Forbidden in The Wide Web of Friends in YA Books

Nov 01, 2012 M. rated it did not like it

Shelves: depressing-books

I didn't expect to love this book since I'm not a fan over dramatic stories, and nothing gets more traumatic than a romance between brother and sister. However, I expected to at least respect it and get something out of it. But with that ending I really didn't understand what kind of message the author was trying to convey or what was the point of the whole thing. Love for family, sacrifice, love doesn't conquer all, the ruins of society? I don't know. Was what Lochan and Maya felt for each othe ...more

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Mar 25, 2020 Maddie added it

Shelves: literary-fiction

I'm not going to rate this one because I've just got so many conflicting thoughts and feelings about it. Just be in a good mindset while reading this one. ...more

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Sep 22, 2011 chinami rated it it was amazing

I wish i knew how to rate it. Its a rather delicate topic i on a sudden whim ventured into.
Plus points
Even though i hated myself initially for picking a book with such a theme, i couldn't help liking the way Ms Tabitha spun the tale. Honestly I have not seen one single brother being so selflessly taking care of his siblings and doing jobs like cooking, bathing the kids, putting them to sleep, putting up with their tantrums, picking them from school, paying bills and managing an entire household I wish i knew how to rate it. Its a rather delicate topic i on a sudden whim ventured into.
Plus points
Even though i hated myself initially for picking a book with such a theme, i couldn't help liking the way Ms Tabitha spun the tale. Honestly I have not seen one single brother being so selflessly taking care of his siblings and doing jobs like cooking, bathing the kids, putting them to sleep, putting up with their tantrums, picking them from school, paying bills and managing an entire household like an adult without a single complaint and not to mention getting straight A's in academics. Albeit this may appear as a fairytale and too stereotypical, it was interesting at least that such ppl exist in books. I could imagine the picture, Lochan was like the father figure in the house and i immediately liked him strictly as a BROTHER.
Its definitely not easy to handle an issue of incest without being too bold and dramatic and I appreciate the way she narrates the emotions and pain endured by Lochan and Maya. Their lives were extremely harsh, they had to face reality and hard facts of life at a very early age and the author has been tactful to base the reasoning of incest on violence and abuse they had endured at the neglect if their parents which i find to some extent relatable even though an attachment formed when they were little. Its understandable how Lochan experiences grief, remorse and pleasure simultaneously during the initial realization that he's in love with his sister. Maya feels only genuine pleasure and is unwilling to lose his love. As far as the ending goes, it was too tragic. But the bitter sweetness makes it beautiful especially when i look at the sacrifice he made for the well being of his siblings, even at the point of death he was thinking of them, i should say that moved me to tears. In my opinion i felt satisfied that the incest would cease.
Quite Overdone
I felt that may be the author took the plot too far. The molodrama of a mother wasting away her life hardly caring for her kids and dumping her responsibilities on her eldest kids was too far fetching. Also that it is unbelievable when teenagers accept a responsibility or rather a big burden without being self centered about their desires. It was like they stepped into their parent's shoes thereby justifying their actions. Suicide is total cowardice.
Minuses
Forbidden was a little suggestive. What with the detailed description of lochan's and maya's feelings emotionally and physically it does explains to the effect incest is okay. It is naturally awkward to even look at a brother-sister relationship(normal) without replaying the embarrassing moments of incestuous aspects given in this book. Incest will always be an insult and endanger good relationship between family members. The ending only served a poetical justice as impure love doesn't conquer anything. I'm totally not okay with word by word details of physical emotions. GROSS.
Strange feeling
Obstinate as i may be in my strictures on incest, some part of me couldn't accept the Lochan's death and for Maya to spend the rest of her life either punishing herself or crying over the useless sacrifice he made.

I think its a sad book
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Nov 29, 2011 Jessica Gomez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, own

This book was amazing. I read it all in one sitting.

The challenges and trial that Lochan and Maya have to go through with their never there mother, and their alway pressing younger siblings. The relationship itself, I will admit, is an abnormal one. But the way they love each other is non other than true love. And when love is so pure, it shouldnt harm anyone.

Lochan is shy, beyond shy around other people outside of the family. He suffers from panick attacks and social anxiety. Maya is always the ...more

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