THE BRIDE BY HARIMOHAN JHA - TRANSLATION OF THE MAITHILI CLASSIC KANYADAN BY LALIT KUMAR

-

BOOK NAME: THE BRIDE

AUTHOR NAME: HARIMOHAN JHA TRANSLATED FROM THE MAITHILI BY LALIT KUMAR

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION 

PUBLISHER: HARPERCOLLINS INDIA





BOOK REVIEW

Honestly, it was a chore finding a book translated from the Maithili language because there were hardly any books available in English for me to choose from. But when I found this one, I knew it had to be good. But little did I expect this book to turn out so great because how good can a book written in the 1930s be? Right?

 

That is where I was completely wrong. For judging it based on its timeline. But here’s how the book excels. Buchia is a naive 13-year-old who her parents are trying to sell her hard in the marriage market (literally). When they find a groom who is well educated and settled, they find a way to get them both married. But little did C.C. Mishra know that he was deceived into marrying a child bride who didn’t match his expectations at all. And then begins the story and kind of ends there as well.

 

For a book that’s almost a 100-year-old, I am really surprised how much it spoke about the problems of child marriage, depriving women of education and opportunities and making them ready for marriage as if that’s the only mission they are born with. It is also kind of sad that this book is relevant even today because the scenario hasn’t changed much even after 100 years. Now, this is a book that thoroughly impressed me with its language and theme, and you shouldn’t miss it. I have read disappointing reviews by readers who read the original because they feel the translation hasn’t been done with such sincerity. But for me, this fared very well. So, go for it. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a quick read as well.


This is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z2026 challenge

#penbooksandscalpel

Comments

  1. deepti menonApril 7, 2026 at 4:28 AM

    I agree with your viewpoint that the scenario has not changed even after a century. The problems of child marriage and the lack of opportunities for women is still a grave issue for women in certain parts of our country.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE LOVE LANGUAGE - A SHORT STORY

-
Image
“Come again, Nani. What did you just say?” I asked my Nani, who had already repeated it for us thrice. “That your Mumma has left for laapis already,” she repeated confidently, making me and my cousin roll on the floor, laughing.  “What’s a laapis, Nani? It’s called o-f-f-i-c-e.” My cousin corrected her while I was still holding onto my stomach to stop it from hurting from laughing so much.  “Yes, yes. Same thing.” She said unperturbed. She was definitely amused at how her grandkids were laughing their hearts out. My innocent Nani didn’t mind being the center of the joke at all. And for two twelve-year-brats, intimidating someone her age didn’t feel like an offence at all.  “And…and what’s the place called where you go when you fall sick?” I wanted to show my cousin that there’s more. “Opithal?” She asked, and another uproar of laughter reverberated in the air. “Opithal? Nani, that’s h-o-s-p-i-t-a-l.” I spoke between bouts of laughter.  “Yes, yes. Opitha...
Read more

WHY MALE VICTIMHOOD SELLS?

-
Image
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding a recent Tamil movie for its diabolical portrayal of the female protagonist. In the film, the female lead falls in love with the male protagonist and proposes to him who dismisses her initially. But when he falls back in love with her 6 months later, she is already with someone else who soon gets pregnant with his child but is now forced to marry the male protagonist owing to circumstances. The hero is well aware of her situation and still proceeds to “fake marry” her so that he can unite the lovers silently later while sacrificing his love. And then, he is heartbroken. At the end, the heroine lives a life she always needed but at the cost of his. Now do you see where all the problems started? Don't you?    The movie could have silently portrayed the struggles of both protagonists as they navigate life through this complex situation. It would have been widely accepted and also would have served as a solution for the modern-day problems....
Read more

THE LETTERS THAT SHAPED MY LIFE

-
Image
As someone born in the 90s, something I truly miss doing in this bustling world is writing a letter to a loved one. The ease of sending a WhatsApp message, an Instagram DM, or an email has brought down the joy of writing on a piece of paper, sealing it carefully inside an envelope, and securing it with glue or tape. We took pleasure in walking to the post office, affixing a stamp before posting it and waiting anxiously until we knew the mail had reached the recipient. Modern times have certainly reduced the waiting time and the efforts involved, but the joy of the process is lost with time. The future generations might never know that feeling. THE BEGINNING The first letter I ever wrote was to my maternal grandfather. As a well-read man with a love for books and writing, his shelves were always brimming with personal and professional postcards and letters. We would often watch him unwrap the letters one by one, carefully stacking them in order. Whenever the table was left empty, we wou...
Read more