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Anita: A Trophy Wife
Sujatha was the pseudonym of Tamil author S. Rangarajan, one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature; his literary career spanned more than four decades. Of his many works, Anita—A Trophy Wife (Ilam Manaivi) was one of the most well-known.
Featuring Advocate Ganesh, of the author’s Ganesh–Vasanth duo, the novel describes the strained relationship between a middle-aged man and a beautiful young woman in poignant and simple terms. It brings out the nuances of a power struggle, while retaining the humour and wit that is a trademark of Sujatha’s novels.
At one level a detective story and, at another, a psychological humdinger, in Sujatha’s deft telling, this story acquires a timelessness. Ably translated by Meera Ravishankar, the book is quintessential Sujatha—gripping, perceptive and superbly written.
Featuring Advocate Ganesh, of the author’s Ganesh–Vasanth duo, the novel describes the strained relationship between a middle-aged man and a beautiful young woman in poignant and simple terms. It brings out the nuances of a power struggle, while retaining the humour and wit that is a trademark of Sujatha’s novels.
At one level a detective story and, at another, a psychological humdinger, in Sujatha’s deft telling, this story acquires a timelessness. Ably translated by Meera Ravishankar, the book is quintessential Sujatha—gripping, perceptive and superbly written.
156 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
28 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Sujatha
300 books1,371 followersSujatha was the allonym of the Tamil author S. Rangarajan, Author of over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He was one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He had a wide readership, and served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil movies.
As an engineer, he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM) during his tenure at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a machine which is currently used in elections throughout India. As an author he inspired many authors, including Balakumaran, Madhan.
As an engineer, he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM) during his tenure at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a machine which is currently used in elections throughout India. As an author he inspired many authors, including Balakumaran, Madhan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 30, 2024
The good old allure of the sleazy pulp fiction! Rightfully frowned upon. Hard to deny. And even harder to overlook.
'Anita: A Trophy Wife' is a blast right from the Tamil past. Sujatha, a pseudonym for author S. Rangarajan, was one of the most eminent names in Tamil Nadu when it came to easy-fast fiction. Growing in immense popularity throughout the era. His brand of cheap thrills, colourful stories, and quotable dialogue resonated with the masses, which soon made its way to the cinemas, earning moderate success.
Originally titled 'Anita - Ilam Manaivi', this modern translation by Meera Ravishankar aims to indulge the wider reader base in a taste-test of sorts. Does a story like this work outside Tamil Nadu? Does it work in modern times, that too in English? And even if it does, who is the targeted audience in this day and age?
The answers are a mixed bag.
I, for once, was intrigued by it forever. The book continued to adorn my Amazon wishlist for years, until I finally took the plunge last month. Although the cover is eye-catching, it could have been even more ridiculous. God knows, pulp fictions demand strange marketing tactics. The worse it gets, the better it bodes for the brand. But this is Rupa Publications after all. One cannot really expect too much out of them.
Anyways. The story falls within a series. Sujatha was famous for his 'Ganesh-Vasanth' duo. And this one is the second one in the chronology. A story where Vasanth doesn't even show up once. So, why the second? You might ask. Wouldn't it have been much cooler to have started from the very beginning?
The answer's simple. Universal appeal is what it is. Unlike the previous one, this one takes place in Delhi. The entirety of it. A curious choice that was obviously taken thinking about the market in hand. But the lack of a Tamil element in a Tamil crime fiction was oddly disappointing and left me feeling slightly cheated. Then there's the translation. Fine, by itself. Definitely captures the raciness of the original. But fails to nail the humour that might have pulsated in the original dialogues.
As such, you continuously feel like there's something missing in here. The mystery is alright. There's the definite sleaze factor as well, with the women being constantly fetishized. And some animated action sequences to cushion the high octane drama. Everything that's expected out of dated literature of such a breed. And yet the recurring blandness creeps up to you, time and again.
I couldn't pinpoint the exact source of it. Maybe it was the story that they chose to translate? Or maybe it was the translation itself? I don't know. But I'll give credit to the original author for managing to add some colour and spice to these deeply stereotypical, paper-like characters. (Maybe, enough to make modern Kollywood proud.)
