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Don't Run, My Love
Atuonuo lives with her widowed mother Visenuo in Kija, an ancient village of the Angamis. Their lives are hard—regulated by the seasons and by the ceaseless annual labours of hoeing and digging, planting and harvesting. But it is also a life of peace, lived in a well-knit community of wise elders and caring—though sometimes overbearing—neighbours and relatives. This peace is shattered when Kevi, a young hunter, lithe and possessed of an animal magnetism, better looking than any other man in the village, comes to them at harvest time offering help and a hunk of venison. Kevi falls in love with Atuonuo and proposes marriage. Atuonuo, young in years and unsure of her heart, turns him down. But love becomes menacing when Kevi, angered by the rejection, viciously turns on Atuonuo, and reveals a side of himself that neither mother nor daughter could have imagined in their worst nightmares.
With grace and in restrained, lyrical prose, Easterine Kire draws upon legend and a profound understanding of human nature to weave a compelling tale of love and the demons it sometimes conjures.
Easterine Kire is a poet, novelist, short-story writer and writer of children’s books. Her first novel, A Naga Village Remembered, was also the first Naga novel to be published in English. Her other novels include Son of the Thundercloud, Bitter Wormwood and When the River Sleeps.
With grace and in restrained, lyrical prose, Easterine Kire draws upon legend and a profound understanding of human nature to weave a compelling tale of love and the demons it sometimes conjures.
Easterine Kire is a poet, novelist, short-story writer and writer of children’s books. Her first novel, A Naga Village Remembered, was also the first Naga novel to be published in English. Her other novels include Son of the Thundercloud, Bitter Wormwood and When the River Sleeps.
128 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2017
About the author
Easterine Kire
33 books101 followersEasterine Kire (Iralu) is a poet, writer, and novelist from Nagaland. She is one of the finest story tellers from the region and has written several books in English including three collections of poetry and short stories. Her first novel, A Naga Village Remembered, was the first-ever Naga novel to be published.
Easterine has translated 200 oral poems from her native language, Tenyidie, into English. She has been actively involved in working on creating better opportunities for the Naga youth and nurturing and evangelizing the Naga folktales.
She is also the Founder-partner of the publishing house called Barkweaver, which publishes Naga folktales, children’s stories and real stirring stories of ordinary people. Easterine Kire has a Ph.D in English Literature from University of Pune.
Easterine has translated 200 oral poems from her native language, Tenyidie, into English. She has been actively involved in working on creating better opportunities for the Naga youth and nurturing and evangelizing the Naga folktales.
She is also the Founder-partner of the publishing house called Barkweaver, which publishes Naga folktales, children’s stories and real stirring stories of ordinary people. Easterine Kire has a Ph.D in English Literature from University of Pune.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 1, 2021
*Best parts:
First, the book is short. Only 119 pages long.
Second, the mother-daughter bond that plays the main theme throughout the story.
Third, cultural background and beliefs which are portrayed quite well.
Fourth, do anyone need a shapeshifter story?
However, I feel the writing could have been more engaging; the characters a little more developed and the story be given a proper ending.
The characters were quite endearing at the beginning but a few of the main characters have been abruptly taken away from the story when the ending demanded their strong presence. I do still need more explanation as to why what happened between the two main characters.
The romance was there. However, the second half was somewhat in contrast to whatever happened in the first half.
It would have been a really good story if the book was a little bit longer with more character development and presence towards the ending.
I do appreciate the mention of the lifestyle details giving due representation of the places involved.
First, the book is short. Only 119 pages long.
Second, the mother-daughter bond that plays the main theme throughout the story.
Third, cultural background and beliefs which are portrayed quite well.
Fourth, do anyone need a shapeshifter story?
However, I feel the writing could have been more engaging; the characters a little more developed and the story be given a proper ending.
The characters were quite endearing at the beginning but a few of the main characters have been abruptly taken away from the story when the ending demanded their strong presence. I do still need more explanation as to why what happened between the two main characters.
The romance was there. However, the second half was somewhat in contrast to whatever happened in the first half.
It would have been a really good story if the book was a little bit longer with more character development and presence towards the ending.
I do appreciate the mention of the lifestyle details giving due representation of the places involved.
