Soft Animal

by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan

March 2020: Thirty-six-year-old Mallika Rao is largely insulated from the struggles of the millions fighting for their existence all over India. Instead, her Delhi flat and her husband threaten to imprison her as she searches for the confidence that has always eluded her. A rescue dog in her care provides more fulfilment than her husband, who is consumed by work and self-obsession, and she must also confront the universal challenges of having a woman's body.

Soft Animal unfolds in urgent present tense with illuminating flashbacks, whip-smart dialogue and conspiratorial footnotes. Bringing the deftness of deadpan humour and the precision of meticulous social observation to the self-delusions of India's privileged urban middle class, Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan's latest channels an uncomfortably-and sometimes heartbreakingly-intimate experience of millennial marriage that is seldom portrayed but all too real.

Genres: Contemporary, India

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2023

Reviews

[Aakanksha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great premise. Realising that one doesn’t love their husband the day a nationwide lockdown begins is an excellent premise, I was looking forward to the tension building and progression of the characters. I was also looking forward to the theme of the body as a soft animal, to care for it as it needs. At the end, I was hoping that this would be an accessible, relatable piece of feminist writing.

Unfortunately, I found the protagonist pretty unlikeable. In a situation that is so easy to connect with, I was unable to connect with her. For a person with so many lengthy, similie-heavy monologues, I frlt that she isn’t too good at communicating. Ultimately, a lot is said in the book but really, nothing is said. I didn’t notice any character development, I didn’t see her truly exploring the themes that the story would be about.

It felt like a never ending rant, and really a missed opportunity for me.

[Ekta Talwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be doing most of the cooking and housework since Mukund will be working, and that makes me a little resentful, even though it seems fair. One person makes the money, the other person manages the house. Like his parents. And my parents when my sister and I were younger. And my grandparents. And on and on and on, but I never thought it would happen to me. I am young, well, young-ish. I am a modern-day woman. I own my own laptop, and I have my own bank account, even though it's a little empty at the moment. Besides, I think if the situation were reversed, if I was earning and he was unemployed, I'd still help out around the house. I'd still cook when I could. I think of myself as a feminist, but sometimes against my own will, I can feel myself slipping into a gender role..."

An amazing book talks about everything we are going through from millennial marriages to gender norms, from pandemic to loneliness. It shows us the reality of our lives. You wouldn't regret picking up this book.

[Poulami · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is probably my mistake to imagine this would be literary fiction in the lines of Otessa Mosfegh or Halle Butler but what it is, is chick lit. I found it terribly dull and boring. There's no plot as such, just one millennial woman's mid life crisis unfolding during the COVID pandemic. Basically she doesn't want to stay married to her husband anymore and the whole book is about her "finding herself" in order to leave the aforementioned husband. There are just uninteresting back stories about the protagonist's life which are really the life experiences of any average Indian woman of that age. I found the protagonist intensely unlikeable and kept hoping something would happen to at least drive the plot along but the author could find nothing more dramatic than an accidental pregnancy and some newfound attachment to a dog as character development. A complete waste of time.

[Ipsita · Rating 2 out of 5]

“ I realized yesterday that I don’t like my husband any more.”

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan's "Soft Animal" offers an intimate and universal exploration of millennial marriage. Set in the tumultuous year of 2020, the story revolves around Mallika Rao, a thirty-six-year-old woman grappling with the expectations placed upon her by her husband, her body, and society. With razor-sharp wit and unflinching honesty, Madhavan dissects the complexities of relationships in a way that feels both captivating and relatable.

From the moment Mallika confesses, "I realized yesterday that I don't like my husband anymore," readers are thrust into a journey that promises introspection and revelation. Yet, while the premise holds immense promise, the execution falls short of expectations. The book yearns to capture the same disquieting atmosphere found in Ottessa Moshfegh's "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," but ultimately misses the mark.

One notable element that sets "Soft Animal" apart is the use of footnotes—an unconventional feature in fiction. These glimpses into the author's mind add an intriguing layer to the narrative, evoking a sense of reading a cherished book with scribbled thoughts in the margins. It's a creative touch that invites readers to delve deeper into Mallika's world.

However, the book falters in its predictability. As the story progresses, the plot becomes increasingly foreseeable, diminishing the element of surprise. By the halfway point, it feels as though the path ahead has been laid bare, leaving little room for unexpected twists. This predictability is a disappointment, particularly when juxtaposed with the author's skillful portrayal of a woman's mid-life crisis and the added buoyancy brought by the COVID-19 backdrop.

Nevertheless, Madhavan's writing style shines through, offering keen insights into contemporary relationships and the challenges faced by women. Her portrayal of societal expectations and self-delusions is both incisive and honest.

