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French Lover
A woman's search for love and independence in a strange city far away from home. French Lover is the story of Nilanjana, a young Bengali woman from Kolkata who moves to Paris after her marriage to Kishanlal, a restaurant owner. Kishanlal's luxurious apartment seems to Nilanjana to be a gilded cage, and she feels stifled within its friendless confines. Her marriage, where she functions as little more than a housekeeper and a sex object, is far from fulfilling and Nilanjana looks desperately for a way out of the boredom and depression that threaten to engulf her life. It is at this point that she meets Benoir Dupont, a blond, blue-eyed handsome Frenchman, and is swept off her feet. Benoir introduces Nilanjana to the streets, the cafes and the art galleries of Paris. In her passionate, sexually liberating relationship with Benoir, she finally begins to have an inkling of her own desires. The relationship ends when Nilanjana realizes that Benoir's first priority is himself and not the woman he loves, and that her need for him has ended. But her road to self-discovery has only just begun... Bold in concept and powerful in execution, French Lover is a fascinating glimpse into the workings of a woman's mind as she struggles to come to terms with her identity in a hostile world.
293 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
37 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Taslima Nasrin
130 books429 followersTaslima Nasrin (Bengali: তসলিমা নাসরিন) is an award-winning Bangladeshi writer, physician, secular humanist and human rights activist, known for her powerful writings on women oppression and unflinching criticism of religion, despite forced exile and multiple fatwas calling for her death. Early in her literary career, she wrote mainly poetry, and published half a dozen collections of poetry between 1982 and 1993, often with female oppression as a theme. She started publishing prose in the early 1990s, and produced three collections of essays and four novels before the publication of her 1993 novel Lajja (Bengali: লজ্জা Lôjja), or Shame. Because of her thoughts and ideas she has been banned, blacklisted and banished from Bengal, both from Bangladesh and West Bengal part of India. Since fleeing Bangladesh in 1994, she has lived in many countries, and lives in United States as of July 2016. Nasrin has written 40 books in Bengali, which includes poetry, essays, novels and autobiography series. Her works have been translated in thirty different languages. Some of her books are banned in Bangladesh.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
kroyanns-2013
February 18, 2013This kind of a book or rather story i should say, is not expected from a wonderful writer like you.
This book is frankly a huge disappointment, especially for your fans.
If you ask me what went wrong with the story, then my answer would be 'a woman is not a dumb mindless selfish slut' as portrayed in this book.
I agree with you that A WOMAN is physically weak, but that is over-come by her mental strength and her instincts. A female intuition is her biggest strength- which protects her from evil, helps her distinguish between right and wrong and most of all- is her most powerful guide.
A woman is surely born to be emotional and practical experience teaches her the ways to lead her life, but it seems that in cases like Nila (as portrayed by you), nothing works for her - neither she has any instincts nor she knows how to learn lessons. Nila as a character is total dis-appointment for all the women and the story is total rubbish.
In my point of view "you have just written whatever came to your mind." I am highly disappointed.
This book is frankly a huge disappointment, especially for your fans.
If you ask me what went wrong with the story, then my answer would be 'a woman is not a dumb mindless selfish slut' as portrayed in this book.
I agree with you that A WOMAN is physically weak, but that is over-come by her mental strength and her instincts. A female intuition is her biggest strength- which protects her from evil, helps her distinguish between right and wrong and most of all- is her most powerful guide.
A woman is surely born to be emotional and practical experience teaches her the ways to lead her life, but it seems that in cases like Nila (as portrayed by you), nothing works for her - neither she has any instincts nor she knows how to learn lessons. Nila as a character is total dis-appointment for all the women and the story is total rubbish.
In my point of view "you have just written whatever came to your mind." I am highly disappointed.
July 5, 2012
The book is more of the author's interpretations of how men are. Funny how all women are portrayed as saints and all men short on character. Hope the readers discern reality from the author's world view.
That apart, the book is just about ok. The characterizations are not necessarily strong, and is filled with stereotypes (the author's portrayal of French, for example). Nor is there any evidence of literary genius. Having said that, it is not boring, at least. I could sit and finish it at one go.
That apart, the book is just about ok. The characterizations are not necessarily strong, and is filled with stereotypes (the author's portrayal of French, for example). Nor is there any evidence of literary genius. Having said that, it is not boring, at least. I could sit and finish it at one go.
October 31, 2014
There is only one word that comes to my mind if I have to describe 'French Lover'- VAGUE.
Written by Taslima Nasrin, French Lover, is a story of a young, spirited girl's search for independence and love in a foreign land. Nilanjana or Nila as she is often called in the book, is a Bengali girl from Kolkata. She moves to Paris after she marries Kishan Lal, a restaurant owner. However, she feels trapped and suffocated in her loveless marriage and yearns for independence. Nila is nothing more than a housekeeper and sex object for her old husband. Finally, when she cannot take it anymore she stages a petulant walk-out.Friendless and broke, Nila moves in with Danielle. It turns out that Danielle is a lesbian, who uses Nila as a tool just like her husband.
Unable to make much of herself and her life, Nila is suddenly called back home because her mother is dying. After her mother's death Nila has the option of staying back in Kolkata or return to her aimless life in Paris. She chooses the latter and she meets Benoir Dupont on the flight. She is immediately swept of her feet by this handsome french man as he introduces her to the various cafes, bookstores and art galleries of Paris. A whole new world has been opened for Nila and she finds herself falling in love with Dupont. Nila finally comes to discover her own desires in this liberating and passionate relationship.However the relationship ends when Nila realizes that Benoir's first priority is himself and not Nila. Her need of him has ended because her journey to self-discovery has just begun. This is the summary of the novel in a nutshell. The blurb leads one to expect that French Lover is fascinating glimpse into the workings of a woman's mind, her struggle to come to terms with her own identity, a woman's attempt to come to terms with a foreign culture. Unfortunately, the book is nothing like it.
The most dominant feeling that I experienced while reading this novel was: a sense of loss, a vague, confused feeling. It was natural because as one reads the novel, it is evident that Nila, herself, is confused and extremely difficult to understand. In one part of the book Nila is portrayed as a shy, docile young girl who is only just coming to terms with a broken love affair. She judges people on the basis of their skin colour and talks in a friendly way with the whites. On the other hand, Nasrin also shows her as a educated woman with a degree in Bengali Literature. She is well-read with a keen interest in Philosophy. Nila has supposedly read Voltaire and various other American and Indian authors. In spite of being well-read, Narin's protagonist comes across as a very confused, narrow-minded and high-handed person.
French Lover is often termed as a feminist novel but I found it disappointing. Nila comes across as rebel who is not sure what her cause is. She is invariably selfish, unreflective, confused and extremely impulsive. She inspires very little sympathy and absolutely no curiosity. The novel also has several cross-cultural insights but they too are stereotypical, shallow and repetitive.
French Lover is more about the author's interpretation of masculinity and the male mindset. The translation is pedestrian and banal. It has nothing to offer readers who are looking for serious feminist literature.
This was the first book I read by Taslima Nasrin and I was disappointed.
Written by Taslima Nasrin, French Lover, is a story of a young, spirited girl's search for independence and love in a foreign land. Nilanjana or Nila as she is often called in the book, is a Bengali girl from Kolkata. She moves to Paris after she marries Kishan Lal, a restaurant owner. However, she feels trapped and suffocated in her loveless marriage and yearns for independence. Nila is nothing more than a housekeeper and sex object for her old husband. Finally, when she cannot take it anymore she stages a petulant walk-out.Friendless and broke, Nila moves in with Danielle. It turns out that Danielle is a lesbian, who uses Nila as a tool just like her husband.
Unable to make much of herself and her life, Nila is suddenly called back home because her mother is dying. After her mother's death Nila has the option of staying back in Kolkata or return to her aimless life in Paris. She chooses the latter and she meets Benoir Dupont on the flight. She is immediately swept of her feet by this handsome french man as he introduces her to the various cafes, bookstores and art galleries of Paris. A whole new world has been opened for Nila and she finds herself falling in love with Dupont. Nila finally comes to discover her own desires in this liberating and passionate relationship.However the relationship ends when Nila realizes that Benoir's first priority is himself and not Nila. Her need of him has ended because her journey to self-discovery has just begun. This is the summary of the novel in a nutshell. The blurb leads one to expect that French Lover is fascinating glimpse into the workings of a woman's mind, her struggle to come to terms with her own identity, a woman's attempt to come to terms with a foreign culture. Unfortunately, the book is nothing like it.
The most dominant feeling that I experienced while reading this novel was: a sense of loss, a vague, confused feeling. It was natural because as one reads the novel, it is evident that Nila, herself, is confused and extremely difficult to understand. In one part of the book Nila is portrayed as a shy, docile young girl who is only just coming to terms with a broken love affair. She judges people on the basis of their skin colour and talks in a friendly way with the whites. On the other hand, Nasrin also shows her as a educated woman with a degree in Bengali Literature. She is well-read with a keen interest in Philosophy. Nila has supposedly read Voltaire and various other American and Indian authors. In spite of being well-read, Narin's protagonist comes across as a very confused, narrow-minded and high-handed person.
French Lover is often termed as a feminist novel but I found it disappointing. Nila comes across as rebel who is not sure what her cause is. She is invariably selfish, unreflective, confused and extremely impulsive. She inspires very little sympathy and absolutely no curiosity. The novel also has several cross-cultural insights but they too are stereotypical, shallow and repetitive.
French Lover is more about the author's interpretation of masculinity and the male mindset. The translation is pedestrian and banal. It has nothing to offer readers who are looking for serious feminist literature.
This was the first book I read by Taslima Nasrin and I was disappointed.
March 20, 2013
Vague....!!!
This is how I would like to describe the book.
The character of Nila has been sketched so poorly, that you cannot exactly understand her till the end.
In one part of the book she is a timid Bengali girl with chapped lips, who judges people on the basis of their color. She talks in a friendly way with the whites but is hostile towards black and browns (let me remind you she herself is a brown Indian girl).
On the other hand Taslima shows her as a well-read woman. She knows even the tiniest detail about Voltaire. She has read almost all the authors and philosophers from Europe, America and India.
I don't understand if she is so well-read, how can she be so narrow minded.
Nila's character becomes so irritating with her high-headedness that I'm sure no man can tolerate her for more than few weeks.
The author has been busy finding faults in Indian and French culture. Nothing satisfies Nila.
She leaves both her husband and her French lover in the end; I couldn't find much reason behind it though. Both seemed quite Ok. After all no one is perfect, nor was Nila. What was she expecting some slaves who would obey her like a dog.