(2.5/5 || November, 2024)
'Anita: A Trophy Wife' is a blast right from the Tamil past. Sujatha, a pseudonym for author S. Rangarajan, was one of the most eminent names in Tamil Nadu when it came to easy-fast fiction. Growing in immense popularity throughout the era. His brand of cheap thrills, colourful stories, and quotable dialogue resonated with the masses, which soon made its way to the cinemas, earning moderate success.
Originally titled 'Anita - Ilam Manaivi', this modern translation by Meera Ravishankar aims to indulge the wider reader base in a taste-test of sorts. Does a story like this work outside Tamil Nadu? Does it work in modern times, that too in English? And even if it does, who is the targeted audience in this day and age?
The answers are a mixed bag.
I, for once, was intrigued by it forever. The book continued to adorn my Amazon wishlist for years, until I finally took the plunge last month. Although the cover is eye-catching, it could have been even more ridiculous. God knows, pulp fictions demand strange marketing tactics. The worse it gets, the better it bodes for the brand. But this is Rupa Publications after all. One cannot really expect too much out of them.
Anyways. The story falls within a series. Sujatha was famous for his 'Ganesh-Vasanth' duo. And this one is the second one in the chronology. A story where Vasanth doesn't even show up once. So, why the second? You might ask. Wouldn't it have been much cooler to have started from the very beginning?
The answer's simple. Universal appeal is what it is. Unlike the previous one, this one takes place in Delhi. The entirety of it. A curious choice that was obviously taken thinking about the market in hand. But the lack of a Tamil element in a Tamil crime fiction was oddly disappointing and left me feeling slightly cheated. Then there's the translation. Fine, by itself. Definitely captures the raciness of the original. But fails to nail the humour that might have pulsated in the original dialogues.
As such, you continuously feel like there's something missing in here. The mystery is alright. There's the definite sleaze factor as well, with the women being constantly fetishized. And some animated action sequences to cushion the high octane drama. Everything that's expected out of dated literature of such a breed. And yet the recurring blandness creeps up to you, time and again.
I couldn't pinpoint the exact source of it. Maybe it was the story that they chose to translate? Or maybe it was the translation itself? I don't know. But I'll give credit to the original author for managing to add some colour and spice to these deeply stereotypical, paper-like characters. (Maybe, enough to make modern Kollywood proud.)
(2.5/5 || November, 2024)
April 21, 2018
My first Sujatha. Started it on a whim... But then could not put it down. A fast paced crime investigation.. Of course there are many books in the same line now but at the time it was published this must have been an original plot line... Will read more of Sujatha.
August 12, 2017
சுஜாதாவின் ஆரம்பகால த்ரில்லர்களில் ஒன்று.வேகமான கதை ஓட்டம்,திடீர்த் திருப்பங்கள் என் சுவாரசியமாக நகர்கிறது நாவல். கணேஷ் மட்டும் வருகிறார்.வசந்தைக் காணவில்லை.வசந்தின் வேலைகளில் ஒரு பாதியை கணேசும் மற்றைய பாதியை சுஜாதாவும் செய்தாலும் வசந்த் இருந்திருந்தால் இன்னும் நன்றாக இருந்திருக்கும் என்று தோன்றியது.அனிதாவும் மோனிகாவும் கணேஷ் கணேஷ் என்று உருகி வழிவது சலிப்பூட்டியது.கணேஷின் ஹீரோயிசத்தையும் கொஞ்சம் மட்டுப்படுத்தியிருக்கலாம்.ஆரம்பகால நாவல் கொஞ்சம் சென்டிமென்ட் தூக்கலாக இருக்கின்றது.சுவாரசியத்துக்காக ஒரு தடவை வாசிக்கலாம்.
November 13, 2018
Two women, two perspectives, a whole lot of fortune, a lawyer and a murder. If looked from surface the book had every element to make it a good crime thriller but when you start reading it you will find that the contents of the book are way different it largely relies on the woman sensuality rather than character building. Irony is that the titular character Anita was objectified throughout the novel she is there either to seduce someone or to cry out her sad story to someone, this is all what she had in the name of character development. All other characters are also completely forgettable.
Most of the events taking place were repeative throughout the course of the book. Ending was like some potboiler bollywood film. There are some events which are put deliberately to deepen the mystery but you can sense the twist and even predict the ending. I discovered the book while watching Sriram Raghavan's latest masterpiece "Andhadhun" thankfully it was a short read and didn't waste much of my time.
