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Our Bones in Your Throat
A wild myth.
A lake amidst a forbidden forest.
A siren song.
When Esai arrives at St. Margaret’s imposing campus, amidst which lie the mysterious woods, she plunges headfirst into a world of power games, underground recitals, new enemies, and complicated relationships.
And then Esai is lured into the arms of something far more dangerous and exciting —a water spirit lurking in the foliage. She stumbles onto an ancient secret that threatens to dismantle the entire college to the bone.
Esai knows something the others don’t. She finds herself at the heart of the unrest brewing on campus, alongside Scheher. Scheher, once her only friend, now a formidable face of dissent. What happens when those you fought for once, turn against you?
Within the halls and thickets of St. Margaret’s, decisions must be made. Friends, foes, and lovers must learn to navigate the quiet truths of life, the fragility of friendships, and the aftermath of passion.
A lake amidst a forbidden forest.
A siren song.
When Esai arrives at St. Margaret’s imposing campus, amidst which lie the mysterious woods, she plunges headfirst into a world of power games, underground recitals, new enemies, and complicated relationships.
And then Esai is lured into the arms of something far more dangerous and exciting —a water spirit lurking in the foliage. She stumbles onto an ancient secret that threatens to dismantle the entire college to the bone.
Esai knows something the others don’t. She finds herself at the heart of the unrest brewing on campus, alongside Scheher. Scheher, once her only friend, now a formidable face of dissent. What happens when those you fought for once, turn against you?
Within the halls and thickets of St. Margaret’s, decisions must be made. Friends, foes, and lovers must learn to navigate the quiet truths of life, the fragility of friendships, and the aftermath of passion.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2024
5 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 25, 2024
We all grew up listening to stories of witches and huntresses. Often, these women have an eerie past, and their tales are used to discipline young girls. No wonder the male version of these mythical creatures never existed. But what if they weren’t witches or bloodthirsty enchantresses in the first place? What if they were all victims and were trying to fight their oppressors? Why the made-up narratives, then? Because how else would women stop resisting? But let’s agree that stories of fierce goddesses exist, too, reminding us that women don’t need to conform.
Esai and Scheherazade meet at St. Margaret’s and become friends because of their eccentricities. Scheher is an artist and a performer who turns her hurt and rage into words that inspire her college mates. But Esai is an adventurer delving deeper inside the secrets hidden behind the walls and the forbidden lake.
Once best friends, they are now forced to turn against each other as Scheher uses her words and voice to expose the scandals in her college. But for Esai, who is torn between Scheher and the college committee as the middleman, life turns unforgiving. Discovering Minaxi’s past, the witch who died in the forbidden lake, doesn’t do any better for her.
It was unlike anything I had read before, and I am still reeling from the unexpected ending. The book started with a promise and ended fulfilling it. A complete one-sitter, I found it moving extremely well-paced with a sense of suspense throughout. The book isn’t a thriller, and neither is it romance nor fantasy. But all these elements, in bits and pieces, worked together to bring out an absolute banger of a book.
First of all, the names! As a Tamil reader, I was completely floored by the choice of names in the book. Esai and Scheher were an instant attraction even before I got to know them. The language, the vibe of St. Margaret and the forbidden lake, and the bond between Minaxi-Esai and Scheher-Esai were an add-on. The rage in the book was palpable and remained the same throughout. And the climax toppled me over with the twist when I was least expecting it. Megha Rao has become a favourite and an absolute recommendation for everyone.
Esai and Scheherazade meet at St. Margaret’s and become friends because of their eccentricities. Scheher is an artist and a performer who turns her hurt and rage into words that inspire her college mates. But Esai is an adventurer delving deeper inside the secrets hidden behind the walls and the forbidden lake.
Once best friends, they are now forced to turn against each other as Scheher uses her words and voice to expose the scandals in her college. But for Esai, who is torn between Scheher and the college committee as the middleman, life turns unforgiving. Discovering Minaxi’s past, the witch who died in the forbidden lake, doesn’t do any better for her.
It was unlike anything I had read before, and I am still reeling from the unexpected ending. The book started with a promise and ended fulfilling it. A complete one-sitter, I found it moving extremely well-paced with a sense of suspense throughout. The book isn’t a thriller, and neither is it romance nor fantasy. But all these elements, in bits and pieces, worked together to bring out an absolute banger of a book.
First of all, the names! As a Tamil reader, I was completely floored by the choice of names in the book. Esai and Scheher were an instant attraction even before I got to know them. The language, the vibe of St. Margaret and the forbidden lake, and the bond between Minaxi-Esai and Scheher-Esai were an add-on. The rage in the book was palpable and remained the same throughout. And the climax toppled me over with the twist when I was least expecting it. Megha Rao has become a favourite and an absolute recommendation for everyone.
August 25, 2024
Just finished *Our Bones in Your Throat* by and I'm utterly spellbound. Her writing never fails to mesmerize me.
*Our Bones in Your Throat* is a novel, exploring themes like betrayal, sacrifice, friendship, and toxic relationships. At its heart is Esai, whose deep connections to St. Margaret’s profoundly shape her character.
Megha Rao enriches the story by painting Mumbai (Bombay) with a romantic and intriguingly peculiar brush, giving the city a captivating charm that lingers well beyond the final page.
What struck me most was the depth and nuance in the friendship between Esai and Scheher. Despite my occasional conflicts with the main protagonist, their relationship is a journey of revelation. The sacrifices they make for each other offer a poignant exploration of loyalty and betrayal, illustrating how their mutual support and help define their bond.
*Our Bones in Your Throat* is a novel, exploring themes like betrayal, sacrifice, friendship, and toxic relationships. At its heart is Esai, whose deep connections to St. Margaret’s profoundly shape her character.
Megha Rao enriches the story by painting Mumbai (Bombay) with a romantic and intriguingly peculiar brush, giving the city a captivating charm that lingers well beyond the final page.
What struck me most was the depth and nuance in the friendship between Esai and Scheher. Despite my occasional conflicts with the main protagonist, their relationship is a journey of revelation. The sacrifices they make for each other offer a poignant exploration of loyalty and betrayal, illustrating how their mutual support and help define their bond.
August 17, 2024
Megha's story reads like long form poetry indeed, and I particularly like how she sheds light on each of her characters. I love the friendship of Scheherazade and Esai, and while the middle section of the book had me in a tizzy, the ending made sense. I've read Music to Flame Lilies before, so I see Megha loves a sort of open ending, and after I finish the story I love speculating on what could've been. All in all a brilliant work of infusing folk tales and revenge and friendship between women (and I'm sure I'm missing something more) into one beautiful story.
August 28, 2024
i loved megha rao’s debut, teething, a couple of years ago, so i was thrilled to dive into her latest novel. as césar a. cruz aptly said, “art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” and rao’s latest work does just that, offering both solace and unease.
this book is a genre-bending coming-of-age story infused with magical realism, addressing contemporary social issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, casteism, and power. set in mumbai’s st. margaret’s college, the novel follows the tumultuous journey of esai and scheher - both central characters in their own right - as they navigate the chaos, rumors, secrets, and bonds formed during their first year.
rao masterfully shifts between anecdote and narrative, seamlessly blending esai and scheher’s modern day journey with historical retellings of women who too defied societal norms. our bones in your throat explores rage, power, vulnerability, and through rao’s lyrical prose even explore emotional depth evident through scheher’s character.
rao’s poetic mastery shines through her use of metaphors, and she solidifies her prowess as a novelist with a brilliant plot twist that is both unexpected and satisfying. although the book concludes with an open ending, i have no complaints as the pacing toward the end is perfectly executed.
thank you @_megharao and @simonandschusterin for the gifted copy and the opportunity to read this novel that is nothing short of art.
this book is a genre-bending coming-of-age story infused with magical realism, addressing contemporary social issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, casteism, and power. set in mumbai’s st. margaret’s college, the novel follows the tumultuous journey of esai and scheher - both central characters in their own right - as they navigate the chaos, rumors, secrets, and bonds formed during their first year.
rao masterfully shifts between anecdote and narrative, seamlessly blending esai and scheher’s modern day journey with historical retellings of women who too defied societal norms. our bones in your throat explores rage, power, vulnerability, and through rao’s lyrical prose even explore emotional depth evident through scheher’s character.
rao’s poetic mastery shines through her use of metaphors, and she solidifies her prowess as a novelist with a brilliant plot twist that is both unexpected and satisfying. although the book concludes with an open ending, i have no complaints as the pacing toward the end is perfectly executed.
thank you @_megharao and @simonandschusterin for the gifted copy and the opportunity to read this novel that is nothing short of art.
September 10, 2024
Haunting. Raw. Powerful.
This one is going to linger in my mind for quite a while.
This one is going to linger in my mind for quite a while.
August 25, 2024
what was interesting: tying the Salem witch trials and other such historical mishappenings with women (lore and real) with the plot, loved the romanticisation of Bombay- made a list of places worth visiting that were referenced in the book, grateful to live in Bombay now that I've seen such a romanticised version of it, many mystical characters- characters from from tamil and Malayalam folklores/ literature came in which was v interesting as i didn't know any, many characters from those lores were referenced connected pretty well to the current plotline, mixing narratives, mystical realism angle was interesting, tried to bring in the element of revolution which although seemed a little force but ok, interesting.
What I liked: felt extremely represented, the features of the protagonist matched my own which felt nice? for a brief while felt extremely comfortable and confident with my existing features crazy how much of a difference representation makes, the meaning of the name too hehe is similar to mine so I felt superior ig lol, elements of grandmother, storytelling etc brought back memories from personal life.
What I liked: felt extremely represented, the features of the protagonist matched my own which felt nice? for a brief while felt extremely comfortable and confident with my existing features crazy how much of a difference representation makes, the meaning of the name too hehe is similar to mine so I felt superior ig lol, elements of grandmother, storytelling etc brought back memories from personal life.
October 4, 2024
The novel is based on Esai and Scheherazade, the two characters navigating their first year at St. Margaret’s College. Their bond is the emotional core of the novel and the sacrifices they make for one another are both heart-wrenching and illuminating.
The strength of this novel lies in its poetic storytelling and Rao’s ability to mix genres seamlessly. One of the novel’s most poignant achievements is its exploration of representation and identity. Through Esai, Rao subtly delves into how features and personal traits can influence one's sense of belonging and confidence.
While the novel concludes with an open ending, the pacing and build-up make it feel well-earned. The journey of the two main characters through friendship, betrayal and self-discovery is both complex and compelling, making ‘Our Bones in Your Throat’ a genre-bending coming of age tale that lingers long after the last page.
The strength of this novel lies in its poetic storytelling and Rao’s ability to mix genres seamlessly. One of the novel’s most poignant achievements is its exploration of representation and identity. Through Esai, Rao subtly delves into how features and personal traits can influence one's sense of belonging and confidence.
While the novel concludes with an open ending, the pacing and build-up make it feel well-earned. The journey of the two main characters through friendship, betrayal and self-discovery is both complex and compelling, making ‘Our Bones in Your Throat’ a genre-bending coming of age tale that lingers long after the last page.
February 26, 2025
4.5⭐
I'm still reeling from the experience of reading "Our Bones in Your Throat" by Megha Rao. Her writing has left me utterly mesmerized - the poetic chapters, the vivid descriptions of Bombay, and the characters that leap off the page. Scheherazade, in particular, feels like a kindred spirit, and I couldn't help but wonder if she's a reflection of Megha Rao's own fiery spirit.
I didn't see the twist coming, and those final chapters left me breathless.
I'm still reeling from the experience of reading "Our Bones in Your Throat" by Megha Rao. Her writing has left me utterly mesmerized - the poetic chapters, the vivid descriptions of Bombay, and the characters that leap off the page. Scheherazade, in particular, feels like a kindred spirit, and I couldn't help but wonder if she's a reflection of Megha Rao's own fiery spirit.
I didn't see the twist coming, and those final chapters left me breathless.
August 10, 2024
This is a book I'm going to think about for a long, long time. It's safe to say that Megha Rao has written my favorite novel of the year.
A modern fairytale about power, greed, and corruption.
A lyrical and haunting exploration of institutionalized crimes and the way they get normalized.
A powerful manifesto for students' politics and the revolution that can come out of it.
A beautiful tragic story of love, sisterhood, friendship, hope, and so much heart.
A modern fairytale about power, greed, and corruption.
A lyrical and haunting exploration of institutionalized crimes and the way they get normalized.
A powerful manifesto for students' politics and the revolution that can come out of it.
A beautiful tragic story of love, sisterhood, friendship, hope, and so much heart.
September 1, 2024
This book truly left me spellbound. Megha's writing always has had the ability to capture deep, meaningful, nuanced relationships with well throughout, intentionally chosen words. There's always a signature sense of rhythm and rawness to her work - all of which shines in Our Bones In Your Throat.
November 13, 2024
Megha Rao's writing is rich, poetic prose woven a strong story of campus life which is eeri and enchanting, compelled readers to read it nonstop.
