ્ટ એમના નિર્ભીક રાજકીય તથા સામાજિક લેખો માટે પણ જાણીતા છે. એમના બેબાક શબ્દો આસપાસ સહમતી-અસહમતીની ડમરીઓ ઉડતી રહે છે, પણ અસહમતી હોય એણે પણ આ આગવી કલમનો મજબુત અભિપ્રાય નોંધવો પડે છે.
દેવાંગીએ શ્રી રામસ્વરૂપ દ્વારા લિખિત ‘Hinduism- Reviews and Reflections’ નો અનુવાદ કર્યો છે જેની પ્રસ્તાવના પદ્મભૂષણ ડેવિડ ફ્રોલી દ્વારા લખાઈ છે. આ અતિગંભીર લેખન સાથે દેવાંગી એમની હળવી શૈલીની તળપદી કવિતાઓ માટે પણ જાણીતા છે.
લખાણના અનેક સ્વરૂપોમાં કામ કરતા લેખિકાને એમનું પ્રિય સ્વરૂપ પૂછો તો કહે છે “નવલકથા ... એક નવા વિશ્વનું નિર્માણ જેમાં શહેરો, રસ્તા, ઘરો, વ્રુક્ષો અને પાત્રો ...ત્યાં સુધી કે ઉંબરાનો દીવો પણ મારે જ સર્જવાનો હોય. જ્યાં કોઈ બીજું નથી, ફક્ત મારી કલ્પનાનો વિસ્તાર છે. ઈશ્વરને આ વિશ્વ બનાવતી વખતે કદાચ આવી જ અનુભૂતિ થઇ હશે.”
દેવાંગી ભટ્ટ વીસ વર્ષ સુધી ગુજરાત યુનીવર્સીટીમાં અર્થશાસ્ત્રના પ્રાધ્યાપિકા તરીકે કાર્યરત હતા. યુનીવર્સીટીના સાંસ્કૃતિક આયોજનો માટે એમણે વર્ષો સુધી યુવાન વિદ્યાર્થીઓને તાલીમ આપી છે. પણ રંગભૂમિ હમેશા આ લેખિકા અને અભિનેત્રીનો પ્રથમ પ્રેમ રહી.
રંગભૂમિના અનેક સફળ નાટ્યપ્રયોગો સાથે આ લેખિકાનું નામ જોડાયેલું છે. પછી એ સંગીત-નાટ્ય અકાદમી દ્વારા પુરસ્કૃત કૃતિ “સમય સાક્ષી છે” હોય, કે ભવન્સની દ્વિઅંકી નાટકોની સ્પર્ધામાં લગભગ તમામ કેટેગરીમાં વિજયી બનેલું નાટક “ ચિત્રલેખા” હોય . દેવાંગીની અંતિમ નાટ્યકૃતિ ‘એકલા ચાલો રે’ ટાગોરના અને કાજલ ઓઝા વૈદ્યના સાહિત્યિક વિવાદ પર આધારિત હતી.
રંગભૂમિ માટે અનેક પ્રયોગો લખ્યા પછી વર્ષ ૨૦13 માં દેવાંગી ભટ્ટનો ટૂંકી વાર્તાઓનો સંગ્રહ ‘પરસેપ્શન’ નવભારત સાહિત્ય મંદિર દ્વારા બહાર પાડવામાં આવ્યો. એ પછી લગભગ બે વર્ષ એમણે એડિટર નંદિની ત્રિવેદી માટે મેગેઝીન ‘મારી સહેલી’ ની કોલમ ‘ બીદેશીની’ લખી. ભારતની દીકરીઓ કે જે વિશ્વના જુદા-જુદા દેશોમાં જઈ વસી હતી એમના અનુભવો આ કોલમમાં આલેખાયા. વાચકોએ આ ભાવવાહી લખાણને વધાવ્યું.
પણ ભાવનાત્મક આલેખન કરી શકતા દેવાંગી ભટ્ટ એમના નિર્ભીક રાજકીય તથા સામાજિક લેખો માટે પણ જાણીતા છે. એમના બેબાક શબ્દો આસપાસ સહમતી-અસહમતીની ડમરીઓ ઉડતી રહે છે, પણ અસહમતી હોય એણે પણ આ આગવી કલમનો મજબુત અભિપ્રાય નોંધવો પડે છે.
