Shodh

by Taslima Nasrin, Rani Ray (Translator)

"Nasrin's voice is the voice of humanism everywhere."—Wole Soyinka "Taslima Nasrin has spoken out about the oppression of women under Islam, and what she's said needed saying."—Salman Rushdie Revenge is a delicious novel about getting even from one of the most controversial and internationally acclaimed writers of her generation. In modern Bangladesh, Jhumur marries for love and imagines life with her husband, Haroon, will continue much as it did when they were dating on her university campus. But once she crosses the threshold of Haroon's family home, Jhumur finds she is expected to be the traditional Muslim wife: head covered, eyes averted, and unable to leave the house without an escort. When she becomes pregnant, Jhumur is shocked to discover that Haroon doesn't believe the baby is his. Overwhelmed by his mistrust, Jhumur plots her revenge in the arms of a handsome neighbor. Readers from every walk of life will be stunned by this tale of love, lust, and blood ties. Taslima Nasrin, an award-winning writer and human rights activist, is known for her powerful writing on women's oppression and unflinching criticisms of Islam, despite forced exile and multiple fatwa calling for her death. In India and Bangladesh, Nasrin's fiction, poetry, memoirs, and essays have topped bestseller lists abroad since the 1990s and have been translated into twenty languages.

Genres: Fiction, Feminism, Bangladesh, Contemporary, Asia, Novels, Novella

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Taslima 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.'

Reviews

[Mikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should this book or review pique your interest then please heed my warning: DO NOT read the blurb on the back cover nor the summary description shown here on Goodreads -- if you do, then technically you've read the book. There will be little left of surprise.

Revenge is pretty straight forward in both language and plot. As the title states -- it is a story of vengeance. The setting is in contemporary Bangladesh and centers around the failing relationship of a newly married couple: Jhumar and Haroon. Told through first person narrative, Jhumar guides the reader through their early courtship full of passion, adventure, open communication and mutual respect for one anther and their individul goals. That however is short lived and within six weeks into her marriage, she has become nothing more than the dutiful wife::

"I'd gratified him by preparing meals three times a day, doing all the washing, and taking care of the house, not once allowing the scarf to slip from my head. Neglecting none of my wifely obligations either in bed or at the stove."

And therein lies the problem. In a patriarchal culture where a woman's docility and obedience is expected, and "where a women with a physic degree is asked only to boil water", she has become contracted to serve the needs of both her husband and in-laws while allowing her own to go dormant. But life continues to be unjust and following a horrendous breach of faith in her marriage, Juhmar soon takes on a fight back to self and a well hatched plan of revenge is put in order.

What I enjoyed most about this book was its relatability for women in general despite ethnicity and culture. I mean, who hasn't in some point of their life gone missing during that slippery transition between you, me and us? Now, while I did not agree with her chosen method of liberation, and actually foresee it leading to a chain of deeper issues, I understand the need of reclamation and validation she was seeking.

I was initially wavering between a 3.5 and a 4, but went with the latter because I feel that the book gave credible insight into a culture where many women are still in struggle for the most very basic rights of equality.

[Mustakim · Rating 1 out of 5]

গল্পের নায়িকা ঝুমুর নায়ক হারুনকে প্রেম করে বিয়ে করে। বিয়ের পর বাড়িতে কাজের মেয়ে থাকা সত্ত্বেও বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ডিগ্রিধারী নায়িকাকে দিয়ে রান্না করানোতে নায়িকা গোসসা করে নিচ তলার ভাড়াটিয়া ডাক্তার আপার ন্যুড আর্টিস্ট দেবরের সাথে পরকিয়া করে এবং তার স্বামীর ওপর প্রতিশোধস্বরূপ সেই ন্যুড আর্টিস্টের বীর্যের বাচ্চা জন্ম দেয়। সেই বাচ্চাকে নিজের বাচ্চা মনে করে নায়ক হারুন অনেক খুশি হয়ে যায় এবং আগে নায়িকার প্রতি অতি খারাপ আচরণ এবং জোর করে এবর্শন করালেও পরে যত্ন-আত্তি করে এবং বেশ নমনীয় হয়। এরপর ন্যুড আর্টিস্ট অস্ট্রেলিয়া চলে যায় এবং নায়িকা তার মতো এই ভীষণ প্রতিবাদী জীবন সংগ্রামে আরো মেয়েদের উদ্বুদ্ধ করতে ভিকারুননিসার শিক্ষিকা হিসেবে যোগ দেন। কাহিনী শেষ, হ্যাপি প্রতিবাদী এন্ডিং।

