An amazing, funny, and sobering story of a socially outcast widow in a small Indian village where the men have all the power, and the police are corrupt. Loosely based on the story of Phoolan Devi, a real Indian hero whose abused life embodied the spirit of feminine rebellion in areas of India where patriarchy still rules, the caste system is followed, and women are treated as property. The village could have been a microcosm of peace as Hindus, Muslims and Dalits live side by side, but instead, "otherness' is created because of ancient patriarchy, rules, prejudices, suspicion and hate. It's on one level a story that can make one angry about the place women and lower casts are kept in were it not for the humor, sarcasm and grit sprinkled through the story. It was wonderful, and well written. An astounding debut. I hope Ms. Shroff writes another one!
My book, Redeemed, A Memoir of a Stolen Childhood will be published June 25, 2024.
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