"Revenge - a fable" by Taslima Nasreen. This book is published by The Feminist Press in 2010 and has 176 pages.
This book is translation of her bangla book 'Shodh'. It is translated by Honor Moor with Taslima Nasreen.
Jhumur (what a beautiful name!) is an educated and beautiful young lady in love with Haroon. Haroon is young & handsome entrepreneur. He is fond of music, likes flowers, finds time for Jhumur whenever she wants and courts her till she agrees to marriage.
The moment she becomes wife and daughter in law, he changes. Now he expects her not to contact her friends or relatives, not go to her mother often, cover her head, not go out alone, take care of his family and home. He doesn't take her out or bring her flowers. From a vivacious young graduate Jhumur becomes a docile cow with a status of a glorified servant who has lost all her independence.
Six weeks into marriage, Jhumur becomes pregnant. And the world changes for her. Haroon becomes suspicious and says it is not possible to get pregnant in six weeks. So he forces her to abort. Jhumu's pleas that it is his child and he should not kill it fall on deaf ears.
Jhumur can not forget this murder of her child and decides to take revenge. What can she do? What does she do? How does she take revenge? Does she leave her husband? How does the story end?
Although the story is set in Dhaka (Bangladesh), the same could happen in any of the south Asian country where tradition runs strong.
It's a sea change for Jhumur after marriage but author has failed to provide adequate explanation or justification as to why Jhumur gives in meekly? Why she does not fight; being fearless and educated (She has a degree in physics)? She submits to her husband's dictates meekly and puts herself in vulnerable position. Of course had she fought then, the abortion and subsequent revenge would not be necessary. Taslima also does not provide explanation of second behavioral change of Haroon.
Taslima has written a good story. The delivery is simple and uncomplicated. The revenge she takes is unique. It is difficult to imagine this revenge. The revenge gives her the will and power to fight back. It's a bold revenge & difficult to digest for an orthodox society. Bangladeshi culture and tradition is picturized very well by author.
A good book. Recommend reading.