1 Star.
Most of the events taking place were repeative throughout the course of the book. Ending was like some potboiler bollywood film. There are some events which are put deliberately to deepen the mystery but you can sense the twist and even predict the ending. I discovered the book while watching Sriram Raghavan's latest masterpiece "Andhadhun" thankfully it was a short read and didn't waste much of my time.
1 Star.
October 13, 2008
Sujatha is a contemporary tamil Author. He gave a new look to tamil literature and story telling. I have read almost all books of Sujatha. But not sure why there is not even one in Good Reads. Would add more whenever I come across names..
June 3, 2013
one of Sujatha's first few stories. Vasanth irukka maattaar.
December 6, 2021
அனிதா இளம் மனைவி is a fast paced murder mystery thriller written early in Sujatha’s writing career, his second serialized story in குமுதம் weekly magazine. Set in New Delhi, this story features lawyer Ganesh without Vasanth being in the mix. Ganesh displays some of Vasanth’s behaviors & characteristics, especially as it comes to his views of beautiful women, of which there are two in this story, Anitha & her step daughter, Monica. It is quite obvious that Sujatha, in his later writings, separated those characteristics, amplified them and created Vasanth, while he made Ganesh respectability himself. That side note, however, is not germane to this story. An easy read, with the required twists and turns, அனிதா இளம் மனைவி’s ending is somewhat predictable. So what? This is still vintage Sujatha.
April 24, 2019
Not that captivating...
December 20, 2018
Sujatha is the pseudonym for the writer. Anita, Ilaim Manavi, meaning the Trophy Wife is a fast paced who-dunnit fearuring the lawyer Ganesh, who appears in subsequent novels by Sujatha. This was my first reading of this Tamil cult hit. A quick breezy read, there’s a lot for everyone in there, mostly appealing to those who love crime fiction. His language is direct, simple and lot of red herrings along the plot. The film Andhadhun, released in 2018 starred Tabu as the trophy wife, and a dead husband. Although the movie deviates heavily from the book, there is a scene where I saw Tabu reading this book. Since the day and age of the release of this book itself, we have seen such tropes and familiar plot-twists in films, books and other pop culture. Read the book appreciating the times in which it was written for pure pleasure and fun, and also to know who could have been the killer!!
May 8, 2018
I read two books simultaneously - 20 pages a day.one non-fiction and other this. But I just couldn't put this book off. It grips you and makes you sit on the edge. Amazing write up. I bought it on kindle when there was a huge discount. After reading this book, I looked for the Author's name again and I look forward to reading more of his books. This book gives tough competition to Canon Doyle's Sherlock - no hype. I am glad I came across this book.
April 24, 2022
Anita: A Trophy Wife is a English translation of the Tamil novel Ilam Manaivi. The book has been translated by Meera Ravishankar.
The story has a good share of believable twists and with a good suprise ending. The author constantly tries something different and the bookending of the story with the escapades of an unrelated couple was a good masterstroke.
https://nairsudhir.wordpress.com/2018...
The story has a good share of believable twists and with a good suprise ending. The author constantly tries something different and the bookending of the story with the escapades of an unrelated couple was a good masterstroke.
https://nairsudhir.wordpress.com/2018...
January 22, 2019
3.5/5
It was a fun read that i enjoyed. The book is fast paced and has enough twists to keep you glued to it till the end. You can read my detailed views about the book by clicking on the link below.
Anita:A trophy wife
It was a fun read that i enjoyed. The book is fast paced and has enough twists to keep you glued to it till the end. You can read my detailed views about the book by clicking on the link below.
Anita:A trophy wife
December 6, 2017
I got introduced to Ganesh vasanth novels of Sujatha through kolai arangam.
I missed vasanth in this book. just wished that vasanth character was there too along with Ganesh. it would have been more fun.
but an excellent paced thriller.
I missed vasanth in this book. just wished that vasanth character was there too along with Ganesh. it would have been more fun.
but an excellent paced thriller.
April 19, 2018
Nice read. My first Sujatha book in English! I have read so many of his books in Tamil. Wonder whether there are more of his books translated in English. I guess Sujatha's books in Tamil are really special.