"Soft Animal" serves as a reminder of the uncomfortable truths that underlie the lives of the privileged. With its contemplative tone and yearning for more, the novel offers a glimpse into the intricacies of modern relationships and the quest for self-discovery.

While it may not achieve all it sets out to do, Madhavan's storytelling prowess and her fearless examination of societal norms make this book a worthwhile read.

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars



Soft Animal by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of modern marriage and the complexities of a woman's journey. Through the eyes of Mallika Rao, the author skillfully delves into the struggles, self-doubt, and yearnings that many individuals face in their lives. Madhavan's writing style, filled with whip-smart dialogue and illuminating flashbacks, pulls you into Mallika's world, making you feel like a confidant sitting across the table, privy to her deepest secrets.

The book offers a refreshing and intimate perspective on the challenges of marriage, as Mallika grapples with her own desires and the constraints of societal expectations. Madhavan's deftness in capturing the nuances of India's privileged urban middle class adds depth to the narrative, shedding light on the self-delusions that often plague individuals in such circumstances.

It's an unflinching and honest portrayal of a complex woman, and some readers may find the protagonist's flaws and insecurities off-putting. However, for those willing to delve into the depths of Mallika's psyche, Soft Animal offers an authentic and relatable exploration of the challenges faced by many individuals in the modern world.

In conclusion, Soft Animal is an immersive and evocative read that takes you on a journey through the intricacies of marriage, self-realization, and societal expectations. Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a compelling addition to the contemporary literary landscape

[Urvashi Das · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my god !!
Rant Rant and more rant.
It felt like i just bought someone's Diary for 300 bucks to read all about her mid life cricis (which we all go through at some point) and her not wanting to live with her husband anymore.
No plot.
No Storyline.
Just the author putting her frustration on paper and selling it.

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

An average read with a few laughs here and there.

Soft animal begins with some witty and clever writing but ends up being a drag; a never ending rant.

[Ramya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I think of the pandemic as our generation’s world war - the event that defines our lives, that marks our lives as before and after (the pandemic) and changes the way we think and love and live. I thought that post-pandemic, we’d see a glut of “pandemic novels” but strangely enough, I’ve come across none. It’s as if the authoring world has collectively decided to forget about the pandemic and move on; or maybe they just didn’t know how to deal with this massive thing that was still happening in our lives and decided that the easiest thing would be to ignore it; or maybe we all need some distance from the event to write and read about it.

All this to say that Soft Animal was the pandemic novel I was waiting for! And set in India with the central character being an urban woman in her mid/late 30s, so it would be especially relatable. I was excited to read it.

Mallika Rao, 36, is living in Delhi with her husband, and comes to the realisation that she no longer loves him, on the eve of the pandemic. She finds herself stuck in the marriage and in the house with a husband she no longer loves even as she navigates the turmoil and fear of the outside world.

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan writes about Mallika’s inner world beautifully! Maybe it’s because this is a character and life that is very close to her own (upper middle class Delhi woman in her 30s)? She truly captures the sense of feeling trapped - both literally and figuratively. And Mallika’s rumination about love, marriage, gender roles…..it feels so relatable. I came across a review that said this felt like reading someone’s diary, but to me, that is this book’s strength.

I think where the book failed though is in showing character growth. Mallika is indecisive and passive and comes across as a bit whiny, but I’d have liked to see that change a little through the course of the book but that doesn’t really happen, and the ending feels a bit abrupt and not fully earned.

Also a minor quibble: the name of one of the characters changes over the course of the book - this is a pretty major error and I’m surprised it hasn’t been caught by the editors!

[Swetha Maladkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to write a lengthy review, but I just put the book down (err...kindle down) and I want to relive some moments, savor, because a delish novel was served. Loved it.