August 1, 2018
Easterine Kire was first recommended to me by when I asked a friend about books on north east literature.I looked her up and realised that she has a very impressive biography and all her books are about the reality and experience of living in Nagaland.She has won "The Hindu Literary Prize ",twice and also the Governors medal for excellence in Naga literature in 2011.Even more impressive ,was the fact that her books have been translated into German,Croatian ,Uzbek and Nepali .
***********
The story is about Visenuo and her daughter Atuonuo who live a harsh but peaceful life in the ancient village of Khija.The peace is shattered when Atuonuo falls in love with handsome Kevin without realising the truth of his identity .As the story unfolds ,mother and daughter attempt to save each other in order to get back what is lost.
*************
This is essentially a tale of what can go wrong if a girl falls foolishly in love with the wrong person especially a beast disguised as a handsome man, because one has to admit there are many such men roaming around .Men, who are all cuddly and sweet at one moment and ready to unleash their anger the next because of rejection,insecurity and unnatural possessiveness.
Easterine Kire's writing is lyrical and flows like the gentle waters of a stream with bubbles here and there.The description of the harvest season and the village community with gentle but overbearing elders was wonderful and one realises how difficult life really is for the farmers in the Highlands.In addition, Kire has blended a lot of old age wisdom in the story,making it a delightful read.
***********
The story is about Visenuo and her daughter Atuonuo who live a harsh but peaceful life in the ancient village of Khija.The peace is shattered when Atuonuo falls in love with handsome Kevin without realising the truth of his identity .As the story unfolds ,mother and daughter attempt to save each other in order to get back what is lost.
*************
This is essentially a tale of what can go wrong if a girl falls foolishly in love with the wrong person especially a beast disguised as a handsome man, because one has to admit there are many such men roaming around .Men, who are all cuddly and sweet at one moment and ready to unleash their anger the next because of rejection,insecurity and unnatural possessiveness.
Easterine Kire's writing is lyrical and flows like the gentle waters of a stream with bubbles here and there.The description of the harvest season and the village community with gentle but overbearing elders was wonderful and one realises how difficult life really is for the farmers in the Highlands.In addition, Kire has blended a lot of old age wisdom in the story,making it a delightful read.
September 10, 2018
"That was the custom amongst her people: young men proposed to girl after girl and married the one who said yes. So a girl had the right to refuse if she didn't like a suitor."
In an ancient village of the Angamis, Kija, lived Atuonuo with her widowed mother, Visenuo. It was the time of harvest when Kevi came in their lives. Thus began a magical journey of the tale of love, betrayal, norms and culture. Easterine Kire's swooping prose amalgamates supernatural with real. It is a parable of consent, a women's expected role in the society and about the means for finding the inner strength.
In an ancient village of the Angamis, Kija, lived Atuonuo with her widowed mother, Visenuo. It was the time of harvest when Kevi came in their lives. Thus began a magical journey of the tale of love, betrayal, norms and culture. Easterine Kire's swooping prose amalgamates supernatural with real. It is a parable of consent, a women's expected role in the society and about the means for finding the inner strength.
April 14, 2019
I met Easterine Kire ma'am when I attended an event at Rachna Books where she talked about her books while being interviewed by a popular local journalist, Tashi Choppel Sir.
I came to know that she is the author of the novel 'When the River Sleeps' for which she was awarded the Hindu Literary Prize in 2015. However, I decided to buy a shorter novel of hers first to sample her writing.
From the first few pages itself, I was hooked. The story is captivating, and the prose is so simple and lucid that it allows the reader to just glide through the pages. The dialogues are well-written, and as expected from an award-winning author, the grammar and punctuation are flawless.
I could relate with the characters, their courage, and their fears. I loved how Easterine ma'am has portrayed the culture and traditions of the villages in the North East, some of which are quite similar to Sikkimese/Nepali culture. The descriptions are beautiful and vivid, and I could picture the scenes so well that I could feel as if I was right there. The magical realism aspect is also handled wonderfully, without allowing it to interfere with the narrative that essentially highlights an adorable relationship between a daughter and her loving mother.
However, I felt that ending could have been slightly better. It felt rushed and did not satisfy me emotionally, especially after a long wait for a satisfactory interaction between the lead characters. But upon closer introspection, probably the story was an allegory for abuse within relationships of love, about women being blinded by ideas of romantic love they have formed from reading pulp fiction possibly, and becoming vulnerable to men who use them and abuse them. From this perspective, even the rushed ending is somewhat justified.