প্রতিবাদী নির্বাসিত লেখিকা তসলিমা নাসরিনের ‘শোধ’ উপন্যাসটি বাংলা সাহিত্যের ইতিহাসে একটি কালজয়ী উপন্যাস। তিনি নগ্ন হস্তে প্রমাণ করেছেন যে ঘোড়ার ডিমের প্লটের ওপর অশ্লীল রসালো বর্ণনা চড়িয়ে প্রচ্ছদে নগ্নবক্ষা নারীর ছবি দিয়ে বই ছাপলেই বাঙ্গু সাহিত্যপ্রেমী শাহবাগী মহলের কাছে বিশাল প্রতিবাদী সাহিত্যিকের আসনে নিতম্ব ছোঁয়ানো যায়।

রেটিং - ১/৫
গুডরিডস রেটিং - ৩.৪৪/৫

[Nafisa Nawar · Rating 3 out of 5]

অশ্লীল বর্ণনা উপেক্ষা করে একটা গল্প লেখা যায়, কেউ কেউ কেন যেন সেটা পছন্দ করে না। ব্যক্তিগত ক্ষোভ নিজের লেখনীতে প্রকাশ করার অধিকার তাদের আছে বোধ করি।
গল্পে নারী জীবনের একটা অদ্ভুত বাস্তবতা তুলে ধরা হয়েছে, আজও, এই ২০২০ সালে কত নারী সেই জীবন যাপন করে। কিভাবে বেঁচে আছে তারা, নাকি আদৌ তাদের আত্মা আর বেঁচে নেই! তাদের মাঝে কেউ একজন এভাবে ঘুরে দাঁড়ালে তাকে বাহবা দিতেই হয়। ভুল পথ বেছে নেয়াটা প্রশংসাযোগ্য না যদিও। কিন্তু এভাবে বেঁচে থাকলে ক'জন পরিষ্কার চিন্তা করতে পারে!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around the World Reading Challenge: BANGLADESH
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Interesting concept and I really enjoyed the writing, but I think the Fable aspect here prevented me from fully connecting to the story. I didn't totally feel like I really had a strong sense for who Jhumur was as a person beyond her feelings about her husband and marriage, and her choice of revenge just didn't really connect for me.

[Miriam Cihodariu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read reviews describing this book as necessary and valuable especially through the lens of issues it addresses, and I agree on almost all counts. The topic of women's enslavement through family ties in some parts of the world (and to a lesser extent even in the most 'enlightened' areas) is indeed valuable and it was about time it became more openly discussed.

But the book is not valuable only through that - although short and straightforward, almost fable-like in how the matters are concluded and how karma seems to make a grand show of meting out punishment and reward (the nasty in-laws also get various forms of cosmic justice, not just the husband), it's also smart and enjoyable. I loved the narrative voice which is also capable of self-irony, not just of irony reserved for the other characters, so this also added a lot to the final flavor.

[Sudipta Baruah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shodh By Taslima Nasreen is one of those books which will stay with you forever. The characters are so well defined and relatable even in today's time. Sometimes it really gets to you the way Jhurmur suffers silently and finally finds the courage to fight against every norm and boundaries set for her. A must read book for sure.

[Ruhan991459 jamal]

MY NAME IS RUHAN.

[Miss Ira · Rating 2 out of 5]

লেখিকা ফেমিনিজমের নামে যা তা লিখে পার্টনারের উপর চিট করাকে জাস্টিফাই করে পুরো এক উপন্যাস লিখে ফেললেন। নিজের স্বকীয়তা প্রমাণ করার জন্য চিট করে প্রতিশোধ নিতে হবে এ কেমন কথা?

রাইটিং স্টাইল সুন্দর ছিল তাই দুইটা স্টার দিলাম

[Amanda Schaefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that book went really fast. The style of writing/translation was very simple and straightforward. The subject matter was anything but simple. Nasrin examines the role (and plight even) of women in modern day Bangladesh through the story of one woman who marries for love, but finds her marriage to be confining and even dehumanizing in some ways.