This was the first book I read by Taslima, and I was dissappointed.
This is how I would like to describe the book.
The character of Nila has been sketched so poorly, that you cannot exactly understand her till the end.
In one part of the book she is a timid Bengali girl with chapped lips, who judges people on the basis of their color. She talks in a friendly way with the whites but is hostile towards black and browns (let me remind you she herself is a brown Indian girl).
On the other hand Taslima shows her as a well-read woman. She knows even the tiniest detail about Voltaire. She has read almost all the authors and philosophers from Europe, America and India.
I don't understand if she is so well-read, how can she be so narrow minded.
Nila's character becomes so irritating with her high-headedness that I'm sure no man can tolerate her for more than few weeks.
The author has been busy finding faults in Indian and French culture. Nothing satisfies Nila.
She leaves both her husband and her French lover in the end; I couldn't find much reason behind it though. Both seemed quite Ok. After all no one is perfect, nor was Nila. What was she expecting some slaves who would obey her like a dog.
This was the first book I read by Taslima, and I was dissappointed.
February 13, 2024
As a reader diving into Taslima Nasrin's world for the first time, I was drawn by its reputation as a feminist novel. However, my journey through its pages left me with a sense of profound disappointment.
The central character, Nila, initially appeared as a beacon of rebellion, but as the narrative unfolded, she revealed herself to be a paradoxical figure—selfish, impulsive, and lacking in self-awareness. Rather than evoking sympathy or curiosity, her actions often left me feeling disconnected and unengaged. While the novel purportedly aims to delve into feminist themes, it instead seems preoccupied with the author's interpretation of masculinity and the male psyche. For those seeking substantive feminist literature, "French Lover" sadly falls short of expectations. Its pedestrian prose and lack of genuine exploration leave much to be desired.
February 15, 2016
Introduction:
After reading famous and controversial novel 'Lajja' I seen this book in a rack of the library so quickly picked it up. As it is expected this novel is based on woman.
Plot summary:
Nilanjana (Nila) is a modern Calcutta girl who has her own experience from society and family. Betrayed by her lover Sushant, her family married her off with an NRI named Kishanlal. Although she was not happy with this decision, but she dreams a better, happier life in France. She wanted to explore France's history and culture and live her life on her own terms. On the contradictory, her husband NRI Kishanlal want her to be a typical housewife and live in the flat. She was not ready to accept male superiority and slowly broke up with Kishan.
She further took a small job where her co-worker Daniella provide her shelter who end up using Nila for her lesbian pleasure. She also flies back to Calcutta after her mother's death. She went back to France with a dream of French Lover and met a French man named Benoire in flight. Read this book to know the more about this French lover.
Characters:
The protagonist of this book is Nilanjana, who have her own set of rule for this society and want to live life on her own terms. Another major character present in the book is Kishanlal, who is NRI but his mind is still in a cage of old sayings. Daniella and Benoire are the next major characters who helps to develop the story. Apart from this there are many small characters which are wisely chosen by the writer.
Writing Style:
The writing flow is perfect and language used is super easy even the new reader will find it easy to understand.
My perception:
Although this is a story of all about a girl and her freedom but somehow I've found the protagonist 'Nila' little confusing in herself. She was not happy with her husband because he is not handsome. he has put a restriction on her but on the other side she happily accept anything which her French lover use to say her because she is in love with his looks and sweet talk.
On the other side you can say that writer has portrayed a woman who is so much disturbed by the society and her rule, betray by her love and in search of love she always conned by people.
After reading famous and controversial novel 'Lajja' I seen this book in a rack of the library so quickly picked it up. As it is expected this novel is based on woman.
Plot summary:
Nilanjana (Nila) is a modern Calcutta girl who has her own experience from society and family. Betrayed by her lover Sushant, her family married her off with an NRI named Kishanlal. Although she was not happy with this decision, but she dreams a better, happier life in France. She wanted to explore France's history and culture and live her life on her own terms. On the contradictory, her husband NRI Kishanlal want her to be a typical housewife and live in the flat. She was not ready to accept male superiority and slowly broke up with Kishan.
She further took a small job where her co-worker Daniella provide her shelter who end up using Nila for her lesbian pleasure. She also flies back to Calcutta after her mother's death. She went back to France with a dream of French Lover and met a French man named Benoire in flight. Read this book to know the more about this French lover.
Characters:
The protagonist of this book is Nilanjana, who have her own set of rule for this society and want to live life on her own terms. Another major character present in the book is Kishanlal, who is NRI but his mind is still in a cage of old sayings. Daniella and Benoire are the next major characters who helps to develop the story. Apart from this there are many small characters which are wisely chosen by the writer.
Writing Style:
The writing flow is perfect and language used is super easy even the new reader will find it easy to understand.
My perception:
Although this is a story of all about a girl and her freedom but somehow I've found the protagonist 'Nila' little confusing in herself. She was not happy with her husband because he is not handsome. he has put a restriction on her but on the other side she happily accept anything which her French lover use to say her because she is in love with his looks and sweet talk.
On the other side you can say that writer has portrayed a woman who is so much disturbed by the society and her rule, betray by her love and in search of love she always conned by people.
June 17, 2012
The blurb may lead one into expecting a typical south-asian-immigrant-problems narrative,sadly the book is anything but that.
