Exciting new book: The Rose and the Thorn



Exciting new book

being launched at  https://avidreader.com.au/events/indrani-ganguly-the-rose-and-the-thorn  
Review from Mrs Archana Singh, Hon Consul of India
It has been a riveting read and I could not help but feel totally swept away by the helter skelter of events in the personal lives of Mukti and Lila, the identical twins; as well as by the currents of historical and social change in India.

'Roses are like life- they sweeten the air and our lives but they could not survive without the thorns to protect them'. I think this statement epitomises the relationship shared by the two sisters who are catapulted into an unknown world outside their protected and domesticated environment.

What really inspired and resonated with me in the book was the role of “ordinary women” highlighted by the author in helping to shape India's modern day destiny as well as the social transformation that has come about as a result of their efforts- be it in the form of challenging oppressive norms and customs at home such as Mukti's longing for political and social action, Lila's publishing of her poems in the Chandpur Barta, Shanti's protection of her sister in law Molly from the oppression of a mother in law, or liberation from the tyranny of the colonial masters, in simple things like spinning the wheel and helping with the Svavalambi shops that only sold things made in India. 

References to Goddess Durga, and political and social women leaders such as Laxmi Bai, Meera Bai, Sarojini Naidu are an amazing celebration of India's women.  As Sarojini Naidu said and as quoted in the book-

“….when your hour strikes, when you need torch bearers in the 
darkness to lead you, when you need standard bearers to uphold your 
 banner and when you die for want of faith, the womanhood of India 
will be with you as the holders of your banner, and the sustainers of 
your strength..”

We are lucky to have a writer and thinker of Dr Ganguly's calibre in Brisbane, one who is equally at ease in India as she is in Australia.  Her breadth of vision, her understanding of what is good and desirable and of what is not so desirable in both cultures, her social conscience and her call to action to each and every one is apparent through the wonderful characters she has portrayed and brought to life in the book.

 From Trudy Graham, Queensland author: A great and satisfying read, this is a book you simply,must read this year.

Comments

  1. Indrani GangulyMarch 25, 2019 at 5:37 PM

    And here's the first few pages
    https://www.book2look.com/book/cNyQZS41uT

    ReplyDelete

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