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Bubble Wrap
Twelve-year-old Krishna Singh has been married off to Shyam Singh of Rokhagadh, Rajasthan. Before the wedding, Krishna’s grandmother gives her a box filled with exquisite jewellery, telling her to sell it in times of trouble, but otherwise to hide it from her parents and in-laws. Accompanied by Gudiya, the fifteen-year-old widow of her cousin, Krishna realises that her cold marital home is a far cry from the loving one she left behind. The world outside has modernized and is beamed via television into her home. But she is not allowed to go to school; instead a female tutor comes home to teach her. A dubious father-in-law, a husband away at boarding school, and a mousey mother-in-law clearly show Krishna what is a woman’s place in this family. An unfortunate incident leads Krishna and Gudiya headlong into a series of events that change their lives forever. As they deal with one situation after another, the girls discover each other and learn much about the world they live in. Bubble Wrap is a story about their fight for survival against impossible odds in a shallow male-dominated society.
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First published July 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 8, 2016
Gudiya and Krishna two girls – one a widow, the other a child bride trying to make their way in a bigoted, biased world. A journey fraught with obstacles and a battle that seems lost even before it has begun. Bubble Wrap – the title had intrigued me the most as well as the blurb so I entered and luckily I won it in a giveaway.
Krishna is married off as a child bride by her father as is the norm in their village and he thinks he has chosen well. A rich family, an educated son- in- law and a loving mother-in- law. Responsibilities, education, a new household, new relationships, deceit, and conceit, as well as crime take them for a reckless ride.
The secret box given to Krishna by her grandmother is her only security but is she able to use it? Did the old lady really understand the world this little girl was pushed into? The box holds a key for Krishna and she really believes in it. She is sent along with the older widowed Gudiya as her help and support and both girls begin their life in their new home. Little do they realise that this is far different from what they expected.
The book is a most realistic commentary on the state of child brides and widows in our country. The story is based in Rajasthan and Delhi – it is unapologetic about the plot and reality of women as just commodities.
“Dadhi Saa, Maa and Gudiya in their black clothes looked like a team and rest of the family in disgruntled colors looked scattered. I wanted to be part of their team.”
Lines like this made reading this book a bit heart wrenching as the child, Krishna’s innocence comes to fore. As I read it was incidents like the double standards for Gudiya and Krishna, the very obvious fate that awaits Gudiya and the helplessness and apathy they face. The teacher, their unwilling partner was one who saw them as her reflection, prompting her into action.
Kindness from strangers and surprise help is what keeps the girls alive, barely. The ending was a revelation as they found themselves the very thing they were avoiding. An ending that left me wanting to fight for Krishna and the unfair fate meted out to her, but maybe in a way it was the right one from where she was left.
Bubble Wrap is a story for all of us as we will find Krishna and Gudiya around us regardless whether we go to a village or not. A soft thought provoking read.
Krishna is married off as a child bride by her father as is the norm in their village and he thinks he has chosen well. A rich family, an educated son- in- law and a loving mother-in- law. Responsibilities, education, a new household, new relationships, deceit, and conceit, as well as crime take them for a reckless ride.
The secret box given to Krishna by her grandmother is her only security but is she able to use it? Did the old lady really understand the world this little girl was pushed into? The box holds a key for Krishna and she really believes in it. She is sent along with the older widowed Gudiya as her help and support and both girls begin their life in their new home. Little do they realise that this is far different from what they expected.
The book is a most realistic commentary on the state of child brides and widows in our country. The story is based in Rajasthan and Delhi – it is unapologetic about the plot and reality of women as just commodities.
“Dadhi Saa, Maa and Gudiya in their black clothes looked like a team and rest of the family in disgruntled colors looked scattered. I wanted to be part of their team.”
Lines like this made reading this book a bit heart wrenching as the child, Krishna’s innocence comes to fore. As I read it was incidents like the double standards for Gudiya and Krishna, the very obvious fate that awaits Gudiya and the helplessness and apathy they face. The teacher, their unwilling partner was one who saw them as her reflection, prompting her into action.
Kindness from strangers and surprise help is what keeps the girls alive, barely. The ending was a revelation as they found themselves the very thing they were avoiding. An ending that left me wanting to fight for Krishna and the unfair fate meted out to her, but maybe in a way it was the right one from where she was left.
Bubble Wrap is a story for all of us as we will find Krishna and Gudiya around us regardless whether we go to a village or not. A soft thought provoking read.