October 9, 2018
Pretty thrilling page turner though I wish that the climax had a logical buildup instead of the protagonist just stumbling upon a newspaper clipping and arriving at the correct conclusion. Nevertheless an enjoyable read.
April 12, 2016
very gripping story. somehow dragging in the middle. but the suspense is held till the last.
somewhere there are many loop holes in the plot. but doesn't matter
somewhere there are many loop holes in the plot. but doesn't matter
October 2, 2016
sujatha vin aramba kala kathaigal, anitha vil irrundhu silviya varai ethanai maarudhal ethanai acharyamgal, maradhu irrupadhu sujathavin gripping narrative technique
March 19, 2018
Unexpected climax , what a twist ... A great read for crime novel lovers .
May 10, 2018
3 stars except for the objectification of women that was rife.
October 25, 2018
Pro - I finished this book in one sitting.
Con - I finished this book.
Con - I finished this book.
March 1, 2021
Having already come across the theme of this mystery many times, I'd already guessed it when I read here. Sujatha does try and confuse us a bit afterwards with the rivalry between Anita and Monika, but borrowing the words of Bane (who actually borrowed it from Ra's al Ghul),
"Theatricality and deception are powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we are initiated, aren't we Bruce?"
I should probably stick to the Tamil versions; the translations didn't work in places where Sujatha was trying paint a vivid picture for the reader.
I should try proper Tamil works of Sujatha to know more about him.
"Theatricality and deception are powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we are initiated, aren't we Bruce?"
I should probably stick to the Tamil versions; the translations didn't work in places where Sujatha was trying paint a vivid picture for the reader.
I should try proper Tamil works of Sujatha to know more about him.
July 11, 2020
A typical Sujatha murder mystery featuring lawyer Ganesh. It was a thrilling page turner about the murder of a young woman's husband. Anita as the title suggests is a trophy wife of a wealthy old man who dies in a mysterious circumstance, leaving the bulk of his estate to his young wife rather than his daughter. Suspicions fall on the wife and daughter who each seek the help of the lawyer/sleuth Ganesh for help and support. Ganesh unravels the mystery surrounding the death of Anita's husband in his own style in the yesteryear Delhi. The twist at the end is worth reading the book.
July 19, 2020
My first stint with tamil literature ....Story more like a bollywood potboiler film..Sujatha is a versatile Tamil author, .whose interests included computers, archeology, astrophysics, biotechnology, and neuroscience, ..lot of his novels were adapted into movies ...
appreciating the times in which it was written (1970's) it is quite ok ....
appreciating the times in which it was written (1970's) it is quite ok ....
August 14, 2022
What a page turner !!!!!!
Sujatha is the king of tamil(masala) fiction. As usual, he rocked it.
I was reading some non fiction book and this weekend is a long one. I thought to start some fiction in order to entertain myself during the long weekend. But, I couldn't stop reading this book and It is over in a couple of hours.
Have to start some other book now :)
Sujatha is the king of tamil(masala) fiction. As usual, he rocked it.
I was reading some non fiction book and this weekend is a long one. I thought to start some fiction in order to entertain myself during the long weekend. But, I couldn't stop reading this book and It is over in a couple of hours.
Have to start some other book now :)
May 11, 2021
3.5/5. A fun and interesting read.
January 30, 2025
Suspense was good. Love triangle kept me turning pages.
July 25, 2018
I really liked the previous book I read by Sujatha because it was a quick thriller with an old school charm. This one however, had that the other aspect of 'old school' - objectification of women.
I finished it in about an hour and a half, it was a pacy read and super quick read. I know this isn't literary fiction so I didn't expect much from it. But it was a solid meh.
I finished it in about an hour and a half, it was a pacy read and super quick read. I know this isn't literary fiction so I didn't expect much from it. But it was a solid meh.
November 22, 2018
It seemed like an english translation of some hindi novel.
This is only a crime genre of some hindi novel type. Many a times you would think that why are you reading this. The answer is that only the story is gripping and has a 'trophy wife ' in it.
This is only a crime genre of some hindi novel type. Many a times you would think that why are you reading this. The answer is that only the story is gripping and has a 'trophy wife ' in it.
November 13, 2018
A decent book, which seems more like a movie script.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews