What do You think about A Married Woman (2003)?
It's a nice book dealing with controversial issues in a very sensitive manner & exploring the hidden power play between a married couple in the Indian context. I had a major issue with the plot though... One does not suddenly realize that they are bi- sexual or attracted to the same sex... The book no where explores with the protagonist's history of this realization ( The protagonist is a married woman here). Same sex attraction does not develop because of lack of affection at your home front. Otherwise, it's a lovely book. I quite liked the way Babri Masjid issue has been explored and portrayed in the book.
—Pragya
I wanted to read this after having thoroughly enjoyed Kapu'rs latest, The Immigrant--a better, far superior novel. Still, I enjoyed A Married Woman, the story of what Kapur transmits as a tyical Indian 'middle class' (is there truly such a thing in India?!) woman, educated at the same Miranda House all-female college where Kapur herself was educated and has taught for years, from less than stellar circumstances: basically, an only child with apparently clueless parents whose need to marry her off well are continually met with a naive sort of resistance from her and their own clueless ineptitude. In this regard, the protagonist quite closely resembles the one in The Immigrant (though here she was more tightly drawn, and comes off as far more convincing). The action takes place during the 1970s, a time of change and turmoil in India, and Kapur attempts, not always successfully, to juxtapose these transformations with those within the protagonist herself--a woman who seems highly sexual from the set go--odd within these middle-class constraints?--but whose desires are thwarted both by the few young men she encounters and her own situation. Then she is finally 'set up' with a man determined to marry her, a man in a better position than her own, and marry they do: also, they seem to be sexually compatible, which, from the looks of it, would seem a good bet in these circumstances, considering that these kinds of women have virtually no options to learn, experience or choose, and that they're taught nothing. Her husband seems quite fond of her and although, as they years pass and children arrive, he becomes more and more submerged in his new business ventures, I still wasn't convinced that any of it was a true basis for her discontent, or her sudden lesbian awakening. Thus, for me, the love relationship with the other woman was the least interesting or authentic aspect of the book.
—Maia
It super one..The Books deals with various aspects of woman's Life related to Love Relations.The central character of Book is Astha.It protray's Astha's relationship with each male love interest at very stage life.she lives the as per wish of her parents n husband lifestyle.she is very content in her marriage.over a period she feels neglected by her husband.It also beautifully captures the issue related babri masjid.Aijaz character's introduces her to this issued n secularism.untimely death of aijaz turns her upside down .After longtime she moves towards her original passion sketching n painting.In manch's event she meets aijaz wife pipeelika.Astha falls in love with pipeelika, they shared intimate love affair.But striking the balance as married woman responsibilities n lover ,sometime she failed which lead to separation.Author has beautifully woven the political n social n religious upheaval.The language is simple n interesting one.Love making scenes are amazing woven.It Fantastic book to read
—Amruta Joshi