October 12, 2014
I have always been blind to things which are happening around me and convinced myself that they are all nothing but some exaggerated stories. I have been a self-centrist and never regarded someone's problems as a big deal. But slowly I have been introduced to the problems of being born a girl by a friend of mine to whom I show my sincere admiration all my life. Even though my mother is a part of women welfare association, it never occurred to me to peep into the problems of the society. I have been overshadowed my fear of puniness and never involved myself in somebody's affair even though I rage with anger seeing things. But things like this book opened my eyes to a whole new world filled with irrational conceptions and groundless beliefs where optimism has no place. This book is everything; sexual abuse,child marriage,friendship,domestic violence,female foeticide and the hard truth of life.
Its a harsh situation where girls are thrown out into the ruthless world of desperate men ready to devour the dawning of womanhood while involving their wives in the crime. Its a piteous situation where one woman turns against another one and that predicament weaves a greater than the good relationship between two girls. The vivid description of every detail in the life of a growing girl moves you. The hardship faced by a girl without the support of a parent when needed the most in her life is seen.
It is also humorous that the whole story is narrated by a 12 yr old with preconceptions of her own and her ignorance of the adult world is funny at some and sympathetic at other times. This book drags you back while you make for a run to escape from the ugly truth and makes you listen to her tale. We have deliberately closed our eyes and ears to the truth by busying ourselves with modern issues and smearing ourselves with unnecessary topics to discuss which make us forget the ugly truth. But however bitter it is, a truth is a truth.
Thanks to the book for slapping hard on our deliberate slumber. Hope this gives a detailed image of undeveloped modern India and sufferings of a girl in this world. Thanks to the author, we appreciate your ramblings.
Its a harsh situation where girls are thrown out into the ruthless world of desperate men ready to devour the dawning of womanhood while involving their wives in the crime. Its a piteous situation where one woman turns against another one and that predicament weaves a greater than the good relationship between two girls. The vivid description of every detail in the life of a growing girl moves you. The hardship faced by a girl without the support of a parent when needed the most in her life is seen.
It is also humorous that the whole story is narrated by a 12 yr old with preconceptions of her own and her ignorance of the adult world is funny at some and sympathetic at other times. This book drags you back while you make for a run to escape from the ugly truth and makes you listen to her tale. We have deliberately closed our eyes and ears to the truth by busying ourselves with modern issues and smearing ourselves with unnecessary topics to discuss which make us forget the ugly truth. But however bitter it is, a truth is a truth.
Thanks to the book for slapping hard on our deliberate slumber. Hope this gives a detailed image of undeveloped modern India and sufferings of a girl in this world. Thanks to the author, we appreciate your ramblings.
January 16, 2015
'Bubble Wrap' is a moving story. Written in the first person, it tells the story of a very young girl-bride, Krishna. Through her words we learn of social ills that, shockingly, still prevail in society.
Krishna rebels instinctively even though, being so young, she only half understands the problems. The author tackles issues like child marriage, alcoholism, widow taboos and prostitution with adeptness and sensitivity. The editing could have been better but the story moves fast - Krishna and her sister-in-law/friend go through a lot. They meet some lovely people, but also mean, horrible ones. The ending cannot be predicted. Must read to find out.
Krishna rebels instinctively even though, being so young, she only half understands the problems. The author tackles issues like child marriage, alcoholism, widow taboos and prostitution with adeptness and sensitivity. The editing could have been better but the story moves fast - Krishna and her sister-in-law/friend go through a lot. They meet some lovely people, but also mean, horrible ones. The ending cannot be predicted. Must read to find out.
December 20, 2014
Really touching survival story about two girls Krishna Singh who gets married off to Shyam Singh of Rokhagadh, Rajasthan and her fifteen-year-old windowed cousin Gudiya. It has subtle humor and doesn't get over dramatic. Couldn't put it down.
June 22, 2015
When twelve-year-old Krishna marries Shyam Singh of Rokhagadh, her grandmother gives her a box filled with jewelry, telling her to sell it in times of trouble, but otherwise to hide it from her parents and in-laws. Krishna's marital home is very different from the house she grew up in - she is not allowed to go to school, but has a female tutor coming home to teach her once a week. She soon learns that her father-in-law, a drunkard and a lecher, who is not above carrying on with a maidservant, is deeply in debt and expects her father to help him out.
