Opium

by Ashapurna Devi, Sanjukta Dasgupta (Translator)

Sumita is a highly accomplished modern young woman with idealistic and moral values who was baffled by the treatment she received at her in-law's house after getting married to her husband of choice.
Sumita stands docile in front of the torment meted on her but seethes inside. Until one day she stands up to everyone who tormented her and asserts her freedom.
Will she be able to break free of her shackles or remain bound to the past like an Opium addict?
Ashapurna Devi was the first female author to write about the abuses against middle class women. Her female characters are typically outspoken, strong willed and brave.
This translation has changed the original title from Afing.

30 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2017

About the author

Ashapurna Devi (Bengali: আশাপূর্ণা দেবী), also Ashapoorna Debi or Asha Purna Devi, is a prominent Bengali novelist and poet. She has been widely honoured with a number of prizes and awards. She was awarded 1976 Jnanpith Award and the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1976; D.Litt by the Universities of Jabalpur, Rabindra Bharati, Burdwan and Jadavpur. Vishwa Bharati University honoured her with Deshikottama in 1989. For her contribution as a novelist and short story writer, the Sahitya Akademi conferred its highest honour, the Fellowship, in 1994.

Reviews

[Mythbreaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story shows a subtle reality of many women that holds true even to this day.

Despite education, liberal parents and her own intellect, talented Sumita chooses to fall back into the embrace of her crude marital house and husband Sudhiranjan. Because love does not know logic. For some, it is like opium.

The translation, however, is very average with tons of typos.

[Agni Guha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has dated. There are some liberating elements to this story but the ending left me really confused and angry.

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this was very poorly translated and difficult to understand.

[Anushree · Rating 3 out of 5]

The translation was very poor. I am sure the original bangla story will make much more impact. The ending was very unusual. I loved the entire story but the language needs a lot more improvisation.

[Khyati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, it falls under poorly translated work.

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story comes through in bits and pieces, primarily, because of the poor translation.

The translation has killed the writing of a novel author.