This is a story of the idiocy of the human emotion. This is
a story of love, of an obsession, of harboring a grudge when instead a person
should be working on making happy memories. A grudge, that can destroy a person
and his loved ones. In the end, this is a story of families who will stand by
each other, especially through hard times.
The book traces the life of Sita. The narration runs back
and forth through time, between Sita’s childhood and the present days, to an
older and married Sita. Raised by a widowed father, Sita has a pleasant
childhood. Her aunt, Saras Athai showers her with motherly tenderness. But
Saras Athai’s older son Kunjan has other motives. He is obsessed in loving her.
And when Sita turns him down, Kunjan is deeply affected. Will he ever stop
loving Sita or will his obsession harm her and also hurt him in its wake……
The book is a debut work of Janaki Murali, a special
correspondent with the Business Line, the financial daily from the Hindu group.
Her experience as a writer, albeit of a different kind, shows in her style of
narration which is bang on. The transition between the two time periods is
smooth. The book also offers a glimpse into the South Indian culture and Indian
history post-independence. Definitely a
good read.
