By Uma Sharma
(From New Delhi)
A Mother’s Goodbye is Kasturi Patra’s debut novel. Published by Half Baked Beans, the story pirouettes around three siblings – Avik, Mou and Ishaan – and their life after their single mother abandons them.
The book brings to life in its own evocative and charming way the challenges faced by the two teenager siblings while looking after their younger brother. The plot intertwines the personal lives of the two elder siblings – Avik and Mou.
While Avik is grappling with his feeling for his close friend, Mou is handling the attitude of her friends in these difficult times of her life. As they are surmounting daily struggles of dealing with their kid brother, they are also finding hope and love for each other.
The narration is lucid and vivid. The writing style is simple and emotive. The readers can feel a myriad of emotions while reading through the struggles of the siblings. The pertinent part of the book, however, is the abandonment by their mother.
The book gives an empowering insight on the role of women in our society. To approach a subject so controversial involving a mother abandoning her children is commendable.
The book also touches upon the subject of LGBT rights and the narration of their life is heart breaking.
This beautiful book is a must read for all.
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