February 2021 Book Summary
The Awakening is a daring portrayal of a woman named Edna who indulges in an extra marital affair. Set in New Orleans, this book entails the struggles of a woman caught between her own desires and the prevailing societal attitudes.
The Girl with the Louding Voice captures the plight of women in Nigeria and their battle against a patriarchal society. It tells the story of Adunni who is forced into a abusive marriage to a much older man with two wives and children. When she escapes her village, she lands up in Lagos as a domestic worker for a wealthy household. It chronicles her journey of finding her voice and standing up for her individuality.
No One Writes to the Colonel is a realistic portrayal of a retired Colonel and his wife on the brink of poverty. He is perennially waiting his pension letter which never arrives. The story is about how they thrive on optimism with some metaphorical depictions.
My Sister the Serial Killer is the story of a woman named Korede and her sister who is the serial killer. It takes you through the journey and life of Korede and the choices that she makes, revealing the complex dynamics of sibling relationship and the society that they live in.
On Earth we're briefly gorgeous is the semi autobiographical work of the author and a moving portrait of a family, their identity and survival. This is a letter written by the protagonist to his illiterate mother, narrating about the history, Vietnam war and traumatic issues. The poetic and lyrical style tugs your heartstrings.
The Bluest eye is one of Toni Morrison's finest works and explores the life of a girl who longs for blue eyes as she feels she will be considered beautiful. This complex and layered story delves into the struggles and idiosyncrasies of other characters, dealing with several themes like racism, poverty and incest.
Girl A is a book that explores psychological consequences of trauma on children and how it effects their lives. It tells the life of a girl who escaped the house of horrors and is forced to confront her ghosts of the past when she inherits the house after the death of her mother. An intense and a disturbing read.
Blanche on the Lam is the first book in the series and tells the story of an Afro-American woman who is a domestic worker. She escapes custody and finds employment in this wealthy gothic mansion where a couple of murders occur. She is forced to rely on her gossip grapevine to save her life. It deals with the theme of racism largely.
Island of Blue Dolphins is based on a true story which narrates the story of a tribal girl, left behind by a ship. It showcases her struggles while trying to survive on the island for 18 years. This beautiful depiction of resilience and courage transports you to another world where nature is a character in itself.
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