All in all, I really liked the book, and I give it 4.3 stars. I will pick up her award-winning book next, which I'm sure will be even better.
I came to know that she is the author of the novel 'When the River Sleeps' for which she was awarded the Hindu Literary Prize in 2015. However, I decided to buy a shorter novel of hers first to sample her writing.
From the first few pages itself, I was hooked. The story is captivating, and the prose is so simple and lucid that it allows the reader to just glide through the pages. The dialogues are well-written, and as expected from an award-winning author, the grammar and punctuation are flawless.
I could relate with the characters, their courage, and their fears. I loved how Easterine ma'am has portrayed the culture and traditions of the villages in the North East, some of which are quite similar to Sikkimese/Nepali culture. The descriptions are beautiful and vivid, and I could picture the scenes so well that I could feel as if I was right there. The magical realism aspect is also handled wonderfully, without allowing it to interfere with the narrative that essentially highlights an adorable relationship between a daughter and her loving mother.
However, I felt that ending could have been slightly better. It felt rushed and did not satisfy me emotionally, especially after a long wait for a satisfactory interaction between the lead characters. But upon closer introspection, probably the story was an allegory for abuse within relationships of love, about women being blinded by ideas of romantic love they have formed from reading pulp fiction possibly, and becoming vulnerable to men who use them and abuse them. From this perspective, even the rushed ending is somewhat justified.
All in all, I really liked the book, and I give it 4.3 stars. I will pick up her award-winning book next, which I'm sure will be even better.
February 5, 2020
Don't Run, My Love reads like a fable and weaves a charming spell for readers. The story is told by way of focussing on the mother daughter duo of Visenuo and Atuonuo in Kija, a village of Angamis (a Naga tribe) and their hard life made of planting, harvesting, collecting firewood, all depending on the vagaries of nature. The story is quintessentially in the realm of good triumphing over evil in the end but Kire embellishes the story with the socio cultural flavour of Naga lives, practices and belief systems.
Kire writes with vivid imagery using elements of nature to foretell which way the story and characters will be heading: the darkness of the night surrounded by silence, an impending storm amongst others. I picked this up as I needed something light and different from my earlier book pick but was a bit surprised that Kire slipped at one point with her story telling - the part where Atuonuo loses her hair band and the mother says 'we will buy one'. The story, set as it is in an ancient time could have mentioned the barter system that was in practice in earlier times rather than mar the folk/fable like narration.
Kire writes with vivid imagery using elements of nature to foretell which way the story and characters will be heading: the darkness of the night surrounded by silence, an impending storm amongst others. I picked this up as I needed something light and different from my earlier book pick but was a bit surprised that Kire slipped at one point with her story telling - the part where Atuonuo loses her hair band and the mother says 'we will buy one'. The story, set as it is in an ancient time could have mentioned the barter system that was in practice in earlier times rather than mar the folk/fable like narration.
January 12, 2018
The cover of the book is too interesting. I loved the story. It's a short read with lots of surprises, mysteries and much more. The pace of the story is also good. The characters that the author has made are very strong. The description of the apple tree, giant etc is what I loved. The author has set the plot beautifully. Each and every part of the story is connecting. The language used is simple and easy which added charm to the story. The reader can easily connect with the story and visualize it well.
The story gives a profound understanding of human nature. The tale of love, mystery, and bond it is.
the bond between Atuonuo and Kevi is amazing. I loved the writing style of the author. it's too interesting as well as connecting.
With strong characters, amazing plot and simple language, this story is simply a great read.
The story gives a profound understanding of human nature. The tale of love, mystery, and bond it is.
the bond between Atuonuo and Kevi is amazing. I loved the writing style of the author. it's too interesting as well as connecting.
With strong characters, amazing plot and simple language, this story is simply a great read.
January 30, 2018
Story that deals with mother and a daughter. How the duo faced their problems.
June 23, 2023
In my sociology paper, I delved into the study of tribes and clan systems across various regions of India. Among them, the Naga tribe stood out as one of the few groups that adheres to a matrilineal system. I also discovered the Khasis and Nayar families follow similar practices. When I picked up Easterine Kire's book, my intention was to gain a deeper understanding of how this system truly functions.
Within its 120 pages, the book weaves together elements of magical realism, folklore, and societal dynamics. It explores the collision of matriarchal and patriarchal mindsets, blurring the boundaries between the natural and supernatural realms. Symbolically, fire plays a significant role, carrying profound implications for the future unfolding of events.
