Rating: 4/5
Gender Discrimination exists, rooted into the very existence of our society. The skewed gender ratio of India is no coincidence. It should come as no surprise to us that sex-selective abortion is something that still happens, in rural as well as urban corners of our country. Due to this, the Government of India has declared pre-natal sex determination a crime. Still, it takes place, in hidden corners, and becomes the determinant of life and death.
A Life of My Own is a book that dwells into this topic, among numerous others. The most brutal truths about Gender Discrimination in the Indian society is put up for display in this book. Shweta, who is expecting a child after years of trying, finds out her yet-to-be-born child is a girl. When her husband and the family refuses to accept the child and force her to an abortion, she is forced to make a choice - save her marriage, or save her child?
Meanwhile, an interesting narrative goes on – the child, able to hear and see everything, has a conversation with God, who explains the intricacies of everything that goes around them.
The thing I appreciate the most about the book is the honesty with which the entire plot works. There is no cushioning of facts, there is no hiding behind veils, it is a true and honest image. While talking about sex selective abortions, that too from different perspectives, the book touches on various other topics that revolve around gender discrimination.
The protagonist, Shweta, is someone who completed her studies, got married, and never thought of a career or a job. This goes to show the ingrained mentality which considers a woman’s career or job as an option rather than a part of her existence. Her marriage is somewhat abuse, and first she accepts it as it is, and when she is trying to let it go, there are numerous people trying to push her back into it.
The plot is amazing. I loved the pacing and the chronology. It felt very real and inspired. It ended complete, with a fancy bow at the end. I especially liked how every other element was downsized so as to not abandon the main agenda of the book, and that agenda was carried on till the end.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous and fits into the theme of the book. The writing still felt out of touch in some places, but over-all it binds the book well. I felt the foetus-God conversations were a good idea and more could’ve been added there for substance.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster ride. It kept me hooked to the plot and kept me hoping till the very end. It made my blood boil, it made me cry, and it also made me smile.
Reviewed by Muskan Rajani
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