Krishna's fifteen-year-old widowed cousin, Gudiya, accompanies her to Rokhagadh, but is ill-treated by Krishna's in-laws, culminating in her rape by Krishna's father-in-law, on Diwali night. When Krishna's father learns of this, he wants to take both girls away immediately, but dies soon after, in a mysterious "accident" and Gudiya finds herself pregnant.
The Singhs are willing to help her, provided it is a male child. If she is carrying a female child, she will have to abort. Krishna's and Gudiya's responses to the death of the former’s father; their refusal to knuckle under to the Singhs; their decision to fight for their survival against impossible odds and to stand by each other forms the crux of the book
The biggest problem with Bubble wrap is that it is far too predictable. Many will relate this book to the serial Balika Vadhu but frankly that is it's least problems. Apart from the two main protagonists, none of the characters are particularly developed well. There is flatness in writing and at times, too bland and hardly creates any pulsating moment. Everything including the set-up, the running away, the stopping, the chase - happen in slow frames which as a reader hardly gives you anything to relate with these characters situation. All men are bad in this world but what forces their evil intentions is never explained to us.
It is not that writing is bad, far from it but the construction of the premise leaves you dazzled. The diary pages written by Krishna stuck out like sore thumb because it never flows genuinely with the main story. These flashbacks stand and eventually fall apart alone and as a narrative device do not add to anything to make us understand the tribulations of Krishna. The climax is shocking but that's probably the only intention because the details are never explained nor the situation fully sold to the readers.
I am going with 2/5 for Kalyani Rao's 'Bubble Wrap'. Even if you revel in the familiar stories and set up, it is difficult to like this one. One can just hope that the sincerity of the writing translates into something better from the writer in the next book.
Krishna's fifteen-year-old widowed cousin, Gudiya, accompanies her to Rokhagadh, but is ill-treated by Krishna's in-laws, culminating in her rape by Krishna's father-in-law, on Diwali night. When Krishna's father learns of this, he wants to take both girls away immediately, but dies soon after, in a mysterious "accident" and Gudiya finds herself pregnant.
The Singhs are willing to help her, provided it is a male child. If she is carrying a female child, she will have to abort. Krishna's and Gudiya's responses to the death of the former’s father; their refusal to knuckle under to the Singhs; their decision to fight for their survival against impossible odds and to stand by each other forms the crux of the book
The biggest problem with Bubble wrap is that it is far too predictable. Many will relate this book to the serial Balika Vadhu but frankly that is it's least problems. Apart from the two main protagonists, none of the characters are particularly developed well. There is flatness in writing and at times, too bland and hardly creates any pulsating moment. Everything including the set-up, the running away, the stopping, the chase - happen in slow frames which as a reader hardly gives you anything to relate with these characters situation. All men are bad in this world but what forces their evil intentions is never explained to us.
It is not that writing is bad, far from it but the construction of the premise leaves you dazzled. The diary pages written by Krishna stuck out like sore thumb because it never flows genuinely with the main story. These flashbacks stand and eventually fall apart alone and as a narrative device do not add to anything to make us understand the tribulations of Krishna. The climax is shocking but that's probably the only intention because the details are never explained nor the situation fully sold to the readers.
I am going with 2/5 for Kalyani Rao's 'Bubble Wrap'. Even if you revel in the familiar stories and set up, it is difficult to like this one. One can just hope that the sincerity of the writing translates into something better from the writer in the next book.
July 18, 2014
The cover
Simple yet attractive. It speaks volumes. The figure of two young girls holding hands and moving as if on flight as well as the tagline “Sometimes the only way is escape” give an insight into the story.
HIGHS
Story-line – Relevant given the fact that there are still some states/ places in India where child marriage,female foeticide, denial of formal education to girls and cruelty to widows are rampant. The story is an expression of the desires of the female race shackled within the four walls of their homes, forced to blindly follow traditions much against their will. This is a story of two minor girls who plunge headlong into an unknown world unaware of the dangers, trials and tribulations awaiting them. While one tries to protect the other by forming a bubble wrap around her, the other puts at stake her life, her luxuries and comforts in an attempt to save the former from a life worse than that of a dog.
What touched me is the helplessness of the young girls who are left to fend for themselves in this wicked world, their desire for a better life and their unfailing love for each other.
Language – Simple, engaging, easy to understand. One can visualize the scenes as the story moves on.
Characters – The characters of the protagonists i.e. Krishna and Gudiya are well etched. However I feel the character of the tutor is a bit hazy.