French lover is the story of Nilanjana Mandal, an educated, Bengali woman who marries and emigrates to Paris with a Punjabi restaurateur when rejected by her high caste college sweetheart. Her husband 'keeps her well', with a roof on her head, food in her stomach and clothes to cover(yeah, right) but doesn't allow her to venture out or work. After several heartaches, breaks and the likes, including a non-consensual homosexual relationship with a woman she willingly moved in with(confusing, isn't it?), getting raped by her brother's best friend(incorporated to add to the empathy factor; evokes nothing ,sorry!)and the death of a loved one, she chances upon the French lover, tall, blue-eyed and blonde. Now, this gentleman is as charming and surreal as the Harlequin/Mills and boon romance heroes. He sees beauty in Nila's sad, sad eyes,in her exotic chocolate coloured skin, her not so perfect assets yada yada..but there's no happily ever after, thereafter. Her lover is married with a six year old seriously ill daughter. He introduces Nila to the wonderful world of love and pleasure but gets cheesed off when asked to commit. The confusion, fights,additions to the story go on until Nila makes a decision which was long overdue. The novel is peppered with some third world problems in the first world, namely the difficulties faced in immigrating, uselessness of the native degrees in foreign land, racism but that's about it. In the end it offers nothing, the author has clearly relied on stereotypes, minimal research and zero creativity.
Conclusion- Not Recommended!
French lover is the story of Nilanjana Mandal, an educated, Bengali woman who marries and emigrates to Paris with a Punjabi restaurateur when rejected by her high caste college sweetheart. Her husband 'keeps her well', with a roof on her head, food in her stomach and clothes to cover(yeah, right) but doesn't allow her to venture out or work. After several heartaches, breaks and the likes, including a non-consensual homosexual relationship with a woman she willingly moved in with(confusing, isn't it?), getting raped by her brother's best friend(incorporated to add to the empathy factor; evokes nothing ,sorry!)and the death of a loved one, she chances upon the French lover, tall, blue-eyed and blonde. Now, this gentleman is as charming and surreal as the Harlequin/Mills and boon romance heroes. He sees beauty in Nila's sad, sad eyes,in her exotic chocolate coloured skin, her not so perfect assets yada yada..but there's no happily ever after, thereafter. Her lover is married with a six year old seriously ill daughter. He introduces Nila to the wonderful world of love and pleasure but gets cheesed off when asked to commit. The confusion, fights,additions to the story go on until Nila makes a decision which was long overdue. The novel is peppered with some third world problems in the first world, namely the difficulties faced in immigrating, uselessness of the native degrees in foreign land, racism but that's about it. In the end it offers nothing, the author has clearly relied on stereotypes, minimal research and zero creativity.
Conclusion- Not Recommended!
June 29, 2015
"A WOMEN SEARCHING FOR LOVE AND INDEPENDENCE IN A STRANGE CITY"
as the title of the book could be so persuasive , i thought it could be a fight of women facing the difficulties and walking against the male dominating society to be a independent but sorry to say book disappointed me beyond my imagination.
A women goes to paris after her marriage to live with her husband. She is a educated and strong minded girl( as book calls her). She doesn't accept the way her husband treat her, merely a maid and a sex toy. She has no feelings for him and she want to be independent. She wanted to earn on her own and be equal, when she couldn't take any more burden she would just leave him.. She was showing some real guts and strong characters as a protagonist. so far so good.
spoilt er aler: (Trust me, i am saving your time. You dont want to seriously waste ur time which i wasted)
so what happens next, her mother dies and she inherit load of money, instead of being the thrive on independent and strong, she would fall for some other man and just do the things which didn't wanted to do before. She was now spending all the money and time on a man to impress him. seriously !! after all this she is back to square one . after all the feminist revolution act she just needed to fall for one more man and be his property all together.
Author had tried very hard to portray a bold , strong minded girl. A girl who has a immense knowledge and thrive to stand up in the world which was immensely failed. She was Shallow and completely foolish and she took 293 pages to understand that and i read 293 pages in a hope she will come to her senses.
as the title of the book could be so persuasive , i thought it could be a fight of women facing the difficulties and walking against the male dominating society to be a independent but sorry to say book disappointed me beyond my imagination.
A women goes to paris after her marriage to live with her husband. She is a educated and strong minded girl( as book calls her). She doesn't accept the way her husband treat her, merely a maid and a sex toy. She has no feelings for him and she want to be independent. She wanted to earn on her own and be equal, when she couldn't take any more burden she would just leave him.. She was showing some real guts and strong characters as a protagonist. so far so good.
spoilt er aler: (Trust me, i am saving your time. You dont want to seriously waste ur time which i wasted)
so what happens next, her mother dies and she inherit load of money, instead of being the thrive on independent and strong, she would fall for some other man and just do the things which didn't wanted to do before. She was now spending all the money and time on a man to impress him. seriously !! after all this she is back to square one . after all the feminist revolution act she just needed to fall for one more man and be his property all together.
Author had tried very hard to portray a bold , strong minded girl. A girl who has a immense knowledge and thrive to stand up in the world which was immensely failed. She was Shallow and completely foolish and she took 293 pages to understand that and i read 293 pages in a hope she will come to her senses.
March 25, 2013
The book French Lover by Taslima Nasrin speaks more than just about French lovers. It actually speaks the mind of a contemporary, educated and independent Indian girl desperately seeking her place in the world. Her journey and bold moves on one hand make you feel very liberated but on the other, I found her unreasonable at times. Even though she seemed very highly learned, some of her moves defied reasoning altogether. Seeking independence is a good thing but knowing where to draw the line for one’s own good is also important. But overall, I would sum it up as a liberating book to read. A female reader will definitely be able to relate to the thoughts of the protagonist Nila’s feelings regarding household chores, financial independence, marriage and childbearing. It is highly recommended for all the male readers who want to know what goes on in a woman’s mind.
September 7, 2011
this book changed my life upside down seriously back in 2008 i was in luv with so calld guy for almosy 7 yrs tho he wasn nt evn committing abt anything ...this was eye opener i gathr guts to dump him ....!!!!!
December 12, 2012
Rubbish, did not expect that from Taslima. This is one of those books which leave you very angry at the end. Characters did not grow, stuck there, no plot, utterly useless.
September 5, 2012
A good one!! An Indian woman's tryst with disillusioning relations & isolation, the mental & physical oppression faced by an unfortunate section of the repressed women of India's middle class, hypocrisy & regressive mindsets of Indian society esp. MEN, & the self-absorbed culture of the West!! Thbook has some failings though!! The consistent theme : All men are the SAME!!( & definitely not in a positive sense!) The way the protagonist claims her personal freedom towards the climax is all too abrupt& unconvincing..!! I liked the other book 'Lajja' written by the same author Ms. Nasrin better; More humanistic in its theme, narration & plot than feministic !!
May 13, 2012
I don't consider Neela as a good contended woman(falling in Love and intimate relationships).I don't say she is a slut. But when she doesn't get what she's expected( from ex-boyfriend to her married man)she has gone wild..even lost her hopes about a happy family. I think its not her fault but the society she grew up has the 75% of fault there. It shows the contemporary Asian societies where intimate relationships are rarely spoken. Taslima has outlined it perfectly.But after all here also we see Paris is the "City of love" :) !!!
Read
October 25, 2013did not have a pleasant experience reading this. found it disgusting! too feministic.
January 12, 2022
Although the translation is readable, not all parts came through. The writing also have not aged well, and looking through the lens of a Bengali life, the stereotypes come as expected in the turn of the millennium (orig. published in 2001), except the moments between Nila and her lovers - which are lucid in earnest portrayal.
.
Like everyone, the protagonist Nila also lives in her own bubble (and is unhappy as she is someone always taken for granted by people around her), but once it bursts over the shock-value she experiences arriving at France, floodgates open. Thereafter, she keeps on questioning her circumstances (both lucky and tragic ones) and tries to engage in everything she deems interesting. Often she is confused about her "want" and "need". As a bengali, her "i-know-it-all, why don't you" snobbery also comes back to bite her, but that is one of the many-layered facets of a complex character as Nila.
.
There is also the hanging stereotype of "All men are dogs" throughout the novel, but given the time when the novel is set, it does not feel that much out of context, atleast within a bengali-middleclass-household.
Nevertheless of her decisions, Nila is grounded by her thoughts of her mother - Molina. The writing when she is searching or looking out for her mother really shines, and have the capacity to tug at your heartstrings.
The circumstance of Nila begetting and spending ample amount of money also borders on superficial, but not impossible.
.
The ending in one hand might seem pessimistic (even forced), but there seems to be a poetic justice - as if Nila is taking the revenge for the injustice done throughout her life to her and her mother(and maybe all womankind?), and taking decision in her own terms, even if she comes of as confused or selfish. Otherwise, for general-happy-ending-crowd the novel might end on a denial-note and taking a-slap at the author, which is exactly how it feels when someone with agency controls and drive out people without it.
.
Like everyone, the protagonist Nila also lives in her own bubble (and is unhappy as she is someone always taken for granted by people around her), but once it bursts over the shock-value she experiences arriving at France, floodgates open. Thereafter, she keeps on questioning her circumstances (both lucky and tragic ones) and tries to engage in everything she deems interesting. Often she is confused about her "want" and "need". As a bengali, her "i-know-it-all, why don't you" snobbery also comes back to bite her, but that is one of the many-layered facets of a complex character as Nila.
.
There is also the hanging stereotype of "All men are dogs" throughout the novel, but given the time when the novel is set, it does not feel that much out of context, atleast within a bengali-middleclass-household.
Nevertheless of her decisions, Nila is grounded by her thoughts of her mother - Molina. The writing when she is searching or looking out for her mother really shines, and have the capacity to tug at your heartstrings.
The circumstance of Nila begetting and spending ample amount of money also borders on superficial, but not impossible.
.
The ending in one hand might seem pessimistic (even forced), but there seems to be a poetic justice - as if Nila is taking the revenge for the injustice done throughout her life to her and her mother(and maybe all womankind?), and taking decision in her own terms, even if she comes of as confused or selfish. Otherwise, for general-happy-ending-crowd the novel might end on a denial-note and taking a-slap at the author, which is exactly how it feels when someone with agency controls and drive out people without it.