દેવાંગીએ શ્રી રામસ્વરૂપ દ્વારા લિખિત ‘Hinduism- Reviews and Reflections’ નો અનુવાદ કર્યો છે જેની પ્રસ્તાવના પદ્મભૂષણ ડેવિડ ફ્રોલી દ્વારા લખાઈ છે. આ અતિગંભીર લેખન સાથે દેવાંગી એમની હળવી શૈલીની તળપદી કવિતાઓ માટે પણ જાણીતા છે.
લખાણના અનેક સ્વરૂપોમાં કામ કરતા લેખિકાને એમનું પ્રિય સ્વરૂપ પૂછો તો કહે છે “નવલકથા ... એક નવા વિશ્વનું નિર્માણ જેમાં શહેરો, રસ્તા, ઘરો, વ્રુક્ષો અને પાત્રો ...ત્યાં સુધી કે ઉંબરાનો દીવો પણ મારે જ સર્જવાનો હોય. જ્યાં કોઈ બીજું નથી, ફક્ત મારી કલ્પનાનો વિસ્તાર છે. ઈશ્વરને આ વિશ્વ બનાવતી વખતે કદાચ આવી જ અનુભૂતિ થઇ હશે.”
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 9, 2024
The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is a slim novel of less than two hundred pages, translated from Gujarati. Replete with magical realism, the book narrates the story of the middle-class, middle-aged housewife Pauloma, whose life has been akin to a flat line for the past fifty-odd years. She lives in Kolkata in a middle-class household with a husband, who is neither particularly loving nor cruel, and her two sons and their wives, with whom she shares exactly the kind of relationship one imagines when thinking of a middle-class household.
Pauloma’s flat existence gets a jolt on the day she gives in to the urge to climb inside one of the huge pots used for storing grains in the past that are now eating dust in the storeroom. As she climbs into the pot, she finds herself transferred to a different place at a different time in a different form. This happens three times in the novel as we witness Pauloma experiencing three lives completely different from her own for a brief period.
The first time, she is a young girl and then the wife of a Gestapo officer in Nazi Germany; the second time, she is a princess living in Cairo in a limited world that is suddenly broadened by a new arrival, and in the third, she is a Gujarati woman who has decided to fulfil a dream as the rest of her village waits for an apocalypse which is supposed to destroy their lives soon. Pauloma becomes each of these women when they are at the cusp of something pivotal in their life, something that’s going to change the direction of their life forever. Interestingly, these experiences of Pauloma also change her life even though it seems to be a change for the worse as she is branded delusional and considered so for the rest of her brief life.
Read the full review of this interesting tale here https://www.purplepencilproject.com/t...
Pauloma’s flat existence gets a jolt on the day she gives in to the urge to climb inside one of the huge pots used for storing grains in the past that are now eating dust in the storeroom. As she climbs into the pot, she finds herself transferred to a different place at a different time in a different form. This happens three times in the novel as we witness Pauloma experiencing three lives completely different from her own for a brief period.
The first time, she is a young girl and then the wife of a Gestapo officer in Nazi Germany; the second time, she is a princess living in Cairo in a limited world that is suddenly broadened by a new arrival, and in the third, she is a Gujarati woman who has decided to fulfil a dream as the rest of her village waits for an apocalypse which is supposed to destroy their lives soon. Pauloma becomes each of these women when they are at the cusp of something pivotal in their life, something that’s going to change the direction of their life forever. Interestingly, these experiences of Pauloma also change her life even though it seems to be a change for the worse as she is branded delusional and considered so for the rest of her brief life.
Read the full review of this interesting tale here https://www.purplepencilproject.com/t...
August 9, 2024
-Where a Woman Is and Where She Wants to Be: Female Agency Thrives in Flickering Moments of Hope and Clarity-
It’s a haunting dedication to the eternal seekers among us.
Hold onto your hats, because "The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay" by Devangi Bhatt is an electrifying journey through time and space that'll leave you spellbound.
Why did I pick this up?
