GLASS BOTTOM BY SONALI PRASAD

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BOOK NAME: GLASS BOTTOM

AUTHOR NAME: SONALI PRASAD

GENRE: ECO-FICTION

PUBLISHER: PANMACMILLAN INDIA 

BOOK BUY LINK: https://amzn.in/d/gmBsOOz


BOOK COVER IMAGE



BOOK REVIEW

Glass Bottom is a book that tries to portray eco-fiction through the lives of the women in its story in parallel. The fates of four women living on a coastal land are changed the day a dead whale washes ashore. Luni, Himmo, Gul and Arth have unique personalities and are exploring lives from their point of view. However, what changes in the environment also changes their lives, unfolding in this 200-page book.


I would be lying if I said the book is as breezy and straightforward as it sounds. Because clearly, I read 100% of the book and only understood 30% of it. While I could comprehend that the mother-daughter duos - Luni and Himmo, Gul and Arth - are the centre of the story and their lives are intertwined with that of nature, I couldn't see what really changed in their lives all of a sudden. 


If anything, the narration was so convoluted and haphazard, and I couldn't see where it was all going. While it sounded lyrical and philosophical, it did not make sense to me. When I finally felt I could make something out of the narrative, it looped backwards again and slipped above my head. Or maybe I am not intellectual enough to understand this book, and it's made for someone who can really figure out complex narratives.


I was at least enjoying Himmo's part initially and realised the turmoil she was going through. But the rest was all a blur. And then the part where Arth and her ghost mother Gul have some kind of fantasised relationship is where I lost it all. I understand that writers feel the need to write poignantly / lyrically / complexly. However, how complex is too complex is a serious matter of concern. I would always prefer a book that speaks to me in the simplest language, which is relatable, rather than such narratives where the whole point gets missed because of the stress on complexity. But if you want to experiment in your reading or challenge your intellect, you should try this one. 



MY REVIEW: 3/5

This is a part of Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel

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