February 22, 2024
"ফরাসি প্রেমিক" মোটা দাগে প্রেমের উপন্যাস হলেও এতে ফুটে উঠেছে বর্ণবাদ, প্রাচ্য-পাশ্চাত্যের সমাজ ব্যবস্থা ও সংস্কৃতির তুলনামূলক চিত্র। যদিও সেই চিত্র আদতে লিঙ্গকেন্দ্রিক তুলনাকেই প্রাধান্য দেয়। প্রাচ্য নারীকে যেভাবে দেখে, পাশ্চাত্য নারীকে সেই চোখে দেখে না। তবুও জগৎজুড়ে নারীর প্রতি পুরুষের দৃষ্টিভঙ্গির মধ্যে যেন এক বিচিত্র মিলবন্ধন আছে। সব পুরুষের চোখেই নারী এক। পতিতাপল্লীর নিরাপত্তা প্রহরী থেকে শুরু করে শিক্ষিত জাঁদরেল শিল্পমনা পুরুষ, দক্ষিণ এশীয় রক্ষণশীল পুরুষ থেকে ইউরোপীয় ভীষণমাত্রার লিবারেল পুরুষ- সবার চোখেই যেন নারীর চিত্রায়ণ চেতনে কি অবচেতনে একই রকম! অন্তত তসলিমা নাসরিনের কালিকলমের ক্যানভাসে এমনটাই ফুটে উঠেছে!
উপন্যাসে পুরুষকে কীভাবে পোর্ট্রে করা হয়েছে, সব পুরুষকে একই পাল্লায় মাপতে গিয়ে আদতে পুরুষের প্রতিই জগতের সব নারী একপেশে গৎবাঁধা দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি পোষণ করে কি না- তা নিয়ে বিতর্ক উঠতেই পারে। তবে সাহিত্যগুণের বিচারে "ফরাসি প্রেমিক"-কে আমার মোটেও এলেবেলে মনে হয়নি। তসলিমার ভাষার গাঁথুনি যেমন মজবুত, তেমনই সাবলীল। হয়তো আধুনিক জনপ্রিয় ধারার কথাসাহিত্যিকদের মত তসলিমা পাঠকদের এক লাইন পড়িয়ে পরবর্তী পাঁচ লাইন পড়ার মত তীব্র আগ্রহের মায়াজাল বিস্তার করে না। কিন্তু ঘটনার ঘনঘটায় চরিত্রের ভেতরে ঢুকতে ঢুকতে পাঠক কখন যেন চরিত্রের সাথে বসবাস করতে শুরু করে। আমার মতে, কথাসাহিত্যিকের ভাষাপ্রয়োগের মাঝে এইটুকু গুণ থাকা আবশ্যক। তসলিমার ভাষার গাঁথুনিতে আমি সেই গুণের ছোঁয়া পাই। সাথে উপমা ও রূপকের সার্থক প্রয়োগ তো আছেই। আছে দহনের তীব্র জ্বালা, আছে ভালোবাসার সিক্ত কোমল সুখ। আছে ধর্ষণের প্রতি তীব্র ঘৃণা, আছে প্রেমময় কামনার স্বর্গীয় অনুভূতির স্পর্শ!
তসলিমার একটি বড় সমস্যা হল- মানুষ যা পড়তে চায়, তসলিমা তা লেখেন না। নইলে বহু আগেই আধুনিক বাংলা সাহিত্যের প্রবাদপুরুষ(!) -দের তালিকায় তসলিমার নাম সম্ভ্রমের সাথে উচ্চারিত হত!
উপন্যাসে পুরুষকে কীভাবে পোর্ট্রে করা হয়েছে, সব পুরুষকে একই পাল্লায় মাপতে গিয়ে আদতে পুরুষের প্রতিই জগতের সব নারী একপেশে গৎবাঁধা দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি পোষণ করে কি না- তা নিয়ে বিতর্ক উঠতেই পারে। তবে সাহিত্যগুণের বিচারে "ফরাসি প্রেমিক"-কে আমার মোটেও এলেবেলে মনে হয়নি। তসলিমার ভাষার গাঁথুনি যেমন মজবুত, তেমনই সাবলীল। হয়তো আধুনিক জনপ্রিয় ধারার কথাসাহিত্যিকদের মত তসলিমা পাঠকদের এক লাইন পড়িয়ে পরবর্তী পাঁচ লাইন পড়ার মত তীব্র আগ্রহের মায়াজাল বিস্তার করে না। কিন্তু ঘটনার ঘনঘটায় চরিত্রের ভেতরে ঢুকতে ঢুকতে পাঠক কখন যেন চরিত্রের সাথে বসবাস করতে শুরু করে। আমার মতে, কথাসাহিত্যিকের ভাষাপ্রয়োগের মাঝে এইটুকু গুণ থাকা আবশ্যক। তসলিমার ভাষার গাঁথুনিতে আমি সেই গুণের ছোঁয়া পাই। সাথে উপমা ও রূপকের সার্থক প্রয়োগ তো আছেই। আছে দহনের তীব্র জ্বালা, আছে ভালোবাসার সিক্ত কোমল সুখ। আছে ধর্ষণের প্রতি তীব্র ঘৃণা, আছে প্রেমময় কামনার স্বর্গীয় অনুভূতির স্পর্শ!
তসলিমার একটি বড় সমস্যা হল- মানুষ যা পড়তে চায়, তসলিমা তা লেখেন না। নইলে বহু আগেই আধুনিক বাংলা সাহিত্যের প্রবাদপুরুষ(!) -দের তালিকায় তসলিমার নাম সম্ভ্রমের সাথে উচ্চারিত হত!
June 24, 2025
একঘেয়ে বর্ণনা এবং একপেশে দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি নিয়ে লেখা কাহিনি। সরল, গতিময় গদ্যের জোরে পড়া হয়তো হয়ে যায়। তবে বিরক্তিও জাগে।
August 29, 2023
i have read this book before as well.
it is about a girl called nilanjana who goes from India to France in an arranged marriage and about her life!.
it was not as good as her last book "lajja"!.
it was well written.
the girl nilanjana
she goes to Paris, France for an arranged marriage.
she is actually a Bengali women.
she is married to a restaurant owner.
she is supposed to do all the works of the house like cooking and cleaning and is supposed to satisfy the sexual needs of her husband and also is just considered a sex object.
she does not know what to so and is desperate for some one to love her and to get freedom.
the man is called kishanlal.
she roams all over the city and then meets a man called benoir dupont.
she starts a relationship with him and starts having an affair with him.
she wants some one to lover her and wants her freedom and independence.
this is what the book revolves around basically.
she then gets pregnant and her lover wants to keep the baby but she wants to have nothing to do with him and abandons him and wants to break up with her and this is how the story ends.
i liked this book and it was almost has good as lajjja , which was her previous or other novel.
it is about a girl called nilanjana who goes from India to France in an arranged marriage and about her life!.
it was not as good as her last book "lajja"!.
it was well written.
the girl nilanjana
she goes to Paris, France for an arranged marriage.
she is actually a Bengali women.
she is married to a restaurant owner.
she is supposed to do all the works of the house like cooking and cleaning and is supposed to satisfy the sexual needs of her husband and also is just considered a sex object.
she does not know what to so and is desperate for some one to love her and to get freedom.
the man is called kishanlal.
she roams all over the city and then meets a man called benoir dupont.
she starts a relationship with him and starts having an affair with him.
she wants some one to lover her and wants her freedom and independence.
this is what the book revolves around basically.
she then gets pregnant and her lover wants to keep the baby but she wants to have nothing to do with him and abandons him and wants to break up with her and this is how the story ends.
i liked this book and it was almost has good as lajjja , which was her previous or other novel.
Read
April 4, 2016Taslima Nasrin is as usual bold and unflinching with her words and accounts, there is no pretending and there is no hiding. Though I doubt women these days, the kinds of Nila, a doctor’s educated and polished daughter from a city like Calcutta, would be as easy. The situations thrown are basic and lifelike, finding out ways through them are also no adventure, so the book isn’t moving for that matter. Most of the story speaks the truth about the rudimentary lifestyle of an Indian homemaker and how any woman leading such a life can opt out of it on will. All is well until in the end when it seems ruthlessly feminist of the author to call a man ‘selfish’ for vague reasons and generalise such feelings. Such feminism is not sought after in any world. The moves of the protagonist at times defy reasoning but they are in no way unreal- she does give a spotless picture of what goes on in a simple woman’s complex mind. Expect no creativity, no drama, and no exploration. As a woman, I could relate it much to my ex-lover who coincidentally had gifted me the book. So I give it a soft corner. Can't say I recommend it.
March 3, 2018
2.5 perhaps.
This is my first book by Nasrin. I think I set the bar too high. I am not disappointed by the book but I found that there are a lot of books by Indian writers which amazed me. I did not find anything extraordinary about the story. Nothing spectacular. Just your average middle-class Bengali with an affair with a man of a different caste, forced into an arranged marriage to an older cliched Indian male who lives in France, her tryst with France, poetry, and books do play an important part in the book; art and history, both Bengali and French. And your typical French lover.
I do not if my review sounds like I disliked the book, its just that I kept waiting for it to get better, until the very end. It is a lovely book, I liked Taslima's writing. But maybe, not one among the best books I have read about this theme in general. I am not giving up though. Going to pick up another one of Taslima's pretty soon.
This is my first book by Nasrin. I think I set the bar too high. I am not disappointed by the book but I found that there are a lot of books by Indian writers which amazed me. I did not find anything extraordinary about the story. Nothing spectacular. Just your average middle-class Bengali with an affair with a man of a different caste, forced into an arranged marriage to an older cliched Indian male who lives in France, her tryst with France, poetry, and books do play an important part in the book; art and history, both Bengali and French. And your typical French lover.
I do not if my review sounds like I disliked the book, its just that I kept waiting for it to get better, until the very end. It is a lovely book, I liked Taslima's writing. But maybe, not one among the best books I have read about this theme in general. I am not giving up though. Going to pick up another one of Taslima's pretty soon.
August 13, 2013
I read a translated version of Taslima Nasrin's French Lover and I was totally bowled over by it. The protagonist of the story, Neela's entry to a foreign land and her initial cultural shock is portrayed brilliantly. The view of French psyche through a Bengali's eyes and vice versa is done in a deep as well as in a relatable way. However the main theme of the story is something else. It is a question of whether a woman will be treated as an equal ever by a man. Every male characters that appear in the story is seen in all his fallacies and limitations in seeing woman as an equal being. The ending of the story give us a lot of room for thought and Neela's conclusion will make us think for days.
May 6, 2015
This book is SO vague. Its gives people wrong perceptions about both men and women. Although I agree with her portrayal of the Indian society, I don't quite agree with her views on men. Not all men are the same. Not all of them dump women and view them as mere toys for their personal and sexual gratification.
And not all women are 'dumb mindless selfish sluts'.