The sheer allure of a tranquil life turned topsy-turvy by ancient earthen vessels was irresistible. Pauloma Chattopadhyay, a 50-year-old housewife in Kolkata, seemingly has it all – a peaceful marriage, a loving family, and a bustling home. But when an acquaintance from a local museum stirs curiosity about three dusty vessels in her storeroom, Pauloma’s routine existence is transformed into a riveting saga.
As Pauloma touches the vessel, the boundaries of her familiar world dissolve, and she is transported to different lives, each more vivid and extraordinary than her own. This transition from the mundane to the magical is seamless
One quiet day, she decides to investigate, only to be whisked away to distant lands and bygone eras.
Pauloma, the protagonist of Devangi Bhatt's The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay, is an archetype of the everywoman. Her life in Kolkata is a symphony of simplicity and routine, a life that resonates with the quiet rhythms of domesticity. Pauloma's days are filled with the predictable cycles of household chores, familial duties, and the subtle, often overlooked nuances of middle-aged existence. This mundanity, however, is not a prison but rather a canvas upon which the extraordinary is painted.
Picture this: Germany from 1925-43, Egypt in the 1950s, and a tiny village in Saurashtra, India in 1955. Pauloma morphs into Aurora Miller, seething with anti-Semitic hatred; Rabiya, whose unrequited love drives her to discover a new purpose; and Monghi, resolute and daring, bracing for an apocalyptic rumour.
What makes this book a standout?
Each story within this tapestry is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and vulnerability. Devangi Bhatt paints Pauloma’s daily life with such authenticity that readers can almost feel the gentle breeze from her veranda, hear the clinking of bangles as she goes about her chores, and sense the comforting yet monotonous pulse of her existence.
Pauloma Chattopadhyay’s journey from her domestic life in Kolkata to the extraordinary lives of women across different eras is a transformation as profound as it is inspiring. Initially, Pauloma’s existence is defined by the repetitive routines of household chores, a life centered around the needs of her family. It’s a life that many might consider mundane, yet within its quiet rhythms lies a yearning for something more—a desire to step beyond the familiar and into the unknown.
It’s a haunting dedication to the eternal seekers among us.
Hold onto your hats, because "The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay" by Devangi Bhatt is an electrifying journey through time and space that'll leave you spellbound.
Why did I pick this up?
The sheer allure of a tranquil life turned topsy-turvy by ancient earthen vessels was irresistible. Pauloma Chattopadhyay, a 50-year-old housewife in Kolkata, seemingly has it all – a peaceful marriage, a loving family, and a bustling home. But when an acquaintance from a local museum stirs curiosity about three dusty vessels in her storeroom, Pauloma’s routine existence is transformed into a riveting saga.
As Pauloma touches the vessel, the boundaries of her familiar world dissolve, and she is transported to different lives, each more vivid and extraordinary than her own. This transition from the mundane to the magical is seamless
One quiet day, she decides to investigate, only to be whisked away to distant lands and bygone eras.
Pauloma, the protagonist of Devangi Bhatt's The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay, is an archetype of the everywoman. Her life in Kolkata is a symphony of simplicity and routine, a life that resonates with the quiet rhythms of domesticity. Pauloma's days are filled with the predictable cycles of household chores, familial duties, and the subtle, often overlooked nuances of middle-aged existence. This mundanity, however, is not a prison but rather a canvas upon which the extraordinary is painted.
Picture this: Germany from 1925-43, Egypt in the 1950s, and a tiny village in Saurashtra, India in 1955. Pauloma morphs into Aurora Miller, seething with anti-Semitic hatred; Rabiya, whose unrequited love drives her to discover a new purpose; and Monghi, resolute and daring, bracing for an apocalyptic rumour.
What makes this book a standout?
Each story within this tapestry is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and vulnerability. Devangi Bhatt paints Pauloma’s daily life with such authenticity that readers can almost feel the gentle breeze from her veranda, hear the clinking of bangles as she goes about her chores, and sense the comforting yet monotonous pulse of her existence.
Pauloma Chattopadhyay’s journey from her domestic life in Kolkata to the extraordinary lives of women across different eras is a transformation as profound as it is inspiring. Initially, Pauloma’s existence is defined by the repetitive routines of household chores, a life centered around the needs of her family. It’s a life that many might consider mundane, yet within its quiet rhythms lies a yearning for something more—a desire to step beyond the familiar and into the unknown.