Through the scenic unknown place, the story portrays the struggles faced by a widowed mother and her young daughter. Kire vividly depicts clan life, emphasizing the importance of learning and wisdom in a casteless society that nonetheless grapples with deep-rooted prejudices. Whether in a gated and opulent society or within a clan system, the pernicious effects of patriarchal gaze and backstabbing persist. Rumours never cease; they merely transform and spread further. In such a system, victims are often blamed, especially by their in-laws, who refuse to accept them as part of their family, disregarding the ties of blood.
Amidst these trials and tribulations, a handsome stranger arrives, initially appearing as their saviour but ultimately turning into their worst nightmare. Seeking liberation from their ordeal, the protagonists embark on a less-travelled path, defying conventions and carving out their own destinies.
Despite the promise held by the narrative, the execution of the storyline felt like a fragile house of cards collapsing. The thunderstorm that raged throughout the book suddenly seemed to dissipate, as if it had never formed. What was intended as a tale to explore feminist perspectives ended up morphing into a tale of demon slaying. Through her words, Kire fearlessly challenges patriarchal society, its customs, and the biases against women, wielding her prose like a double-edged sword. Unfortunately, the abrupt climax and development at the end turned this intriguing read into a missed opportunity.
Within its 120 pages, the book weaves together elements of magical realism, folklore, and societal dynamics. It explores the collision of matriarchal and patriarchal mindsets, blurring the boundaries between the natural and supernatural realms. Symbolically, fire plays a significant role, carrying profound implications for the future unfolding of events.
Through the scenic unknown place, the story portrays the struggles faced by a widowed mother and her young daughter. Kire vividly depicts clan life, emphasizing the importance of learning and wisdom in a casteless society that nonetheless grapples with deep-rooted prejudices. Whether in a gated and opulent society or within a clan system, the pernicious effects of patriarchal gaze and backstabbing persist. Rumours never cease; they merely transform and spread further. In such a system, victims are often blamed, especially by their in-laws, who refuse to accept them as part of their family, disregarding the ties of blood.
Amidst these trials and tribulations, a handsome stranger arrives, initially appearing as their saviour but ultimately turning into their worst nightmare. Seeking liberation from their ordeal, the protagonists embark on a less-travelled path, defying conventions and carving out their own destinies.
Despite the promise held by the narrative, the execution of the storyline felt like a fragile house of cards collapsing. The thunderstorm that raged throughout the book suddenly seemed to dissipate, as if it had never formed. What was intended as a tale to explore feminist perspectives ended up morphing into a tale of demon slaying. Through her words, Kire fearlessly challenges patriarchal society, its customs, and the biases against women, wielding her prose like a double-edged sword. Unfortunately, the abrupt climax and development at the end turned this intriguing read into a missed opportunity.
October 20, 2019
Actual rating - 3.5 stars.
~
| Book Review | Don't Run, My Love.
~
I first read Easterine's work at the beginning of the year. A Respectable Woman was a beautiful book in which I was introduced to Northeastern culture. Albeit I stumbled across this book when I least expected it, I was glad I did. There's a certain amount of ease in her words that makes one steam through the book in just a couple of hours. Though this wasn't as good as the other book, it still charmed me nevertheless.
~
Don't Run, My Love is a short book about the lives of a mother and daughter living in a small Northeastern village, Kija. Visuenuo having been widowed lives with her eighteen year old daughter, Atuonuo, seemingly living a content life. Both mother and daughter are hard workers who work on their farm every day from dawn to dusk. At one such harvest time, as the ladies were struggling to load their sacks into the hut, a strikingly good looking young man lends a hand. Kevi, says he was on the way to the next village and assists the mother daughter duo in carrying their load. To give thanks, Visuenuo cooks dinner for him and sends off happily. The fact that they were impressed by his mild manner and helpful nature was evident.
~
Kevi starts leaving them gifts on the doorstep and the mother assumes that he will soon make a proposal to her daughter. And rightly so, when Kevi proposes Atuonuo in an amusing manner, she turns him down only to realise later that she likes him too. Kevi loses his cool and shows his dark side soon after the rejection. To everyone's horror Kevi turns out to be a were-tiger which happens to be quite common in that area. Both the women then walk to a holy village to seek protection. The story till here was quite effective and interesting but what happens next felt very rushed. With Kevi's death and the women's safety assured, the story ends quite abruptly. There were many things that I absolutely enjoyed. The relationship between mother and daughter has been beautifully penned down. Though I was fascinated by magical realism, I somehow felt that the story could have ended in a much more subtle manner. I however still loved reading it.
~
Rating - 3.5/5.
~
| Book Review | Don't Run, My Love.
~
I first read Easterine's work at the beginning of the year. A Respectable Woman was a beautiful book in which I was introduced to Northeastern culture. Albeit I stumbled across this book when I least expected it, I was glad I did. There's a certain amount of ease in her words that makes one steam through the book in just a couple of hours. Though this wasn't as good as the other book, it still charmed me nevertheless.
~
Don't Run, My Love is a short book about the lives of a mother and daughter living in a small Northeastern village, Kija. Visuenuo having been widowed lives with her eighteen year old daughter, Atuonuo, seemingly living a content life. Both mother and daughter are hard workers who work on their farm every day from dawn to dusk. At one such harvest time, as the ladies were struggling to load their sacks into the hut, a strikingly good looking young man lends a hand. Kevi, says he was on the way to the next village and assists the mother daughter duo in carrying their load. To give thanks, Visuenuo cooks dinner for him and sends off happily. The fact that they were impressed by his mild manner and helpful nature was evident.
~
Kevi starts leaving them gifts on the doorstep and the mother assumes that he will soon make a proposal to her daughter. And rightly so, when Kevi proposes Atuonuo in an amusing manner, she turns him down only to realise later that she likes him too. Kevi loses his cool and shows his dark side soon after the rejection. To everyone's horror Kevi turns out to be a were-tiger which happens to be quite common in that area. Both the women then walk to a holy village to seek protection. The story till here was quite effective and interesting but what happens next felt very rushed. With Kevi's death and the women's safety assured, the story ends quite abruptly. There were many things that I absolutely enjoyed. The relationship between mother and daughter has been beautifully penned down. Though I was fascinated by magical realism, I somehow felt that the story could have ended in a much more subtle manner. I however still loved reading it.
~
Rating - 3.5/5.
July 16, 2020
My grandfather hammered in me that each story that I devour has multiple truths in it. Neil Gaiman further added to this lesson over the years. Easterine Kire writes about a world that is strangely very familiar to my sister and me. Through folktales, folk legends and folklores a community imparts it's life lesson to its young ones like our dadu did with his stories.
Though I am bereft of a community identity, I have had the luxury of reading and hearing folktales. Reading Don't Run, My Love was a pleasure. It is a coming of age story, a tragic love story, story of courage but most importantly it is story of mother-daughter bond. Atuonou and her mother Visenuo meet handsome Kevi while harvesting their fields. Soon this acquaintance turns into friendship and blossoms with exchange of gifts into affection.
But in this world of Kire, sweet love is not meant to be. The beauty of this little book lies in the pages full of evocative description of rustic Nagaland. Between burning the skin of deer meat to walking through the forests, we get to see the comfort and little annoyances that comes with living in a close knit community. The plight of young widows and unmarried young girls is universal; their lives open for discussion and their reputation easy to tarnish. Yet Visenuo is fiercely protective and won't let her daughter get intimidated by the peer pressure exerted by her community. Nor will she stop her daughter from exercising her own will.
This novella is a modern folktale, it has a lesson and it has the supernatural with multiple truths. The lesson I learned; it warns young people of toxic love. Kevi despite his outward love and tenderness soon shows his inner animal spirit in practice and reality. Is it the man or the beast that rules his instinct? We will never know.
There is a thin line between love and obsession, and Autonou learns it the hard way when the line snaps.
Though I am bereft of a community identity, I have had the luxury of reading and hearing folktales. Reading Don't Run, My Love was a pleasure. It is a coming of age story, a tragic love story, story of courage but most importantly it is story of mother-daughter bond. Atuonou and her mother Visenuo meet handsome Kevi while harvesting their fields. Soon this acquaintance turns into friendship and blossoms with exchange of gifts into affection.
But in this world of Kire, sweet love is not meant to be. The beauty of this little book lies in the pages full of evocative description of rustic Nagaland. Between burning the skin of deer meat to walking through the forests, we get to see the comfort and little annoyances that comes with living in a close knit community. The plight of young widows and unmarried young girls is universal; their lives open for discussion and their reputation easy to tarnish. Yet Visenuo is fiercely protective and won't let her daughter get intimidated by the peer pressure exerted by her community. Nor will she stop her daughter from exercising her own will.
This novella is a modern folktale, it has a lesson and it has the supernatural with multiple truths. The lesson I learned; it warns young people of toxic love. Kevi despite his outward love and tenderness soon shows his inner animal spirit in practice and reality. Is it the man or the beast that rules his instinct? We will never know.
There is a thin line between love and obsession, and Autonou learns it the hard way when the line snaps.
September 16, 2022
One word review: Spellbinding!
Don't Run, My Love is a fiction novel from the author Easterine Kire. Having read her work, Son Of The Thundercloud earlier, I was impressed with the story telling and wanted to check out other books from her. This book is similar to Son Of The Thundercloud in many ways and narrates a fabulous tale blended with reality and magic.
The story begins with a mother, Visenuo and her daughter, Atuonuo, meeting a handsome stranger, Kevi, who offers them his support when it was much needed. The relationship that develops between them henceforth is the rest of the story, narrated in the most enthralling and captivating manner. We are described about the culture of the village, which the women are from, and the enriched history about the family background and how the family came into being. With Kire's magical narrative structure, the pages run by without you having noticed.
Coming to the intriguing part of the story. It occurs in the second half, almost towards the end of the story when there is an astonishing revelation that will surely leave you mesmerised. But I think if you're smart and know about the author's reputation, you would know it coming. A perilous fate lures over the lives of the women and they must find a way to escape. This sets them on a magical and exhausting journey to save themselves and what happens next is the remainder of the story - Whether they were able to save themselves? Did they get back to their ordinary life from this magical journey? I would strongly urge you to read the book to find answers for these questions.
The book is slightly over hundred pages in length and quick to read. The readers would definitely embark on a mystical journey along with the courageous women in the story. If you're a fan of fantasy or magic, then Don't Run, My Love is an enchantment for you.
Verdict: A Mesmerizing Magical Tale About A Mother & Her Daughter!
Don't Run, My Love is a fiction novel from the author Easterine Kire. Having read her work, Son Of The Thundercloud earlier, I was impressed with the story telling and wanted to check out other books from her. This book is similar to Son Of The Thundercloud in many ways and narrates a fabulous tale blended with reality and magic.
The story begins with a mother, Visenuo and her daughter, Atuonuo, meeting a handsome stranger, Kevi, who offers them his support when it was much needed. The relationship that develops between them henceforth is the rest of the story, narrated in the most enthralling and captivating manner. We are described about the culture of the village, which the women are from, and the enriched history about the family background and how the family came into being. With Kire's magical narrative structure, the pages run by without you having noticed.
Coming to the intriguing part of the story. It occurs in the second half, almost towards the end of the story when there is an astonishing revelation that will surely leave you mesmerised. But I think if you're smart and know about the author's reputation, you would know it coming. A perilous fate lures over the lives of the women and they must find a way to escape. This sets them on a magical and exhausting journey to save themselves and what happens next is the remainder of the story - Whether they were able to save themselves? Did they get back to their ordinary life from this magical journey? I would strongly urge you to read the book to find answers for these questions.
The book is slightly over hundred pages in length and quick to read. The readers would definitely embark on a mystical journey along with the courageous women in the story. If you're a fan of fantasy or magic, then Don't Run, My Love is an enchantment for you.
Verdict: A Mesmerizing Magical Tale About A Mother & Her Daughter!
September 15, 2020
Rating: 4.5 🌟
The story is of a woman Visenuo and her young daughter Atuonuo who live peacefully in a village of Nagaland. They are part of a close knit farming community and the story presents us their life during the harvesting season.
One fateful day they meet Kevi, a charming handsome young hunter who lends them a helping hand in carrying sacks of grain. The stranger comes across as polite and likeable and goes on to further help them by offering a share of his hunts. Days pass by and finally one day he proposes marriage to Atuonuo, next comes a twist in the tale which did take me by surprise.
The novella comprises of a simple narrative technique which gives us a glimpse of the culture, beliefs and traditions of the region. The workings of the farming tribe along with the detailed description of the food is easy to imagine thanks to Kire's captivating writing style.
The magical folklore is framed with a modern touch to suit the sensibilities of the readers. I found Kire as a breath of fresh air and look forward to exploring more of her works.
The story is of a woman Visenuo and her young daughter Atuonuo who live peacefully in a village of Nagaland. They are part of a close knit farming community and the story presents us their life during the harvesting season.
One fateful day they meet Kevi, a charming handsome young hunter who lends them a helping hand in carrying sacks of grain. The stranger comes across as polite and likeable and goes on to further help them by offering a share of his hunts. Days pass by and finally one day he proposes marriage to Atuonuo, next comes a twist in the tale which did take me by surprise.
The novella comprises of a simple narrative technique which gives us a glimpse of the culture, beliefs and traditions of the region. The workings of the farming tribe along with the detailed description of the food is easy to imagine thanks to Kire's captivating writing style.
The magical folklore is framed with a modern touch to suit the sensibilities of the readers. I found Kire as a breath of fresh air and look forward to exploring more of her works.
August 19, 2020
Coincidentally, I read this at the same time as binge watching the American high school series Glee, so youthful fancy is on my mind. The pitfalls of youth, the attraction of gloss and glamour obfuscating the real dangers. Little did we know the dangers our youthful fancies would hold. But I suppose better to have explored those spaces - lust, love, luster - and to have felt the pain of disillusionment and betrayal than to only imagine what all of that is. That's what I take away from this beautiful story which whose location so beautiful resonates through the book, weaving a narrative both mythical and real. Just lovely!!
April 19, 2021
Now this book here, it is not just a fairytale. Yes it has magic, fantasy, and mythology; but it also brings out our society's obsession with marriage in a subtle and humorous way. I liked the portrayal of Atuonuo's mother, which was completely anti-aunty!
Though this book was refreshing, it missed depth and detailing. The second half of the book was rushed up and the ending seemed a bit abrupt. The story was good and I believe that it could have been made into a beautiful folktale.
Though this book was refreshing, it missed depth and detailing. The second half of the book was rushed up and the ending seemed a bit abrupt. The story was good and I believe that it could have been made into a beautiful folktale.
February 24, 2018
The last few chapters of the book, seem to be my favourite. People reading it for the first time have a read about the book online or reviews only after you reach a point in the story, otherwise it will disrupt your pace and environment while reading. The writer expresses situations beautifully,so as that I see and remember the major scenes from the book. A must read for everybody!
December 15, 2020
I loved the way this was written- it was very hard for me to put the book down, because chapters ended on such a wildly ambiguous note. Lovely introduction to literature from the North-East for me, I am very excited to begin this journey proper now. Would highly recommend to those looking for a quick, but beautiful read.
September 3, 2018
Interesting and intriguing magical concept. Teenagers especially girls should read these kinds of books to realise the reality instead of reading chicklits and lovey dubbey sugar-coated unrealistic romantic stuffs.
July 3, 2019
The premise of the book didn't hold the narrative together. The violence that drove the action of the protagonists, Atuonuo and Vizenuo, was condemnable but weakly established. What I did like about the book, however, was the author's context-building using Angami Naga culture and mythos.
March 13, 2018
Review to be updated this weekend.
April 13, 2018
Nice easy going and short novel.
July 2, 2018
nice book for a short read. It is pretty predictable and I would loved for it to go in a different direction. But other that that, pretty good!
September 24, 2021
What attracted me more is the Cover itself 📌
March 15, 2025
My first intro to Naga literature, and boy, I did not see that twist coming. Read like a dark fairy tale. I want to read more of Easterine Kire!
March 8, 2018
Just when I thought that stories are getting very predictable I stumbled upon 'Don't Run, My Love'. It is a short and quick read but an interesting one. It starts off as a simple story but takes an unusual twist. Yes, it is a 'Goodread'.
September 30, 2021
Easterine Kire's novela "Don't run, my love" is a story where the physical blends with the metaphysical in a magical way.
Here below is the link of my review of the book on Medium.
https://link.medium.com/JNfGJL8dYjb
Here below is the link of my review of the book on Medium.
https://link.medium.com/JNfGJL8dYjb
February 5, 2018
To start with the positives, the title cover was very interesting. Once the characters were strongly described, I was waiting for when the twist or something of that sort would come. Unfortunately it never came. I know it's a short story, but it is too swift and with nothing that could make it an interesting read. The only lines I liked and felt like remembering were about the description of happiness. That was the only instance this book felt good to me. It took me around 2hrs top to read this, and now I feel I've just lost those 2hrs for actually nothing.
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