[Ameya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to Soft Animal not knowing what to expect, though I have known and loved Meenakshi for many years now. It's a difficult book to summarise, because it's the story of a woman, literally trapped in her house because of the pandemic, and figuratively trapped in a marriage she doesn't want anymore. But this just doesn't capture the trip I went on as I read it, as I sat with Mallika as she went on what can only be called a journey of self discovery. I felt like I had a ringside seat into the most secret levels of this woman's mind, the thoughts we often have but don't express even to our best girlfriends, the doubt we have and the stories we make up to reassure ourselves. I was really struck by the way Meenakshi laid bare the very shaky foundations of that marriage, something I see myself all the time, and something that somehow we never want to discuss as society, or lay out in our stories. As a single woman, the only things I see are incredible amazing marriages or traumatic marriages, there's no mention of the ones that leave so many women trapped because there is no space for them to say, no, I am not who I was at 27 when I met you, I want to be me, and there's no space for me to be me in this marriage because you need me to remain who I was when you met me, I have all the things I've been told I need for happiness, a husband who isn't abusive, a home, a "settled" life, then why am I so unhappy every day? And that is exactly what I saw in Mallika's marriage and her own journey to understanding that she needs to leave. I saw echoes of many conversations I've had with my women friends who are trying to allow themselves to accept their feelings of being unfulfilled, their exhaustion at having to teach their husbands to be self sufficient adults without "nagging" them, and of course the absence of any desire to be mothers. I'm so glad there is a book that carves out this space for Indian women.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft Animal by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is a brilliant book about a not-so-brilliant life led by Mallika Rao, our protagonist who gives insights into her millennial marriage and life before and during the COVID lockdown.

Mallika Rao, lives with her husband in Delhi. She is unemployed and lonely in her marriage and the pandemic adds to the existing loneliness and depression. Her story is that of a modern Indian woman who struggles to find her space and individuality in her relationships and life in general. Life as an urban middle class comes with its own set of challenges and expectations of adulting and settling in to be classified as “happy/successful/ settled” and Mallika has issues doing what is expected rather than doing what she prefers which the reader discovers over the pages of the book, written to relate in more ways than one.

Soft Animal isn’t a happy book or story but it’s a book that’s real and honest, demanding empathy and acceptance without asking for it but just letting the others know through the thoughts of this middle aged protagonist who wants to find herself and be true to herself again, keeping societal compulsions away.

Quick paced, smartly witty with footnotes that detail the plot by deftly satisfying curiosity this book is simply unputdownable.

Verdict: Definitely recommended!

[Anandarupa Chakrabarti · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Small Animal is like a conversation with mother. Like the discussion where we needed to share every detail from our end. Soft Animal is that simple and brilliant.
Soft Animals is normal and it is so normal that you'll be surprised by its normalcy.

'I don't think I've ever seen my mother disagree with my father,  and my father doesn't seem to think my mother has a mind of her own.  It's always we we we like he doesn't realize that she's a person,  not just a part of his we''
These lines felt so relatable for we always see our parents as an indisputable couple and only after children mature, can see how flawed relationships can be.

In Soft Animal, writing is a river of words forming ripples with every confession and confusion. With Mallika's story, with find a convincing and raw picturesque of marriage and relationship. Soft Animal is essentially a narration about individuality and warmth with the world outside and within.
It's about finding ourselves, and reading how life happened. We feel the familiar feeling of pasts, loneliness, friendship, and togetherness.
Soft Animal is about searching for our lost selves and how we ultimately reach our desired destination.

Soft Animal is a raw and wholesome reading with characters in whom we can find our vulnerable selves.

[Zeenath Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft Animal transported me to that weird time in 2020 when the pandemic hit. It is a humorous take on life during those troubled months through the eyes of a young married woman, Mallika Rao. Mallika isn't sure if she likes her husband, Mukund, much and resents being stuck with domestic chores. The book has many humorous moments, like Mallika not wanting to be seen in a towel while her husband is on a video call and saying the master bedroom doesn't literally mean it's the master's. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humour about life in a Delhi colony and the strange rules residents follow. At the height of lockdown, Mallika's neighbours walked in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction depending on the numbers of their houses. Mallika discovers she is pregnant and, for some inexplicable reason, hides her condition from her husband. Soft Animal is a light, humorous read fro anyone who feels like revisiting the Covid days.

[Diti Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's challenging to summarise this novel because it tells the tale of a woman who is both literally and symbolically stuck in her home due to the epidemic and in a marriage she no longer wants.
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An vivid and personal book that gives you the impression that the protagonist Mallika is sitting across from you at a table and confiding in you about the most private and sad aspects of her life.
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Soft Animal is an urgent and vital examination of contemporary marriage that is warm, vibrant, and bursting with emotion. The novel is given depth by Madhavan's skillful capture of the subtleties of India's privileged urban middle class, which also sheds light on the self-delusions that frequently plague people in such situations.
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[Maryann Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immersive and intimate book that makes you feel like you’re a close friend of the protagonist, Mallika, who is sitting across the table from you, cigarette dangling from her fingers, telling you about the most deep, and dark aspects of her life. Warm, alive and pulsating with emotion, Soft Animal is an urgent and necessary look at modern marriage. What an utter joy! Please read it.

[Shivani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love book that I can connect to. This is a book that is so relatable, one of the rare ones by a female Indian author. It spoke to me and it was so beautiful and such an easy read. Loved it while it lasted.