November 3, 2024
The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is an exploration of identity, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. At its core (and without giving much away), the novel follows Pauloma, a woman who has lived multiple lives—literally. As we move through her story, we see how the different versions of herself evolve: a girl grappling with family expectations, a woman lost in the pursuit of her dreams, and someone navigating the pains of love and loss.
These moments from her past are woven into the present, where she finds herself at a crossroads, reflecting on the decisions that shaped her life and the people who were part of it.
What stood out for me was the way the author intertwines Pauloma’s life across different time periods, giving us glimpses into her past and present while maintaining an air of mystery. Each chapter feels like peeling back another layer of who Pauloma is, and it’s hard not to be drawn into her journey of self-discovery.
The narrative flows well, but at times I felt certain parts could have been more developed. Some of the relationships felt rushed, leaving me wanting to know more about the motivations behind key characters. Still, there are moments of pure brilliance in the storytelling—particularly in the way the author captures Pauloma’s internal struggles and moments of emotional rawness.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
These moments from her past are woven into the present, where she finds herself at a crossroads, reflecting on the decisions that shaped her life and the people who were part of it.
What stood out for me was the way the author intertwines Pauloma’s life across different time periods, giving us glimpses into her past and present while maintaining an air of mystery. Each chapter feels like peeling back another layer of who Pauloma is, and it’s hard not to be drawn into her journey of self-discovery.
The narrative flows well, but at times I felt certain parts could have been more developed. Some of the relationships felt rushed, leaving me wanting to know more about the motivations behind key characters. Still, there are moments of pure brilliance in the storytelling—particularly in the way the author captures Pauloma’s internal struggles and moments of emotional rawness.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
October 25, 2024
Thanks to Niyogi Books and Indian Book Club for the ARC.
The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is an exploration of identity, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. At its core (and without giving much away), the novel follows Pauloma, a woman who has lived multiple lives—literally. As we move through her story, we see how the different versions of herself evolve: a girl grappling with family expectations, a woman lost in the pursuit of her dreams, and someone navigating the pains of love and loss. These moments from her past are woven into the present, where she finds herself at a crossroads, reflecting on the decisions that shaped her life and the people who were part of it.
What stood out for me was the way the author intertwines Pauloma’s life across different time periods, giving us glimpses into her past and present while maintaining an air of mystery. Each chapter feels like peeling back another layer of who Pauloma is, and it’s hard not to be drawn into her journey of self-discovery.
The author’s writing style is immersive. There’s a certain lyricism to the prose that makes even the quiet moments feel meaningful. At times, the language is almost poetic, with beautiful imagery that brings both the setting and Pauloma’s internal world to life. However, on the other side the detailed richness of the descriptions occasionally slows down the pace, especially in the middle, but it helps create a vivid emotional landscape that does linger on with you.
The narrative flows well, but at times I felt certain parts could have been more developed. Some of the relationships felt rushed, leaving me wanting to know more about the motivations behind key characters. Still, there are moments of pure brilliance in the storytelling—particularly in the way the author captures Pauloma’s internal struggles and moments of emotional rawness.
I also appreciated the cultural and historical references, which added depth and flavor to the story. That being said, the pacing slows to almost a halt in the middle, which made me struggle to continue a little. However, the strong ending ties it all together beautifully.
Overall, The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is a novel with vivid imagery and emotional depth. While it has its minor flaws, it’s worth a read for anyone who enjoys character-driven narratives.
The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is an exploration of identity, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. At its core (and without giving much away), the novel follows Pauloma, a woman who has lived multiple lives—literally. As we move through her story, we see how the different versions of herself evolve: a girl grappling with family expectations, a woman lost in the pursuit of her dreams, and someone navigating the pains of love and loss. These moments from her past are woven into the present, where she finds herself at a crossroads, reflecting on the decisions that shaped her life and the people who were part of it.
What stood out for me was the way the author intertwines Pauloma’s life across different time periods, giving us glimpses into her past and present while maintaining an air of mystery. Each chapter feels like peeling back another layer of who Pauloma is, and it’s hard not to be drawn into her journey of self-discovery.
