Title: Sita’s Curse
– The Language of Desire
Author: Sreemoyee Piu Kundu
Publisher: Hachette India
ISBN: 978-93-5009-780-9
Number of Pages: 332
Price [INR] : 350
Genre: Fiction
Somewhere, behind closed doors, in her solitary world; somewhere, under the sheets with an indifferent lover; Somewhere, is a woman who will not be denied.
Trapped for fifteen years in the stranglehold of a dead marriage and soulless household domesticity, the beautiful, full-bodied and passionate Meera Patel depends on her memories and her flights of fancy to soothe the aches that wrack her body; to quieten an unquenchable need. Until one cataclysmic day in Mumbai, when she finally breaks free…
Bold, brazen and defiant, Sita’s Curse looks at the hypocrisy of Indian society and tells the compelling story of a middle-class Indian housewife’s urgent need for love, respect, acceptance and sexual fulfilment
I was intrigued by the blurb of the book. I sat down, started reading, and didn’t stop until it was over. I couldn’t stop. Yes, it was a compelling read, no doubt about that. And when I sat after having read the last page, the last line of this book, I was left reeling from the thoughts and emotions experienced by Meera, as she discovers who she truly is.
Sita’s Curse is an intense story of Meera Patel, a lower middle class housewife living in the suburbs of Mumbai, in a house with a window in the whole chawl!! It’s a story of her transformation from a small town girl married off to a man who lets her stay at her parents’ home even after a year of marriage. And when he does take her, it is to trap her in a loveless, sexually abusive and dull marriage.
The book is divided in 2 parts and the part 1 deals with her relationship with her twin brother who is her soul mate in every aspect. When she turns 13, she becomes aware of her body, her desires and needs. Part 2 deals with Meera’s life post marriage where she discovers herself as a woman with sexual desires and emotional needs.
Sita’s Curse explores a woman’s desire for love, acceptance and sexual gratification which is still a taboo in our country, the land of Khajuraho and Kamasutra! The book has a lot of graphic sex scenes but the idea is not to titillate. To me, it represents the empowerment for women, the recognition of women and their sexual desires and cravings.
Sita’s Curse is a mature and well developed story line with a plot and characterizations that are very realistic. The sub plot of Amarkant Maharaj who is worshipped by millions, especially women, has sex with women whose husbands are sterile with the blessings of their family elders is kind of shocking though we know that it does happen and is a leaf from the real life. The relationship between Mohan and Vrinda needed to be explored a bit more. I mean, I am curious to know how their relationship reached that level of comfort and familiarity. The sudden ‘disappearance’ of the lovable and friendly Kartik and Bansi who were also Meera’s well-wishers is a bit disheartening.
In all, Sita’s Curse definitely is impudent, offbeat and bold but definitely a must read
Rating : [usr 4.5 text=”false” size=20]
This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com
41 Responses
Great review. Hope I find some time to read the book. Thanks.
Thanks Jayanta! Do check it out!
Shilpa, I am so glad we were wHooligans together in the A to Z Challenge this year. I am learning about Indian culture, society and literature from you!
The feeling is mutual, LuAnn. I am glad to read and learn about such diverse authors and genres from you too 🙂 ♥
I think it’s a genre not explored much by Indian authors !
Yes, it is a feminist erotic novel and still a relatively unexplored genre in India!
Interesting title, your review makes me want to add this book to my to-read list Shilpa. It is strange how we worship goddesses and then ill treat women so blatantly.
It is definitely a must read! Yes, and sadly that’s so ironical!
Very interesting. I’ve been trying to get the book here and I hope I can get my hands on this book soon.
It is available on Amazon. So, you can buy it from there!! 🙂
This does seem to be a fascinating book, Shilpa. I’m watching the other reviews too and they’re all saying it’s great. Must get my hands on it – hopefully, for free! 😉
It is truly a good one! Read a book that moves you, after ages!!
It was available for review from Readers Cosmos and Blogadda… hope it is open to review still. 🙂
Wow! I’ve been reading too many good reviews about this book and I must say I am eager to lay my hands on this one. Great review Shilpa 🙂
You must check it out, am sure you will love it too, Bhavya 🙂
Your review compels me to put this book in my vacation ‘to do list’…
lovely… Shilpa!
Do check it out, Sheela 🙂
that was a rocking review…will surely pick up the book..
Thank you S! Looking forward to your feedback on this book. Happy reading 🙂
great review, I am half way through the book and right now, I agree with you completely. Cheers to the author for picking and handling such a sensitive issue so nicely 🙂
That’s nice. Looking forward to read your review. Yes, an offbeat and taboo topic but handled well! 🙂
I am currently reading this. Nice to read such wonderful things about it!
That’s cool! Hope you enjoy it too 🙂
I am very much intrigued by the subject of the story. It must be very powerful and bold. Loved reading your review. On my checklist. 🙂
I quite liked the way this taboo topic of woman’s sexuality is handled in this one. Go for it, Raj and do share your review 🙂
Reading it now !
I didnt want to read a review, but couldnt contain myself, so here I am 🙂
I too feel its quite a bold look at many things, through which women are put through. Let me finish and review the book !
I am waiting keenly for your review, Uma 🙂
Sounds interesting. So far have read only good reviews of this book. Will put it on my to read list though I don’t know if it will be available in NZ. Sometimes Amazon limits Indian authors to India.
Hope it is available at your end, Suzy 🙂
hmmmm .. not sure what to say.. seems to be good a book though.. will it do good in india , dont know
Bikram
Have come across, only positive reviews about the book, so far… so let’s wait and watch! But at least it did well in creating some waves about the taboo topic!
Sounds like a real page turner! Great review and I enjoyed watching the book trailer. That was the cherry on top! ♥
Thanks Kathy! Glad you liked it! ♥
That does sound like a bit of a shocker…if the author makes it work, though, that’s all that matters!
Agree, it is a bold theme, but it’s the one that needs to be explored and needs to be voiced out! 🙂
Yet another honest review after I read Sakshi. Shilpa! It’s a very interesting and beautiful review where you point out at the hypocrisy of our society on sex and conditions of woman. You’ve pointed so well and how we need to look beyond the sexual details to highlight on suffering of women, craving for desire, longing for love and to carve an identity. I am dying to read Sita’s Curse and its on my must read list.
Do read the blog interview of Kiran Manral on, http://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/book-review-the-in-eligible-bachelors/
Thanks Vishal. Hope you get to read this book soon! 🙂
There are a lot of contradictory reviews going out on this one… more positive but the negative ones are quite strong as well. I guess the best way to find out is to read it myself :).. Nicely reviewed Shilpa!
Yes, that’s the best way to find out. Do read it… am keen to read your review too!
I am reading many mixed reviews like Seeta said. Feeling a bit confused now.
I have read the reviews too, Rachna. Somehow this reminds me of the contrasting reviews for 50 Shades of Grey or even Twilight series… there are people who have loved these books and there are who have called them utter trash. All, I can say is… to each his own. 🙂
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