Message – The story is a wake-up call to society, the Government and the parents of girl children in particular to educate the girl child/ their daughters, sensitize them of the dangers lurking both at home and outside and equip them to deal with such situations effectively. The story is also an appeal to the authorities to ensure the ban on child marriage and female foeticide effectively. The story gives us food for thought.
LOWS
Blurb – The blurb could have been made more catchy and interesting.
Editing – Could have been tighter.
RECOMMENDATION-
The book reveals the stark truth of the ills prevailing around us. Hence it needs to be read and understood in all seriousness.
Simple yet attractive. It speaks volumes. The figure of two young girls holding hands and moving as if on flight as well as the tagline “Sometimes the only way is escape” give an insight into the story.
HIGHS
Story-line – Relevant given the fact that there are still some states/ places in India where child marriage,female foeticide, denial of formal education to girls and cruelty to widows are rampant. The story is an expression of the desires of the female race shackled within the four walls of their homes, forced to blindly follow traditions much against their will. This is a story of two minor girls who plunge headlong into an unknown world unaware of the dangers, trials and tribulations awaiting them. While one tries to protect the other by forming a bubble wrap around her, the other puts at stake her life, her luxuries and comforts in an attempt to save the former from a life worse than that of a dog.
What touched me is the helplessness of the young girls who are left to fend for themselves in this wicked world, their desire for a better life and their unfailing love for each other.
Language – Simple, engaging, easy to understand. One can visualize the scenes as the story moves on.
Characters – The characters of the protagonists i.e. Krishna and Gudiya are well etched. However I feel the character of the tutor is a bit hazy.
Message – The story is a wake-up call to society, the Government and the parents of girl children in particular to educate the girl child/ their daughters, sensitize them of the dangers lurking both at home and outside and equip them to deal with such situations effectively. The story is also an appeal to the authorities to ensure the ban on child marriage and female foeticide effectively. The story gives us food for thought.
LOWS
Blurb – The blurb could have been made more catchy and interesting.
Editing – Could have been tighter.
RECOMMENDATION-
The book reveals the stark truth of the ills prevailing around us. Hence it needs to be read and understood in all seriousness.
January 22, 2016
The story revolves around the protagonist Krishna Singh ,She was twelve years old on her wedding day.All her aunts and cousins got married when they were nine years old.
Before wedding, her grandmother her jewellery box and said her to keep it safe & secret .Krishna will be going to her father in law's house where she will have a lot of happiness and some misery too.
Another character in the story is Gudiya .Gudiya is the wife of her dead cousin. She is sixteen years old. Her mother in law ,had not spoken to her since that day when her cousin died in a accident.
Her husbands death took her life too.She wondered why she was a bad omen.
Gudiya will be send along with Krishma to Rakhagadh & will take care of Gudiya till she turned fifteen.
Shyam Singh study at All boys International in Jaipur, he is in 8th grade.He lives in the school's boarding house & go to Rokhagadh for vacations.
There is a message written on the book cover - Sometimes the only way is escape.
Few Lines From The Book :-
“We were sleeping on the same bed with our backs to each other trying to imagine a new life.”
“I was so jealous. I could compete against a dragon in a ‘breathing fire contest.”
All together its Poignant and evocative. It allows us to view the life of child bride in a small town.
Before wedding, her grandmother her jewellery box and said her to keep it safe & secret .Krishna will be going to her father in law's house where she will have a lot of happiness and some misery too.
Another character in the story is Gudiya .Gudiya is the wife of her dead cousin. She is sixteen years old. Her mother in law ,had not spoken to her since that day when her cousin died in a accident.
Her husbands death took her life too.She wondered why she was a bad omen.
Gudiya will be send along with Krishma to Rakhagadh & will take care of Gudiya till she turned fifteen.
Shyam Singh study at All boys International in Jaipur, he is in 8th grade.He lives in the school's boarding house & go to Rokhagadh for vacations.
There is a message written on the book cover - Sometimes the only way is escape.
Few Lines From The Book :-
“We were sleeping on the same bed with our backs to each other trying to imagine a new life.”
“I was so jealous. I could compete against a dragon in a ‘breathing fire contest.”
All together its Poignant and evocative. It allows us to view the life of child bride in a small town.
August 16, 2014
"Some authors can get the reader so lost in words and images that the story becomes secondary. Some authors tell such good stories the reader couldn’t care less about the language. Then here are those authors who can do both equally well."
Read this somewhere, very apt for this author. "Kalyani Rao is one of those authors.”
