Pyre By Perumal Murugan
Pyre- translated from Perumal Murugan’s original Tamil novel Pookkuzhi is a heart wrenching love story of Kumaresan and Saroja in a remote village called Kattuppatti. After a hasty wedding, Saroja and Kumaresan who belong to different castes, decide to head home, hoping to live a marital life of bliss. Kumaresan, though, is careful not to mention his newly wed wife’s caste to his people.
However, the people of Kattuppatti aren’t convinced with his story. Soon the two are caught in a tangle of caste and creed. Having irked the villagers for marrying outside the village, Kumaresan and Saroja become victims of their wrath that leads to the entire village taking it upon their hands to punish the two. Amidst caste hierarchy, social belief, hatred and cruelty, Perumal Murugan etches a plot that will hit you hard and leave you numb.
He paints a vision of intolerance in the readers mind and when Kumaresan asks his mother, “Is it a crime to marry the girl I love?”; the words pierce you hard within. The scorching sun on the fields, the arid farming land, the tongues that wag and torment, the hatred of Marayi- Kumaresan’s mother- Perumal Murugan’s narrative evokes every sensation to draw you into the book.
The borders of caste are creed is strictly defined in a country such as India and crossing across is a forbidden act, costing one their life. It is this ugly side of society that is brilliantly depicted in the book. It may seem limited in its use of words, yet the book can hit you hard.
Pyre is a haunting tale of love and societal prejudice.
The book is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format.
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9 Comments
the bespectacled mother
There is no dearth of such stories in the Indian landscape, real and litereary. Caste. colour, creed, religion, regionalism, there is no end to issues. The book does sound haunting. The story is high on familiarity.
Soumya Prasad
I have been wanting to read this author for a while now, and I think I’ll start with this one.
The story does sound hard-hitting. Also, I love the image you have taken above. I wanted to message you and let you know, but got caught up with work and lost track of time.
Shilpa Garg
I have to read a book that’s a translation for my book reading challenge. Will pick this one. Thanks for your recommendation.
Ramya Abhinand
Shilpa… this is a brilliant translation. I would say one of the best I have read so far. Do pick this up
Obsessivemom
Sounds like a haunting read. However I don’t think I have the stomach for something like this at this point. For now, this goes on my TBR list.
dpranita583
Nice review, can u write review for my book ”QUOTATIONS & STORIES”
writershilpa
So many stories come out of this issue, isn’t it? Honour killing is common in our country where caste rules everything. Sad and frustrating, too!
Will surely look for this book, Ramya.
Liked that header image. 🙂
Vinay Leo R.
I am glad you loved this book. I found it haunting and poignant too. One of the better translation I’ve come across I think 🙂
Ramya Abhinand
Absolutely Vinay… It gives you that punch in such a subtle way,