The character of Nilanjana Mandal is so shallow. How can a woman just let a man ravish her without putting up a defence?
I had huge expectations from this book. And after finishing it I am just lingering between disappointment and anger.
Disappointment at the way the way it ended.
Anger at the way the character of Nila has been portrayed.
And not all women are 'dumb mindless selfish sluts'.
The character of Nilanjana Mandal is so shallow. How can a woman just let a man ravish her without putting up a defence?
I had huge expectations from this book. And after finishing it I am just lingering between disappointment and anger.
Disappointment at the way the way it ended.
Anger at the way the character of Nila has been portrayed.
August 10, 2020
Bangladesh.
Paris was Nilanjana's escape from the entanglements of her home and marriage. The freedom in France was exhilarating for someone who had come from the confines that a Calcutta household held. She felt she was in a dream when she was swept off her feet by the handsome French guy she thought existed only in Novels and Movies. Like any movie alas her tryst with the French man came to an end. But, through the whole journey, she was able to explore more of herself than anything else. It's a bit bold - for the Indian reader in me perhaps! Yet, Taslima tried and captured the nuances of the Indian wife often caught in the trap of a cycle of household chores and sex and hardly knew of a world beyond that.
Paris was Nilanjana's escape from the entanglements of her home and marriage. The freedom in France was exhilarating for someone who had come from the confines that a Calcutta household held. She felt she was in a dream when she was swept off her feet by the handsome French guy she thought existed only in Novels and Movies. Like any movie alas her tryst with the French man came to an end. But, through the whole journey, she was able to explore more of herself than anything else. It's a bit bold - for the Indian reader in me perhaps! Yet, Taslima tried and captured the nuances of the Indian wife often caught in the trap of a cycle of household chores and sex and hardly knew of a world beyond that.
March 26, 2019
I read the reviews before starting this book and almost all the reviews said 'it's vague'. Still, I went ahead, read it and I have to admit that the ending of the book left me seriously disheartened and angry. The storyline is really good and the way all the cruelties against women and the sacrifices they have to endure are described..is well upto the mark ! But in the end, Nila does what she thinks is wrong and which happened to her mother. Her father had extra marital affairs and Nila has one too ; and when the man leaves his family for her, she refuses to marry him. Unfair ! Illogical ! No valid explanation ! It's a really stupid notion of events and the protagonist is totally confused and irrational.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2015
I was left perplexed at the end. I couldn't find a reasoning behind calling Benoir selfish.
Anyway, the takeaway from this book seems to be, for me , at least, is don't marry someone financially dependent on you, because they will have an inferiority complex about themselves, which they will (might) use to put the blame on their significant other in case you give your opinion to them. The author hides it ,very craft fully till the climax, but in reality you will see it easily.
Also, don't invest your time with someone who is so inherently against your gender that they can't see the good in you. They will just see it what they want to see.
Feel free to disagree
Anyway, the takeaway from this book seems to be, for me , at least, is don't marry someone financially dependent on you, because they will have an inferiority complex about themselves, which they will (might) use to put the blame on their significant other in case you give your opinion to them. The author hides it ,very craft fully till the climax, but in reality you will see it easily.
Also, don't invest your time with someone who is so inherently against your gender that they can't see the good in you. They will just see it what they want to see.
Feel free to disagree
August 23, 2010
The French lover is primarily a story of “Nina” a bengali woman who married a Punjabi guy to get away from her country, to get away from a lot of memories she can’t deal with and hoping that life will become beautiful with that.
However reality is totally different and instead of enjoying Paris she is confined to her house and treated almost as a maid and an object to satisfy the physical needs of the man
Read the full review here... http://monikamanchanda.wordpress.com/...
However reality is totally different and instead of enjoying Paris she is confined to her house and treated almost as a maid and an object to satisfy the physical needs of the man
Read the full review here... http://monikamanchanda.wordpress.com/...
August 1, 2016
I simply adore the way the author has portrayed the protagonist in different situations of life. Yes, it is the story of the journey of a woman from Kolkata to Paris. She finds out that there is no true love and it is just the change of bodies. Her struggle in India shows the other side of the society where women aren't considered equal as men. Poor lady! The lessons of life are tough but she continues learning till she reaches the saturation point.
A perfect read for someone who wants to be self and just self.....
A perfect read for someone who wants to be self and just self.....
July 25, 2019
Loved the complex characters. The book reminded me of one of the short stories I wrote some years ago. The journey of Nila from a new bride to the person she has evolved towards the end is portrayed well. Subjects such as racism, marital rape and also various issues such as patriarchy that women face wherever she maybe, be it her own country or in a foreign country has been tackled in an honest manner.
The translator has done a fine job in translating as the story and narrative flows smoothly; it hardly felt like a translation to me.
The translator has done a fine job in translating as the story and narrative flows smoothly; it hardly felt like a translation to me.
March 19, 2010
Brilliant. I loved the book. She has written it to aptly,so well. Even the the difficulties of her life in Paris are shown with such subtlety and when she talks about the men and how universally men are. I love the character of the woman protagonist here. I have re read this several times. Felt contented after having read a book after very long
April 13, 2013
Although i finished reading the book, I couldn't fathom Nila's character and her mind set. She is so confused, so much immature and she was everything which i don't like in a woman. Everything she did, i felt she was out of her mind. Coming from Taslima Nasrin, i didn't expect anything like this. An utter disappointment....
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