It's a wonderful pastime to do a little bit of browsing in a bookstore. And a feeling of pride starts to engulf you just a wee bit more if the author happens to be....err...yourself...;-}
Well, that is me with just a 'view' of the book. And now for some reviews by some of my lovely writer friends.
1.This is what Indu Ram,from Sulekha, feels about the book.
2. A review by a SVC Blogger Arun Bhatt, who also happens to be an extremely talented and upcoming writer.
3. Another review by Red Strawberry, the -oh-so-difficult-to-please- Iyengar chick from Sulekha. Coming from her, the review reads like a compliment...hehehe.
4. And this is what JuliaDutta, the xebecbooks gal, also from Sulekha, has to say.
5. A review by Nigar Nayak. She also happens to be my sister- but *phew*....again, a very hard- to- please- with- english- kind of sister, who keeps finding flaws with our grammar and our intonation and our accent and our pronunciation and our whathaveyou. It's quite natural as currently she is a faculty for soft skills in IMS, DISHA and PTU. Scroll down below to read her views.
When the past lives in the present......
At first glance, The Virgin Adulteress gives a superficial impression of fleshly temptations. The deceptive simplicity of the shadowy silhouetted figures, subtly displayed across the cover, would seem to most as sensuously provocative and enticing. And yet to a few, as downright unethical! We actually wait with bated breath, with an air of urgent expectancy for the sensationally obvious to spring up. But to our dismay and disillusionment, nothing of the sort occurs. The cover, beyond doubt, is blatantly delusive and misleading. So are the characters, relationships and situations.
Only later, as the story unfolds, do we uncover that things are not what they seem to be. They say every book has a unique message to convey. But this freshly created creation of a subtle, yet highly inventive intellect has much beyond to impart than just a seemingly unending supply of mind-blowing, yet impeccable words and expressions. The emphasis is very much on the emotive intricacies involving a series of fragile, miserable and pathetic relationships based on uncertainties, doubts and confusion. Further, it provides a revealing insight into the increasing complexities of the human psyche, which at times can turn completely violent, unsympathetic and insensitive.
The later part of the novel comes as a shocking revelation, with innumerable shades of meaning. Strangely enough, we are more open to misjudgements and misinterpretations and live for years in a perpetual state of intense hatred, anxiety and apprehension. And even worse, we choose to dwell under the shadow of jealousy, fear and contempt, hurting and offending without ever realising. It’s a shame that we persist in blaming others for whatever happens. Very often we are unwilling to listen, forming self- created assumptions and preconceived impressions that we are nearly always right.
Habitual spousal squabbles over trivial matters, make us neglect our offspring. And consciously or unconsciously, this tends to have a pernicious effect on them. The Virgin Adulteress virtually sets us thinking. At the completion of the novel, we realise there is so much to catch up on- like fulfilling the little needs of our little ones or caring and sparing a thought for those around us. Let this realisation creep over before long, lest we are left alone with feelings of remorse and guilt. Living with regrets makes absolutely no sense.
Nargis Natarajan is a budding novelist of a phenomenal artistic talent and her second book ‘The Virgin Adulteress’ is indeed a masterpiece of a painfully heartrending reality. Surely it WILL remain etched on every reader’s heart.
Sensitive issues are fleshed out with long-lasting depth, intensity and solidity. Overall, this is a truly educational novel- a potent brew of socio-religious issues, spiritual values, history, romance and tragedy. Gripping, spellbinding and refreshingly unusual- it keeps us in rapt attention from start to finish. It’s not over yet- there’s more to it really!