Well, its typical Anita Nair book and i have just read ladies coupe apart from this, but still i feel most of her books would be like this. Its a good book, very true to life... So true that it can be very depressing. Its the story of Radha, Shyam, Chris and Koman. Its set in the backdrop of kerala and uses Kathakali as its basis. Each chapter begins with a beautiful explanation of one of the navrasaas and she provides an analogy from nature for each of the nine expressions. The story in itself is very depressing (not cynical, just depressing!) and whatever hope emerges is when she writes about Kathakali. Like when she explains about 'Bhayaanakam' or Fear, she says all the other eight feelings can be pretended, but when it comes to fear, it always gives the person away.
Now that i have read quite a few indian authors, i must say that they tend to generally write very depressing stuff... not all but majority of them. In such cases these IIM, IIT ones bring in those light moments and i guess thats why they sell more that others :)
1 comment:
Anita Nair's MISTRESS is an outstanding novel depicting different emotions through the nine rasas. With Kathakali in the background we are reminded of the fact that art is enticing and it camouflages the truth that it is very close to our life and yet not near. It is an escape route and artists like Koman who perform because they have nothing to cling to. Real art is a misnomer for humans who consider them to have a palpable design. Artists entertain others at the cost of their own eternal damnation. That has been true in all ages.
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