Accounts of the trauma caused by India’s partition, the challenges of being a disposed widow, an intimate memoir… Our range of recommendations are sure to keep you occupied this month.
Open Book: Not Quite A Memoir by Kubbra Sait
Quite an open book herself, actor and host Kubbra Sait has forayed into writing with her intimate read, which she dubs ‘not quite a memoir’. A refreshing take on battling odds since childhood and living with social anxiety, the once “bullied kid” has written on her story thus far without a filter — as a global influencer with life lessons well-learned. “Writing this book was cathartic. It made me smile, it brought a lump to my throat, but above all, I made a cross-over. The past is behind me. The present is a new book to pen,” she said.
A Place Called Home by Preeti Shenoy
In a moving, relevant narrative, award-winning novelist Preeti Shenoy’s A Place Called Home follows a heady trial of relationships and revelations. A good life may be thrown off-kilter when the past comes knocking, as was the case with Alka, our protagonist with a dark, downtrodden past that could turn her idyllic world upside-down. Written in fluid tones, Shenoy weaves a heart-warming fictional tale that sheds light on the class system that continues to rampantly ravage modern India.
Chronicles of the Lost Daughters by Debarati Mukhopadhyay
Can there be hope for a young, dispossessed widow who’s entangled in a web of discord? Discover the strange life of Bhubonmoni, a young indentured labourer with a past as miserable as her present, in this page-turner with unexpected twists and turns. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Bengal, Debarati Mukhopadhyay evokes mixed emotions with this relevant read, translated by Arunava Sinha, on plaguing social issues, such as child marriages, exploitation of the poor, and the tribulations of being a helpless woman in an inherently man’s world.
Scars of 1947 by Rajeev Shukla
As India gears up to celebrate 75 years of freedom, Scars of 1947 by Rajeev Shukla takes us back in time to an unforgettable period that left two nations scarred. It’s a moving, nostalgic account of people who went through immense suffering and hardship but managed to overcome the trauma with time. The book has already garnered rave reviews from eminent personalities like actor Shah Rukh Khan, who said, “The book underscores the need for and importance of peace and love in the world we live in.”
This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in HELLO! India’s July 2022 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!