When Esai arrives at St. Margaret’s imposing campus, this college has a phenomenal wild myth. Esai wants to go to the forbidden lake , that is laid amidst forest.
Esai felt a connection with this lake, this forest and the myth also, is there any connection between Esai and the lake? And with the witch in the lake?
Then she plunges headfirst into a world of power games, underground recitals, new enemies, and complicated relationships. And then Esai is lured into the arms of something far more dangerous and exciting —a water spirit lurking in the foliage. She stumbles onto an ancient secret that threatens to dismantle the entire college to the bone. Esai knows something the others don’t. She finds herself at the heart of the unrest brewing on campus, alongside Scheher. Scheher, once her only friend, now a formidable face of dissent. What happens when those you fought for once, turn against you?
Within the halls and thickets of St. Margaret’s, decisions must be made. Friends, foes, and lovers must learn to navigate the quiet truths of life, the fragility of friendships, and the aftermath of passion.
I enjoyed every bit of it. Megha Rao's poetic language along with vivid narrative makes me stunned. I loved the enchanting world building, it was an enchanting world and the same time the blazing conflict on campus was extremely relatable, I wonder how she managed to create such brilliant, evocative narration that depicted magical realism and hardcore real world in same chapter.
The dualism, the inner conflict of Esai captured all the essence of human relationships. Till the end author's witty storytelling maintained the dualism and the unexpected twisted revelation in the end was a master stroke. Highly recommended to all.
Rating 5/5⭐
When Esai arrives at St. Margaret’s imposing campus, this college has a phenomenal wild myth. Esai wants to go to the forbidden lake , that is laid amidst forest.
Esai felt a connection with this lake, this forest and the myth also, is there any connection between Esai and the lake? And with the witch in the lake?
Then she plunges headfirst into a world of power games, underground recitals, new enemies, and complicated relationships. And then Esai is lured into the arms of something far more dangerous and exciting —a water spirit lurking in the foliage. She stumbles onto an ancient secret that threatens to dismantle the entire college to the bone. Esai knows something the others don’t. She finds herself at the heart of the unrest brewing on campus, alongside Scheher. Scheher, once her only friend, now a formidable face of dissent. What happens when those you fought for once, turn against you?
Within the halls and thickets of St. Margaret’s, decisions must be made. Friends, foes, and lovers must learn to navigate the quiet truths of life, the fragility of friendships, and the aftermath of passion.
I enjoyed every bit of it. Megha Rao's poetic language along with vivid narrative makes me stunned. I loved the enchanting world building, it was an enchanting world and the same time the blazing conflict on campus was extremely relatable, I wonder how she managed to create such brilliant, evocative narration that depicted magical realism and hardcore real world in same chapter.
The dualism, the inner conflict of Esai captured all the essence of human relationships. Till the end author's witty storytelling maintained the dualism and the unexpected twisted revelation in the end was a master stroke. Highly recommended to all.
Rating 5/5⭐
August 21, 2024
underwhelming :( this had so much potential
August 23, 2024
A stunner of a book. A coming of age, socially relevant novel that has such an twist that you just don’t see coming
August 23, 2024
Love, love the book, got goosebumps!
September 3, 2024
It is such a slow and cliche plot. I don’t know why it is stretched because not too much happening, hence it couldn’t quite evoke the emotion within the reader. If it was a 120 word novella, it would have done better. Expected this book to be different since Teething already had poems from the author Instagram, so had new hope on this🫠
September 5, 2025
A revenge story and a page turner.
April 13, 2025
a love letter to the wonder of a city that is bombay. It's bustling streets, it's eclectic kinare ki dukaans and it's fierce people who refuse to be silenced.
i am so glad i picked this up on bombay airport before i flew out. I am utterly in love with it's captivating writing. breathtaking in every sense. You can tell it was written by a poet because there wasnt one sentence that felt dull, or misplaced.
Towards the end of the book, i was afraid that it would be a cliché. That such beautiful prose would come an anticlimactic close. Boy was I wrong. I am still reeling from the ending. What a well constructed, thoughtfully penned story.
i am so glad i picked this up on bombay airport before i flew out. I am utterly in love with it's captivating writing. breathtaking in every sense. You can tell it was written by a poet because there wasnt one sentence that felt dull, or misplaced.
Towards the end of the book, i was afraid that it would be a cliché. That such beautiful prose would come an anticlimactic close. Boy was I wrong. I am still reeling from the ending. What a well constructed, thoughtfully penned story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews