Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Absorbing story of modern India, September 2, 2008
Isha Tilak is happily married with a small daughter and pregnant with her second child. She lives with her husband, Nikhil, and his parents in Palgaum, a small town in southwestern India. Her life begins to change, though she doesn't know it, with a visit to her doctor for an ultrasound. As she and her husband watch the test, the doctor tells them that the baby Isha is carrying is a girl. Then he says "We can fix that."
Isha and Nikhil are stunned. The doctor is suggesting terminating the pregnancy because the child is not a boy! They are both aware that in the past boys had been much preferred to girls in Indian culture but are shocked that a modern doctor would be so nonchalantly suggesting an abortion on the basis of the baby's sex, which is against the law in modern India. They refuse, of course, but are deeply disturbed.
A short time later, tragedy strikes the Tilak family. Nikhil is found dead at the family business. It looks as if he was robbed and stabbed while he was in the process of closing for the evening. He was the only son in his family and his parents' grief is overwhelming. They start to take their anger out on Isha and her small daughter. They say the baby girl she is carrying is a curse on the family and was the cause of her father's death. They make it obvious that they think she should have had the abortion. Isha finds that she cannot continue to live with them and subject her child to their animosity. Despite the fact that she has nowhere to go, no status as a widow and no way to earn any money, she takes her daughter and leaves.
Thus begins Isha's journey to finding herself, finding out what really happened to her husband, and creating a future for herself and her two beautiful daughters. She surprises herself with her own strength and ability to adapt and grow despite the challenges that she encounters.
I really liked this book. The characters felt real, were interesting and well written and the story was engaging. Though the idea of using abortion as a means of sex selection is disturbing, I think the author right to bring it to light in this way. I look forward to reading future books by Shobhan Bantwal.
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
From S. Krishna's Books, October 31, 2008
Isha Tilak is distraught. Her beloved husband, Nikhil, has been murdered under suspicious circumstances, and she is heavily pregnant with their second child. To make matters even worse, Nikhil's parents are pressuring her to abort her unborn baby - not because the child would be a burden, but because it is a girl. Isha has witnessed their mistreatment of her older daughter, Priya, and refuses to subject her second child to that harshness simply on the basis of her sex. When her in-laws' request for an abortion becomes a demand, Isha leaves their home and sets out on her own, not knowing where she can go or who she can turn to. All she knows is that she must protect her children, her beautiful daughters.
Shobhan Bantwal has a history of writing about controversial Indian subjects. Her first book, The Dowry Bride, was about bride-burnings in India; specifically, it was the story of a woman who wasn't producing children in a marriage and uncovered a plot by her mother-in-law to kill her so she wouldn't have to return the dowry (which she would have to do if there were a divorce). This second book is about female abortions and infanticide. These topics, while uncomfortable, do take place in India (female abortion much more so than bride burnings, if I am not mistaken), and it is important that people become aware of them. Bantwal writes her novels in a manner that is easy to digest and, while shocking, brings important issues to light. Her resolve to educate others is admirable.
The story of the novel, while a bit stilted in places, is sweet. We follow Isha's story and watch her develop from a pampered girl into a strong, independent woman. She is very human - guarded and careful, not quick to forgive others. Sometimes in stories of adversity, the protagonist is written as a superhuman, someone better than the rest of us. Isha isn't like that; she is very real and only does what she must do to protect herself and her children. The end of the story is a little crazy and unbelievable; one of the characters remarks that he feels like he is in a Bollywood movie. However, it is still an extremely worthwhile and enjoyable book.
Though the controversial subject of female infanticide doesn't receive much publicity in the United States, it is a real problem in India. It is now illegal in India for a doctor to discuss the sex of a child with its parents before birth, though as we see in The Forbidden Daughter, that doesn't prevent many doctors from doing it anyway. It is important to note that this isn't a general mindset - my parents, who are Indian, have two daughters and have always been more than thrilled to have us. While a reader shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that this is the mindset of all Indians, it is a serious and very heartbreaking problem.
The Forbidden Daughter is a wonderful story that defies genres. It is a daring book, bringing to light a problem that has been hidden just beneath the surface in India for quite some time. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in controversial issues, or anyone simply looking for an engaging story.
|
|
|
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Woman, September 25, 2008
The Dowry BrideWhen I started this book, I had no real idea of what women went through in India. It is the story of Isha and Nikhil Talik, they are expecting their second child and very happy. The go to their doctor for an ultrasound and it's revealed, it is another girl. Their first child Priya, was a girl, and treated as if she did not exist as Nikhil's sister had two boys and all the attention went to them. The doctor casually mentions that it can be taken care of, Isha and Nikhil are horrified at the suggestion and leave. His parents are very angry and want them to abort the child, both stand steadfast in their decision. Nikhil is murdered and the in-laws blame Isha and the unborn child. They both suffer at the hands of her in-laws. She does the best she can and having grown up in a traditional Indian family, she respects them and does her best each day, until one day, something happens and she knows she can no longer stay there, so she packs and with Priya leaves. Isha goes through many trials and tribulations but does not let it stop her, though many times her heart is heavy but she keeps doing what must be done to survive. Her courage is amazing, she is living a life that is unfamiliar and alien as to how she grew up.
I read The Forbidden Daughter in one sitting, it was that good and I just had to know how Isha's life turned out. Her story is a journey of love, loss and determination in a world where she has no status or money and is sure to touch your heart. This is a book all women should read and stand up for our sisters in other countries. The murdering of innocent children, just because they are girls, is horrible. Shobhan Bantwal tells the story very well, her characters are believable and real and you immediately feel kinship with Isha and wish you could jump into the book to help her. It is because of authors like Shobhan Bantwal, the story comes out and now that it is out, we should try and figure out, what we as women, can do to change things. My eyes have been opened and can never be closed again. I also ordered her first book, The Dowry Bride, I loved this one so much, I ordered it without even looking to see what it is about. I can't recommend The Forbidden Daughter enough. It will move you and touch your heart. I am thrilled to have found this author and look forward to her future writings.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Monica Pradhan
by Anita Nair
by Anita Nair
by Roopa Farooki
by Bapsi Sidhwa
