Customer Reviews

Madras on Rainy Days: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book provides a searing look into the complex world of Indian Muslims, and particularly when it is mixed with the influence of Western culture, its materialism and its freedom. Layla is a young woman raised both in India and in the west and as a result she belongs in neither world. Yet that is what she longs for, more than anything -- to belong. So when her mother arranges a marriage to the son of family friends, Layla reluctantly goes along, rather than risk ostracism from her family. She soon finds that Islam provides her life with a safety net, a sense of belonging that she had never experienced before. And so she falls in love, not only with her husband, who is all but a stranger to her, but with her husband's family, and the closeness it provides. Ultimately however, the secrets everyone's been witholding are slowly revealed, including Layla's own, and she must make some tough choices.

This is a gorgeously written novel that brings to life the dichotomy of life under Islam, particularly for women. I highly recommend it.

Ali's storytelling is richly and beautifully detailed, even as it describes the dark and oppressive themes that run throughout the story. Her description of Hyderabadi life and culture was so vivid and visceral, I felt as though I was standing there even though I have never seen the place. I think the reason that it so enveloped me was her deliberate choice to introduce each character (Layla, her parents, Sameer, and the rest of the family members) as sort of a blank slate, onto which the reader naturally imposes his or her own presuppositions. Then she slowly reveals details about each character that pique the reader's interest and often run counter to these presuppositions. However, I should add that the whole idea of this mystery with its nebulous characters never seemed to clarify itself to me. Sameer's "secret" seemed too much a contrived plot to bridge Eastern and Western social culture, and the ending seemed to beg for a little more summarization of how Layla's character had grown through all this. It is not clear what our protagonist has gained from all these trying experiences, aside from learning that she can "hide behind her veil" if she remains in Hyderabad where she now feels at home; perhaps a short epilogue would have given readers some closure on Layla's future on her own.

Layla has spent her life on the periphery of two divergent cultures; while in India she is constantly reminded of her American upbringing whereas while in Minnesota her Indian accent is frequently remarked upon by strangers. This theme of not fully belonging to either culture runs throughout MADRAS ON RAINY DAYS as Layla marries her fiancé Sameer in an arranged marriage with plans to return to the United States afterward. This novel provides an in-depth glimpse of a Muslim Indian wedding and its varied traditions resulting in a colorful feast of words and images for the reader.

As a result of Layla and Sameer's precarious situation of marrying someone that is a virtual stranger they join in matrimony with their own hidden secrets. Despite their pledge after the conclusion of the wedding festivities to leave the past alone when their secrets are revealed they cause significant tensions between husband and wife and aim to end their marriage. But in the tradition of Indian culture these problems don't simply exist between Layla and Sameer but rather become a matter of discussion and problem solving for both extended families and even the neighborhood itself.

There is little doubt that Samina Ali paints a rather somber and sinister portrait of the restrictive Muslim customs and religious beliefs that void the freedoms of Layla and other women in general. In addition the centuries-old feuding between Hindus and Muslims in India also put women in peril and dangerous situations if they are found without adequate protection of men.

Overall MADRAS ON RAINY DAYS is a vibrant and satisfying read that touches on several serious issues that deserve attention and consideration. In light of the seductiveness and whimsy of recent Indian literature published in the past several years this book is a good addition to the bunch. I'm looking forward to future books by this talented author. Enjoy.

I personally would recommed this book to anyone who is interested in cross cultural battles faced by this generation. Layla on one hand wants to live life with freedom and on the other hand is bound by customs and traditions. This book not only gives us an insight into the inner turmoils a girl could go through but also makes us aware that as girls we are ready to go to any extent to live up to the traditions and cultural standards set by our ancestors & elders.

"Madras on Rainy Days" provides a rare glimpse into the life of a traditional Hyderabadi family. This helps fill a gap in recent South Asian literature especially given the uniqueness of Hyderabadi culture within India. The writing is atmospheric and sharp and the story gripping. Would highly recommend this book.

Someone loaned me this book months ago, and I finally picked it up to read over the holidays. I didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't put it down - it was intriguing. It was a real treat - Ali's clear writing is a beautiful foil for the complicated emotions that roil through people as they try to discover themselves and work through relationships. A big bonus was the setting for the book - Muslim India. I know people that have actively read books by/about Muslim women, and I had never sought one out. This book provided a window into the world behind the chador. All in all, it was inspiring and simply beautiful.

I saw this book on a shelf at the local library and thought it looked a bit too fem for a guy like me. Still, because of it's relation to my beloved India, I knew that I had to read it. I must say that I disagree with most of the negative comments found above. Firstly, it was a relief that the author did not launch into a hackneyed and drawn out description of the Indian wedding - it's been done before and once the description starts...it never ends, much like an Indian wedding (though I know little of the Muslim version, I imagine it is similar). Better to leave something to our imagination. The book is pleasingly devoid of the cerebral, post modern psychobabble that you find in other writers in this genre. Moreover, this is a personal story of this young woman's choices and those thrust upon her. I like the fact that it wasn't playing up on India's exotic appeal, but rather it's a personal journey that just happens to be taking place in Hyderbad. India is in cast, for sure, but it is not the lead role.

Although some of the scenarios may be a bit forced (like the Hindu violence against the Muslims), it is fiction, after all and the author has a right to take such liberties. As a *Hindu* (a meaningless word which I am using for convention's sake)I was pleased with her description of Hindu beliefs: sensative and not judgemental. Although that crack about Ganesh mentioned above was a faux pas, it was an understandable one and appropriate to the story.

I get the feeling the other Western reviewers never have had the distinct pleasure of residing in, or maybe even visiting, India. Frankly, what Samina Ali has written is %100 accurate. Yes, even Sameer's "secret" is far more likely to be the truth than that other reviewer could ever imagine. Probably as likely to happen in India, if not more so.

In any case, I absolutely loved the story and I had to put the book down and cry so many times as it did not just reminded me of India and my failed marriage there, but because it brought India back to me, hitting me like a tsunami; that's powerful writing. This is a good story that will move you, plain and simple. I will certainly never forget it. I am giving it 4 stars, not 5, only because there is always room for improvement. I highly recommend it.

The concept for the book was good, it got me to pick up the book, but it left me disappointed to no end. The author was able to capture some images of India to make me believe she'd actually been there, but as for the people and the society... I couldn't buy her version of the story. It seems she stuck to the expected. By the middle of the book I could guess her next move. Predict who would die, or what was the big secret. I read it through hoping that she would salvage the story... but instead the author herself lost the main idea behind her story. She starts out with the concept of a girl fighting the 2 sides of her personality and ends up dragging the reader's attention to the Hindu - Muslim fight without truly completing that stand point and detering our attention from Layla's inner battle as well. As for the whole idea of Layla's belief that her father would kill her for dishonor, and even be allowed... There is no way I buy that happening in Hyderabad! Perhaps in a small village out in nowheresville, but not in a bigger city. It just seemed too "stereotypical" too expected by an outsider, simply playing into the formula of what someone would expect from a third world country, instead of actually analyzing the country at a closer look.

Good first novel; I would have liked a little more detail on the wedding (when were they actually considered to be married? what was the significance of some of the customs?) and explaination of some of the terms used, and a little less repetition of some of the other details of Layla's past. I enjoyed learning about the culture and the Hindu/Muslim conflict. This would be an excellent choice for a book club as it supplies much to discuss.

Ali has written a splendid first novel that is hard to put down. The writing is superb, and the themes explored are many, and fascinating. The author brings a new perspective to the question of arranged marriages, intercultural and intergenerational relations, and those age-old questions of love, and religion.