Because Jhamur's husband has little to no understanding of how babies are made, he is convinced that the baby Jhamur conceives within six weeks of marriage can't be his. So he forces her to have an abortion, even though she hasn't cheated on him. This causes Jhamur to seek revenge (hence the title) by conceiving a child by another man.

Very complicated - while I can understand the need for revenge, I don't understand why a revenge that is not recognized by her husband (he is convinced the child is his) could be satisfying. I was also somewhat disappointed by Jhamur's refusal to leave her husband, despite his cruelty. She's an educated woman, and she understands by other people's examples that marriage doesn't have to be that way anymore. But that may just be me coming to the text with a Western feminist's eyes. She does end up happy in the end, though - getting a job, taking back her independence a little from her husband. Interesting that the reason she can do that is Ananda, her child, who isn't even her husband's.

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is quite short and written in simple and straightforward style. The book is a fable and examines the role of women in Bangladesh society through the story of Jhumur who is educated and marries for love, but then is expected to be a traditional Muslim wife and daughter-in-law with the only purpose in life to serve her husband and his family. Although in the end Jhumur somewhat reclaims her personhood and independence by returning to her social life and getting a job, it is only a partial liberation in my opinion. The vehicle through which she gains her independence and respect from her husband’s family is by giving birth to a male child. One has to wonder whether she would have been able to assert herself and gain respect/deterrence from others if her child was female. Overall, this is not the most dramatic or interesting book about the oppression of patriarchy and the plight of women in South Asia, but I still liked it because it gave credible insights into the Bangladeshi culture.

[Sheena Roller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking read about the role of women (and the changing role of women) and men on Bangladesh where the book is set. As others have said, don't read the book jacket cover or the summary as it does give away a lot. However, even if you do, the telling of the unforgivable act and the resulting revenge is still quite poignant and gripping.

[DM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and interesting read, but character of Haroon felt like a flat caricature of men (and his swift changes in personality seemed implausible). End suggests women's real liberation is in paid work and their oppression stems fully from their position in the family--wish she could have struck a more balanced note instead of this binary.

[Harshleen Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is an awesome novel .! i really love it .. !!!!
this novel -" shodh " is heart touching .. the thigs which happen with jumur are really happening in india with the women. They treated as servants at there in-laws house !!

[Aleks · Rating 4 out of 5]

el libro deja un regusto amargo incluso cuando quiere proyectar un final "feliz" y esperanzador para la protagonista. estoy de acuerdo con lo que dicen el resto de personas, que este libro tiene un deje de fábula porque el castigo del universo les llega a todos los personajes. de todos modos no deja de ser una fábula descorazonadora. es un retrato de la opresión más minuciosa de la mujer en la sociedad moderna de bangladesh incluyendo la percepción de la propia mujer de la opresión que sufre y cómo poco a poco va dándose cuenta de la vida que se merece.

es descorazonador porque la revancha de la mujer es, en esencia, reclamar algunos de sus derechos básicos y ocultarle un secreto a su marido. es triste verlo como una victoria, pero dada la situación inicial de servidumbre al marido y a la familia del marido, es una victoria para la mujer recuperar una vida más o menos independiente sin salir de ese núcleo opresor.

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Partha Goswami · Rating 4 out of 5]

সকল মেয়েদের অবশ্য পড়া দরকার এই বই। বাকিদের জন্যেও খুবই সুন্দর উপস্থাপনা, বাস্তব চিত্র যাকে বলে। অসাধারণ।

[Madhurima Nayek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for womens 👇

ঝুমুর ও হারুনের প্রেমঘটিত বিবাহ। ঝুমুর তার স্বামীকে খুশী করার জন্য সবকিছু করে।তবু ঝুমুর দেখে যে তার স্বামী যেন তার দিকে নজরই দেয় না।সংসারের যাবতীয় নিয়ম মেনে লক্ষ্মীমন্ত বউ হবার চেষ্টা করতে থাকে প্রতিনিয়ত, এবং এর সাথে এটাও বোঝে তার স্বামী বিয়ের আগে যেমন ছিল তেমনটি আর নাই।দেড়মাস পর সে গর্ভবতী হলে হারুন তাকে সন্দেহ করে, অস্বীকার করে সেই বাচ্চাকে।বিয়ের পর হঠাৎ করেই তাদের মধুর সম্পর্ক নীরস হয়ে ওঠে।শেষে সেই সতি সাধ্বী বউ হয়ে ওঠে দ্বিচারিনী।এবং করে স্বামীর সাথে এক চরম প্রতারণা। তার চরিত্রের দিকে আঙুল তোলার শোধ সে নেয় এক বিশেষ উপায়ে।