The author’s writing style is immersive. There’s a certain lyricism to the prose that makes even the quiet moments feel meaningful. At times, the language is almost poetic, with beautiful imagery that brings both the setting and Pauloma’s internal world to life. However, on the other side the detailed richness of the descriptions occasionally slows down the pace, especially in the middle, but it helps create a vivid emotional landscape that does linger on with you.
The narrative flows well, but at times I felt certain parts could have been more developed. Some of the relationships felt rushed, leaving me wanting to know more about the motivations behind key characters. Still, there are moments of pure brilliance in the storytelling—particularly in the way the author captures Pauloma’s internal struggles and moments of emotional rawness.
I also appreciated the cultural and historical references, which added depth and flavor to the story. That being said, the pacing slows to almost a halt in the middle, which made me struggle to continue a little. However, the strong ending ties it all together beautifully.
Overall, The Many Lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay is a novel with vivid imagery and emotional depth. While it has its minor flaws, it’s worth a read for anyone who enjoys character-driven narratives.
August 5, 2024
As good in its prose as it is vast in its scope. This is surely storytelling at its finest — well done.
January 1, 2025
The Many lives of Pauloma Chattopadhyay by Devangi Bhatt, translated from the Gujarati (original titled Vasansi Jirnani) by Mudra Joshi begins with a lovely dedication - “For the Lost ones - At their core, some people are on an eternal journey. They crave a long lost home which they saw in some forgotten dream. Despite living in their time and place, they yearn for a faraway land. This book is dedicated to those timeless travellers who are always seeking.” These lines reminded me of the Malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu.
A peaceful life where a 6 mins long fight with her husband, Nikhil was the longest, sons and daughters-in-law who mostly gave no room for complaints,grandchildren whose din made the house vibrant, Pauloma Chattopadhyay, a 50 yr old housewife lead a life of contentment with her family in Kolkata. When an acquaintance from the local museum requests if the family would sell three, ancient, huge earthen vessels gathering dust in their storeroom to the museum, Pauloma’s humdrum existence is ruffled up.
On a day when alone at home, she visits the storeroom, and just like that sits inside one of the earthen vessels. She is whisked away years back in time, to cities far away from hers. The three earthen vessels take her to Germany of 1925-43, to Egypt in 1950s and to a tiny village in Saurashtra, India in 1955. In these vessels, she transmutes into three different women - into Aurora Miller brimming with vitriol for Jews, into Rabiya who discovers a purpose in life after she realises her love for a man will remain unrequited, and into Monghi who sets out to fulfil a raging desire in her with an unabashed resolve as her village, going by a rumour, gears up for an apocalypse on the full moon day.
As these stories unfold, we see how desires when left unchecked can wreak havoc (without getting preachy). Pauloma, leading a life of delusion, slowly detached from her reality, is not only a character but a primary conduit in the act of storytelling itself. The denouement of each of the 3 stories & the book itself is pretty interesting. A slim book that lived up to my expectations that its foreword generated. Enjoyed it!
A peaceful life where a 6 mins long fight with her husband, Nikhil was the longest, sons and daughters-in-law who mostly gave no room for complaints,grandchildren whose din made the house vibrant, Pauloma Chattopadhyay, a 50 yr old housewife lead a life of contentment with her family in Kolkata. When an acquaintance from the local museum requests if the family would sell three, ancient, huge earthen vessels gathering dust in their storeroom to the museum, Pauloma’s humdrum existence is ruffled up.
On a day when alone at home, she visits the storeroom, and just like that sits inside one of the earthen vessels. She is whisked away years back in time, to cities far away from hers. The three earthen vessels take her to Germany of 1925-43, to Egypt in 1950s and to a tiny village in Saurashtra, India in 1955. In these vessels, she transmutes into three different women - into Aurora Miller brimming with vitriol for Jews, into Rabiya who discovers a purpose in life after she realises her love for a man will remain unrequited, and into Monghi who sets out to fulfil a raging desire in her with an unabashed resolve as her village, going by a rumour, gears up for an apocalypse on the full moon day.
As these stories unfold, we see how desires when left unchecked can wreak havoc (without getting preachy). Pauloma, leading a life of delusion, slowly detached from her reality, is not only a character but a primary conduit in the act of storytelling itself. The denouement of each of the 3 stories & the book itself is pretty interesting. A slim book that lived up to my expectations that its foreword generated. Enjoyed it!
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