Indu Sundaresan- In the Convent of Little Flowers
A compilation of short stories, this book caught me like no other compilation had previously. As I sat reading in bed, late at night, the 'Shelter of Rain', and 'Three and a half Seconds' seemed as if I had been a witness to these. It took a great effort to get to sleep, because Meha and Chander's lives were real, and the author has made them come alive for the reader. We share their pain, their worries, and hopes of a better future.
A compilation of short stories, this book caught me like no other compilation had previously. As I sat reading in bed, late at night, the 'Shelter of Rain', and 'Three and a half Seconds' seemed as if I had been a witness to these. It took a great effort to get to sleep, because Meha and Chander's lives were real, and the author has made them come alive for the reader. We share their pain, their worries, and hopes of a better future.
Traditional, orthodox India is beautifully reflected in 'Fire' and 'The Faithful Wife'. These incidents occurred in times when Indian society, though still conservative, placed a higher value on society's dictates and family honor than human lives. The winds of change have, slowly but surely, entered India too. In the busy cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, unmarried boys and girls live together, either as room mates, or (what is loosely termed) as "boyfriend-girlfriend" in Indian society. Seems like economic convenience, has taken precedence over age old morals and customs. Parents are shut off in old age homes, while children loll in the lap of luxury.
The 'Key Club' is a revelation of what the elite in India have started doing ,a new form of social entertaining, albeit going against everything that marriage in India has stood for. However, it is naive to believe that Indian women are so liberal, for 'Hunger' reveals a woman, battling her new found emotions with a sense of fear, going against society, and the structure that she has been a part of for so long.
A recommended read for anyone who wants to know how India has transformedfor the transition is clearly revealed in these stories. Indu Sundaresan's penmanship has the enigma to keep the reader riveted to the book, until curiosity is satisfied .
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