বিবাহিত জীবন যতটা সুখের ততটা কঠিনও। একটা বাড়ির বউকে যে কত ঝক্কি পোহাতে হয় তা স্পষ্ট ফুটে উঠেছে।ঝুমুর চরিত্রটি বেশ লেগেছে, হারুনের ওপর খুব রাগ ধরছিল।
প্রথম থেকে শেষপর্যন্ত প্রতিটা পৃষ্ঠা মনোযোগ আকর্ষণ করে রেখেছিল।আমার মন ছুঁয়ে গেছে গল্পটি।

[Ollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a disappointment, to be honest. The plot was too simple and the characters had no depth at all. The story did not leave any room for imagination. The concept was good but so poorly handled. Women face a lot of issues in present day world and the only way to fight it is standing up for ourselves. And revenge is not clearly the solution. I expected some form of empowerment and inspiration from this book. But it just portrays misandry and adultery which I do not support. Divorce seemed like an option to me rather than adultery. Plus, the protagonist came off as a hypocrite when she felt pity for the women of her house when their husbands cheated on them whilst she was doing the same to her husband.

[Riz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taslima Nasrin has rightly captured the plight of a typical married woman in a typical South Asian society in this book which can be read in one sitting. However, I felt the plot of this book was a bit weak and at one time the story looked a bit unrealistic too (at least from my side and I could be wrong too). In the end, I was left with a lot to contemplate on and some questions...

I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to see the life from the perspective of a particularly educated South Asian married woman on how difficult her life to maintain balance in a number of things.

[Kristen]

http://muslimahmediawatch.org/2010/09...

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed the book for Flavorpill

[Hardeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

sad book. sadly shows how women are still condidered private property in most part of world

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "Shodh" is published as "Revenge" as well. which is translated by different translator. This book is good to read.

[Siddhida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it.short,straightforward,engrossing,realistic characters.

[Remya Vipinlal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a bollywood movie plot.

[Shibangi Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

jst awsm.....

[Lee Benz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book - read it all in one day.

[Shaon Shaonty · Rating 3 out of 5]

লেখায় ফ্ল আছে তবে গল্পে প্রতিশোধ টা এক্তু বেশীই হইয়ে গেছে!

[Nayonika Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Exile, this book came as a disappointment. It could be hugely due to the English translation, the writing style was poor and the book was not gripping.

[openshroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Revenge by Taslima Nasrin mostly because it was short, and I’ve been wanting to read more about the lives of Muslim women ever since I read Heart Lamp by Bhanu Mushtaq a few months ago. Honestly, even though the two books are from different writers and regions, they feel like they belong to the same world. The only real difference is location. Heart Lamp is about Indian Muslim women, while Revenge focuses on Bangladeshi Muslim women. The emotions, the struggles, and the way society treats them all feel very similar. Both books show what it’s like to live under a system that disguises control as love, and how women quietly find ways to take back a bit of themselves.

I liked Revenge, but it didn’t really live up to its title for me. It’s not the kind of revenge story I expected. The scene where Jhumur tells Haroon she’s getting a job was satisfying and felt like a subtle slap in the face, but I wanted more. I kept waiting for a real twist, something that would make me go, “There it is.” The fact that the big secret, that Ananda isn’t actually Haroon’s son but Afzal’s, never gets revealed felt like a missed chance. That could have completely changed the tone of the ending.

And the death of their first child because of Haroon’s arrogance really stayed with me. It showed how women end up suffering for men’s pride, even inside their own homes. But instead of turning that pain into actual revenge, the story becomes more about quiet endurance. Jhumur doesn’t ruin Haroon’s life, she simply walks away from it. That’s powerful in its own right, but not quite what I expected from a book called Revenge.

By the end, I realized it’s not really about vengeance. It’s about resilience and about a woman slowly rebuilding her sense of self even when no one around her notices or cares. It’s a quiet kind of power. Still, I wished there had been a bit more fire, a bit more fight.

That said, I’m glad I read it. Heart Lamp and Revenge almost feel like they’re part of the same conversation. Women from different countries but facing the same realities, trying to find freedom in a world that keeps trying to shrink them.