First thing I liked about this book of short stories is its name. 'Ningalenne Feminist Aaki.(You made me a Feminist)' Even thought it is giving an impression that the writer is a Feminist and the stories are going to be the kind, the name in itself was excellent. Interesting and inviting.
Secondly I liked the cover of the book. I purchased the second edition, I have no idea how the first edition cover looks like, but this one was excellent. A window look of a big black cloud about to hide the view but the lady in picture looks at the bright reflections on white clouds.I like it. Even though it belongs to the old generation it is attractive, intuitive and inviting and new gen don't have a reason to complain.
Then comes an appeal from the author, 'please don't call me as a'pravsi' and thereby insult me.don't brand this writing as'pravasi sahithyam'(implied) and give some award as'bhiksha'.but I am an unlucky ugly soul who didn't get a chance to live in Kerala. I am impressed. Not many writers are there from Canada and this intro gave a hope and more.
Next is a detailed introduction to the book by Mr Karunakaran, in which he analyse three stories from the book and the book in general. This introduction, though take away some curiosity factor while reading those stories created a high impression on the book.
So, we are set to start the book.are you ready? Here we go.
I purchased the book from Cochin Airport and start reading immediately on my travel. I didn't had any idea what to expect from the book, so the author and the book took me by surprise to the extent that many a time I could not hide my laugh and I can see fellow passengers spy on the book I read. What I am trying to say is that the first story introduced the best plus of the author, social satire. There are not many writers in Malayalam who can write genuine fun and hardly any when it comes to female writers. The first story, 'Decemberil'(In December), is told through a house wife's thoughts in the season Christmas celebration in Canadian Malayalee community. There is nothing novel in the story, but the writer brilliantly helps the readers to enter into the shoes of the character and the witty mind reading makes the reading an entertaining one. Then, I have to admit that the climax was a let down for me. I will give 6.5 stars to it.
Next come Kariveppu padippichathu(What Neem Tree Taught): Is a well penned story. I enjoyed reading each line of it. It was a pleasure to see the'Veppu' grow into a great symbol. The story also grows with it to reflect the state of mind of the protagonist at the same time it represent the dreams of'pravasi'. The author didn't spare a chance to mock society's funny behaviours and she hit them hard. I have this habit of underlining lines which I like and the story got nearly 40 percent underlines.each sentence seems weighed before writing. A very good one! Arguably one of the best in the collection, I will give 8
The third one, but didn't live to the standard of the first two. 'Kodukkunnathilere Edukkunnathu Kondu'(Because you Take more than what you give) is a story about the concern a mother share for her children going abroad and the ignorance of the ones who are been cared. The story didn't impress me, probably because I was too much impressed with the other stories. The sympathy shared was understandable but it didn't serve the goods. My rating: 4
Vendakkathoran(Lady's finger thoran): It shows the frustrations of an oppressed mind beautifully. The imbalance existing in family as part of the biased social set up is been criticised quite well. Sarcasm at its best, the story too gets its fine points from the narration than for the story itself. My score to the story: 7
Abu Graib: Here the writer reaches out to a higher level and addresses a larger cause and did it in style. I enjoyed reading this well written story, for its hard hitting one liners, the human cause, the narration etc. It is a kind of warning that what happened in Abu Graib can happen in your local street as well. Even though the story been dissected in the introduction, I enjoyed reading it. The story made the writer a Humanist, not a Feminist. My rating: 8.
Ningalenne Feminist Aakki(You made me a Feminist): I absolutely love this story. Even though it is the same frustration as in Vendakkathoran, and in Decemberil, then this story made it special. The climax(thoughtful fun) was the icing on the cake which gave the one extra point to make it as the leader in the group. My topper at 9.
Vithumbunna Vriksham(Wheeping tree): The same old story. Here however I like the symbolism used in it. It is an attempt to use nature, to represent human emotions. This kind of experiments is a proof of author's creativity. The writing however is little laid back, so my rating stands at 6.5
Manasasthranjanoru Kathu(A letter to psychologist): This is an easy fast writing but not reaching the average mark. The format as implied from the title, is a letter to a psychologist but the novelty ends there. It could have been avoided from the collection. 4.5.
Chila Theerumanangal(Some decisions): Good! The introduction spoiled the suspense to a great extend. So, my rating is based on its reading from the introduction. The attachment between the mother and the son is shown beautifully. My rating: 7
Nashtappeduvan(To lost): The introduction gave out the story here too. So, there had little suspense. A housewife goes the church to pray and solve her problems but the problems in church grow higher, ignoring the real mission of the church itself. I however felt it didn't reach to the subject's potential with the diversion to church issue, which shadowed the protagonist's issue. 6.
Overall, the collection is very good. Except two stories I mentioned before, I enjoyed reading rest of the stories. Even though there are repetition of subjects the excellent narration salvages the situation not only to just save but also to entertain the reader.
Few quotes from the book which like:
'When I don't have time to make up eyelids how I will write poem sir?'
'Isn't it better to be a rock which can break any thorn edges than becoming a leaf which will be torn by any thorns?'
'In this country it is more sinful to forget Christmas present than forgetting about Christ even.'
'A good daughter's duty is to carry the "wish bundle" of parents.'
'.figures which disappear when pressing the mouse is forming the ignorant. A little mouse is shaking this 53 year old man's confidence.'
"Sunitha often doubt, if in the matrimony advt. her father gave in paper, is it mentioned'grooms invited from gentleman who sit in sofa and watch TV and eat in time.'"
'Is it vulgar to read'ma'(Mills and Boons kind) books teacher?
'"Sunitha, didn't Asokh will identify your handwriting?" "Ha! Since it is not printed in books or not featured in TV, I don't think he will even identify my hand.'
My rating: 3.5 stars
