Publisher: FingerPrint
ISBN: 9788172345211
Pages: 369
Price: INR 250
“This is an important book. It raises issues of women, society and family in modern India.” – Cherie Blair
Ratna Vira‘s book, ‘Daughter by Court Order’ has a plot like one never seen before. It questions the one bond that is assumed to be the strongest and unbreakable: between mother and daughter. The author’s debut book runs to whole 369 pages. At keeps you hooked, but at some points the length can seem unappealing.
Aranya discovers that her family has been fighting in court for over a decade regarding the ancestral property and has very conveniently left her out of it. Forget not informing her, they have kept her very existence a secret from the courts. This is courtesy Aranya’s mother, Kamini, who from Aranya’s childhood has despised her and tried her best to bring Aranya down. Kamini has had nothing but hate in her heart for Aranya and her in-laws, from whom she has time and again tried to snatch away ancestral jewellery, wealth and property. A powerful woman, who will stop at no bounds to get what she wants, she has abused and harassed Aranya all her life. And now, Aranya is determined to take what is rightfully hers.
The book starts off being slightly vague and takes a little time to get comfortable with the story and the premise. In the beginning, it feels like the readers are stumbling in the dark and trying to find the context of the story. But once it all settles down, the plot moves fast and keeps alternating between the past and present. The characters are well-etched out and have each a specific role to play. They are colourful and fun and though Kamini is the villain, you can’t help but enjoy her antics.
The length of the book is a little tedious at points, as it seems monotonous and repetitive. The book could have been crisper. Perhaps, a little more insight on Aranya’s father would have also been welcome, as he was the most intriguing character in the book.
All in all, the book has a novel premise and for that itself, I would suggest it be read.
Rating: 7/10
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