I loved this book, read it in one sitting for that matter. I felt like I was seeing the world from the protagonists, Krishna & Gudiya's, point of view. The author did a great job of writing emotion, made you feel like you were one of the characters. The characters were written keeping in mind young girls in our society - naive, clueless & protected by family. A society in the 20th century riddled with issues like child marriage, female foeticide, denial of child education, etc. The book isn't very long, but it still provides the necessary details in a simple lucid language. The landscape covered is rich & beautiful, the relationship between the protagonists is depicted well. It's a gripping tale with an unexpected & poignant ending. It is, for me, an insightful book relevant in today's India. Looking forward to more books from this author !
Read this somewhere, very apt for this author. "Kalyani Rao is one of those authors.”
I loved this book, read it in one sitting for that matter. I felt like I was seeing the world from the protagonists, Krishna & Gudiya's, point of view. The author did a great job of writing emotion, made you feel like you were one of the characters. The characters were written keeping in mind young girls in our society - naive, clueless & protected by family. A society in the 20th century riddled with issues like child marriage, female foeticide, denial of child education, etc. The book isn't very long, but it still provides the necessary details in a simple lucid language. The landscape covered is rich & beautiful, the relationship between the protagonists is depicted well. It's a gripping tale with an unexpected & poignant ending. It is, for me, an insightful book relevant in today's India. Looking forward to more books from this author !
May 31, 2015
Kalyani Rao has done a wonderful job in portraying the condition of women in our country in this evocative read. The author has amazingly brought to life every character that I could actually visualize the characters come alive in her words. However, I found the character of the tutor needing a bit of elaboration to dispel the haziness it develops in due course of time. The book is a simple story narrated well in simple words, opening our eyes to the grave issues women face in our country, even in the 21st century.
On one hand the story unveiled the many dangers young girls of our country are thrown unaware into, on the other, it takes us through a roller coaster of trials & tribulations our society subjects young girls to by being mere spectators instead of reaching out to help them in hours of need. I couldn’t help but note how the book clearly points that in our society, a girl or woman without the presence of a man in her life is looked upon as easy preys with many vultures hovering over them in various forms from time to time.
The detailed review can be found on my blog: https://theerailivedin.wordpress.com/...
On one hand the story unveiled the many dangers young girls of our country are thrown unaware into, on the other, it takes us through a roller coaster of trials & tribulations our society subjects young girls to by being mere spectators instead of reaching out to help them in hours of need. I couldn’t help but note how the book clearly points that in our society, a girl or woman without the presence of a man in her life is looked upon as easy preys with many vultures hovering over them in various forms from time to time.
The detailed review can be found on my blog: https://theerailivedin.wordpress.com/...
July 26, 2017
The tale of two bravehearts caught up in a male dominant society.
Krishna is a 12 year old Rajasthani girl married off to a rich household only to find out her in-laws are in huge debt and expect monetary favours from her family.
Gudiya is a 15 year old widow, casted out of the society due to her status. No colors are left in her life as she is forced to wear black as a part of the custom. She turns into a frustrated girl after facing discrimination and being accused of bringing bad luck everywhere.
When Gudiya accompanies Krishna to her new house as a personal help, the real tale begins. The girls are exposed to the reality of this cruel world at a very young age. Gudiya becomes a rape victim and desperately seeks escape from a situation that is beyond her control. Krishna tags along with Gudiya on an adventurous journey against all the odds. As the girls run away, leaving behind their miserable lives, they realise that the road isn’t any less difficult.
This hard hitting book is a must read.
Krishna is a 12 year old Rajasthani girl married off to a rich household only to find out her in-laws are in huge debt and expect monetary favours from her family.
Gudiya is a 15 year old widow, casted out of the society due to her status. No colors are left in her life as she is forced to wear black as a part of the custom. She turns into a frustrated girl after facing discrimination and being accused of bringing bad luck everywhere.
When Gudiya accompanies Krishna to her new house as a personal help, the real tale begins. The girls are exposed to the reality of this cruel world at a very young age. Gudiya becomes a rape victim and desperately seeks escape from a situation that is beyond her control. Krishna tags along with Gudiya on an adventurous journey against all the odds. As the girls run away, leaving behind their miserable lives, they realise that the road isn’t any less difficult.
This hard hitting book is a must read.
February 20, 2022
My god I loved the book, it crused my heart and made me cry. It so beautifully captures the tragic events that take place in the lives of two young girls. This book is so underrated.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews