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Split: A Life
Taslima Nasrin is known for her powerful writing on women's rights and uncompromising criticism of religious fundamentalism. This defiance on her part had led to the ban on the Bengali original of this book by the Left Front in West Bengal as well as the Government of Bangladesh in 2003. While the West Bengal government lifted the injunction after the ban was struck down by the Calcutta High Court in 2005, Nasrin was eventually driven out of Kolkata and forced to expunge passages from the book, besides facing a four-million-dollar defamation lawsuit. Bold and evocative, Split: A Life opens a window to the experiences and works of one of the bravest writers of our times.
- GenresNonfiction
503 pages, Hardcover
Published February 26, 2018
9 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Taslima Nasrin
131 books431 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2019
My inclination to read this book was solely due to the controversies around the book and the author. The book in totality is the experiences and revelations of life of Nasrin.
With a feeble narrative in the beginning, author has managed to grasp the reader’s nerve towards the end. The political sequence of events in Bangladesh during Babri masjid demolition and the catastrophe caused during, is thought provoking.
The extremely personal account of events shared in the book exhibit her fearlessness and blithe.
However, for me shielding names of people did not make sense at all instead it created chaos for the reader. Overall rating 3/5
With a feeble narrative in the beginning, author has managed to grasp the reader’s nerve towards the end. The political sequence of events in Bangladesh during Babri masjid demolition and the catastrophe caused during, is thought provoking.
The extremely personal account of events shared in the book exhibit her fearlessness and blithe.
However, for me shielding names of people did not make sense at all instead it created chaos for the reader. Overall rating 3/5
July 10, 2019
Very poor narration ......no essence of history ...background and context ...appeared more Like a road side novel
She should take classes in literature writing .....and what her intent was through the book os absolutely vague
Her writing did not leave any impact on my mind apart from that she tried to narrate an uncoordinated and integrated story which was flying everywhere but no absolute conclusion
She should take classes in literature writing .....and what her intent was through the book os absolutely vague
Her writing did not leave any impact on my mind apart from that she tried to narrate an uncoordinated and integrated story which was flying everywhere but no absolute conclusion
November 29, 2024
Translated from the original Bengali Dwikhandito (Split in two), this book was banned by the Leftist government in West Bengal in 2003 on the ground of hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. The ruling was overturned in 2005 by the High Court but by then, Taslima had been pressured to leave Kolkata, a city she considered her second home after Dhaka, which she had left in 1994. She can return to neither city.
Kolkata was not the first time she faced defamation, humiliation and ban—even physical harrassment--because of her writings. After Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasrin made Bangladesh join the list of countries in the subcontinent that bowed down to religious fundamentalists at the cost of their artists. She has been in self-exile from her country since she was 32, due to a death threat (fatwa) allegedly prompted by her life --feminist writings in newspapers, stand on sexual freedom for women, the novel Lajja (Shame), and events in Bangladesh following the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. Since then, Taslima has lived sporadically in India and Europe for 24 years, and has a home in Delhi under a renewable temporary residence permit.
Parts of Split were expunged and invited expensive lawsuits, still unsettled. Even this translation has dropped some sensitive portions and names. The 500-page volume is only the second of the seven memoirs of this author who started her life as a doctor, a feminist and poet, and covers two decades. According to Taslima, one cannot be a feminist and religious at the same time, especially among Muslims, because religious texts, in particular their exposition by religious leaders, do not accord women equal respect as human beings as they do to men. In fact, I would extend this to all religious texts in general.
Reading Split, one is awed by the mistreatment Taslima faced from almost all the men that were important in her life, beginning with her father. This happened to her although she was well-read, a practising physician, and a poet, acclaimed for her brave, fresh voice, secular values, and championing of the poor and minorities. Through her years of growing up in Mymensingh, work and personal life in Dhaka, and the trials and tribulations that followed, she depicts how she tried to live a honest and true life, not as a woman but as a human, advcating for women and not against anyone, which still meant going against religion and society. But the confusion, hurt and anger that she felt, especially the ostracization and torture by her own family, also led her to often make errors of judgement and choose the wrong men to support and seek protection from. Despite a phenomenal knowledge of history and society, Taslima often sounds surprised and bitter by the turn of events, when she should have been aware, cautious, careful and wise.
Yet, the anger, mostly at the religious old men and how they were perpetuating the dark ages for Bangladeshi women, is also raw and honest and exposes her extreme vulnerability alongside the power of her convictions. This is the reason it moves the reader even 15 years later (disclosure: I read it in Bengali long ago). Split impresses not just because of the turn of events that she records so faithfully and perhaps too meticulously, but more because her voice and reality are still relevant. Translated adequately by Maharghya Chakraborty, the book is painstaking to plough through—with Taslima, it is never how she says it, but what; she never dresses up what she says. But it remains an important record of the fate of those who dare to walk the road of truth, the rebels and the revolutionaries who try to change society and right historical wrongs!
Through her writing, Taslima says, “I tried to reaffirm that a woman's body and her heart were her own and not someone else's property to treat as they pleased.” Most religious texts do not give women the right to their bodies; as a reproduction medium to perpetuate the family, the womb is sacred, and therefore sexual liberation is taboo.
This is precisely why Taslima hasn't had an unalloyed claim to fame and is not revered among many women, while she universally should be. Her bluntness and sexual liberation have earned her enemies in the feminist as well as Leftist camps. She has also been labelled as an attention-seeker, and her propensity to victimise herself has even lost her a few friends. Yet, these qualities would have sat comfortably on a male writer in a similar situation—Rushdie's life stories are more celebrity news than salacious gossip and sniggering. “It is time women write their own stories. It is not for men to write about women’s pleasure and pain,” she said once, and rightly.
Simone de Beauvoir said patriarchy or gender ideologies dictate that, to discriminate, it is important to “otherise” women. This, like race or caste, informs the core of conflicts between cultures, and is key to developing a national identity. Gayatri Chakravarti Spivak questioned how the subaltern had been silenced, gender being one of the subalterns. Taslima, despite being from the elite, educated class, became one of the subalterns by questioning the way women had been taught to think about themselves, their body and mind, and their role in family and society. Even though we don't acknowledge it, subalternisation happens everyday to each of us, even the women who try to become CEO and fail.
Taslima can never return to Bangladesh where Islamization is increasing, and bloggers are being killed. Even the current Muslim-friendly government in Bengal must abide by its political friends and constituencies. The fatwa did help the fundamentalists; in 24 years, we haven't heard of another Bangladeshi female voice like Taslima's. Nor, for that matter, in India. It is therefore essential that this voice is not tamed.
(Published in Financial Express, India, April, 2018)
Kolkata was not the first time she faced defamation, humiliation and ban—even physical harrassment--because of her writings. After Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasrin made Bangladesh join the list of countries in the subcontinent that bowed down to religious fundamentalists at the cost of their artists. She has been in self-exile from her country since she was 32, due to a death threat (fatwa) allegedly prompted by her life --feminist writings in newspapers, stand on sexual freedom for women, the novel Lajja (Shame), and events in Bangladesh following the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. Since then, Taslima has lived sporadically in India and Europe for 24 years, and has a home in Delhi under a renewable temporary residence permit.
Parts of Split were expunged and invited expensive lawsuits, still unsettled. Even this translation has dropped some sensitive portions and names. The 500-page volume is only the second of the seven memoirs of this author who started her life as a doctor, a feminist and poet, and covers two decades. According to Taslima, one cannot be a feminist and religious at the same time, especially among Muslims, because religious texts, in particular their exposition by religious leaders, do not accord women equal respect as human beings as they do to men. In fact, I would extend this to all religious texts in general.
Reading Split, one is awed by the mistreatment Taslima faced from almost all the men that were important in her life, beginning with her father. This happened to her although she was well-read, a practising physician, and a poet, acclaimed for her brave, fresh voice, secular values, and championing of the poor and minorities. Through her years of growing up in Mymensingh, work and personal life in Dhaka, and the trials and tribulations that followed, she depicts how she tried to live a honest and true life, not as a woman but as a human, advcating for women and not against anyone, which still meant going against religion and society. But the confusion, hurt and anger that she felt, especially the ostracization and torture by her own family, also led her to often make errors of judgement and choose the wrong men to support and seek protection from. Despite a phenomenal knowledge of history and society, Taslima often sounds surprised and bitter by the turn of events, when she should have been aware, cautious, careful and wise.
Yet, the anger, mostly at the religious old men and how they were perpetuating the dark ages for Bangladeshi women, is also raw and honest and exposes her extreme vulnerability alongside the power of her convictions. This is the reason it moves the reader even 15 years later (disclosure: I read it in Bengali long ago). Split impresses not just because of the turn of events that she records so faithfully and perhaps too meticulously, but more because her voice and reality are still relevant. Translated adequately by Maharghya Chakraborty, the book is painstaking to plough through—with Taslima, it is never how she says it, but what; she never dresses up what she says. But it remains an important record of the fate of those who dare to walk the road of truth, the rebels and the revolutionaries who try to change society and right historical wrongs!
Through her writing, Taslima says, “I tried to reaffirm that a woman's body and her heart were her own and not someone else's property to treat as they pleased.” Most religious texts do not give women the right to their bodies; as a reproduction medium to perpetuate the family, the womb is sacred, and therefore sexual liberation is taboo.
This is precisely why Taslima hasn't had an unalloyed claim to fame and is not revered among many women, while she universally should be. Her bluntness and sexual liberation have earned her enemies in the feminist as well as Leftist camps. She has also been labelled as an attention-seeker, and her propensity to victimise herself has even lost her a few friends. Yet, these qualities would have sat comfortably on a male writer in a similar situation—Rushdie's life stories are more celebrity news than salacious gossip and sniggering. “It is time women write their own stories. It is not for men to write about women’s pleasure and pain,” she said once, and rightly.
Simone de Beauvoir said patriarchy or gender ideologies dictate that, to discriminate, it is important to “otherise” women. This, like race or caste, informs the core of conflicts between cultures, and is key to developing a national identity. Gayatri Chakravarti Spivak questioned how the subaltern had been silenced, gender being one of the subalterns. Taslima, despite being from the elite, educated class, became one of the subalterns by questioning the way women had been taught to think about themselves, their body and mind, and their role in family and society. Even though we don't acknowledge it, subalternisation happens everyday to each of us, even the women who try to become CEO and fail.
Taslima can never return to Bangladesh where Islamization is increasing, and bloggers are being killed. Even the current Muslim-friendly government in Bengal must abide by its political friends and constituencies. The fatwa did help the fundamentalists; in 24 years, we haven't heard of another Bangladeshi female voice like Taslima's. Nor, for that matter, in India. It is therefore essential that this voice is not tamed.
(Published in Financial Express, India, April, 2018)
April 6, 2021
my thesis will be my review
stay tuned
stay tuned
April 17, 2022
I will be the first to admit I had no idea who Taslima Nasrin was. I am however glad I did learn about her. It is a humbling story of a everyday struggles with actual realizations and thoughts that forced me to ponder over my own life. Religion was a topic which was taboo to discuss and its a shame, things haven't really changed. Its a good read and I will read more of her work, especially her most controversial piece.
December 20, 2023
Taslima Nasrin's life, chronicled in her bold writings, becomes a narrative of challenges faced as a woman challenging monotheism and advocating for women's rights. Living most of her life in exile due to her fearless critiques, Nasrin reveals her experiences and struggles in a restrictive environment. Her honest and unapologetic voice calls for truth and freedom, resisting societal norms that perpetuate injustices against women. Despite facing opposition, she remains devoted to her cause, using her writing to bring fundamentalists to their knees. As a physician, Nasrin's life becomes a powerful testament to her commitment to humanity, transcending even personal sacrifice.
The author consistently underscores the dichotomies of public service, exploring its positives and negatives, joys and sorrows, and the juxtaposition of emotional resilience with stoicism. She grapples with the emotional toll of medical practice, contemplating the juxtaposition of patients recovering against the backdrop of loss. The pervasive greed for wealth in the world is reflected in the author's stark self-assessment, describing her own reflection as "so ugly it appears," influenced by the norms and values of her cultural background. Despite the prevailing greed, the author expresses admiration for those who find value in living for the present rather than speculating on rebirth. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in the current life and applauds those who dedicate themselves to society with compassion and a commitment to uplifting rather than enslaving.
The author, while pointing out human mistakes, often excuses them in the name of God, defending actions as either positive or negative (Pp.9). As a medical specialist, the author transparently addresses the challenges faced by poor women, including poverty, vulnerability, sterilization, forced pregnancy, and lack of family planning. Optimism, according to the author, plays a crucial role in overcoming obstacles in relationships and societal interactions, citing personal experiences as evidence of its power. The review highlights the author's perspective on men's dishonesty, splitting their lives for extreme desires with other partners.
The unbearable pain of witnessing a child treated as a slave within the same household is depicted in a poignant poem (Pp.34), emphasizing the silent power of certain verses. indeed, some poems speak silently. “unforgivable failures have piled high and become a mountain, with a valley of golden indolence demons”. The author skillfully voices emotions, feelings, and political sentiments through poems, addressing unforgivable failures and cultural barriers, attempting to break conservative norms. Soft power, the review suggests, can bring progress by countering untruth, injustice, and obscurity, envisioning a world where the carrot of positive change prevails over the stick.
Social security and legal protection are portrayed as comical in the present, and the review calls for trust, respect, and solidarity between genders, “if you wish to go, go I will be the path under your feet”. The noble purpose of human life (“with(out), with(in)”), as mentioned in ancient Tamil literature, involves the harmonious coexistence of physical and psychological aspects, body and soul, anatomy and heart. The author's contemplation on eternal love and the blending of chromosomes for both physical strength and romanticism resonates deeply with the reviewer.
“my thirsty skin, on edge
begs and whimpers for the sea.
he sets me on flames.
the impotent man turns over and sleeps,
parched”
The author discusses the concept of a "Happy Life," emphasizing its subjective and multifaceted nature. Generally, it is associated with a state of well-being, contentment, and fulfillment. The attainment of these attributes is proposed through the practice of gratitude and acts of kindness and love. However, the narrative takes a poignant turn as it delves into the pervasive issue of poverty, portraying a darker side where individuals, driven by desperation, resort to selling blood, kidneys, eyes, and other organs for survival.
The author draws on personal experiences, recounting a visit to an art exhibition a decade ago. Two particular paintings left an indelible mark on their memory, one depicting a mother sharing her breast milk with another mother's baby, and the second depicting an asylum mother nourishing her baby with blood from a cut on her figure to alleviate the child's cries. These haunting images raise a profound question. In the face of such stark realities, where does the concept of a "Happy Life" find its place?
This thought-provoking exploration challenges readers to reflect on the stark disparities in life experiences and prompts a reconsideration of what constitutes a truly happy and fulfilling existence in the face of societal challenges and human suffering.
"Split a Life" is an enthralling journey that seamlessly weaves together the threads of love, loss, and self-discovery. The author's narrative prowess is evident throughout, creating a poignant and emotionally charged tapestry that captivates readers from start to finish. The characters are impeccably developed, each contributing a unique hue to the overall canvas of the story. As the plot unfolds, the intricate layers of the protagonist's life unravel, revealing a rich tapestry of human experience.
What sets "Split a Life" apart is its ability to resonate on a deeply personal level with readers. The themes explored identity, resilience, and the transformative power of time-are universal, making the narrative relatable and thought-provoking. The prose is both lyrical and evocative, elevating the storytelling to a literary zenith.
In the concluding chapters, the author masterfully ties up loose ends, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment and introspection. The resolution is both satisfying and profound, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the human spirit. "Split a Life" is not merely a book; it is a meditation on life's myriad experiences, a mirror reflecting the intricacies of our own existence.
In the grand tapestry of literature, "Split a Life" stands as a testament to the author's ability to craft a narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and genre. It is a book that lingers in the mind, inviting readers to contemplate the nuances of their own lives. With its powerful storytelling and emotional resonance, "Split a Life" is destined to leave an indelible mark on the literary landscape. I am grateful to my friend/colleague Yasodhara Kapuge for enriching my literary journey by lending me such a captivating and thought-provoking book.
The author consistently underscores the dichotomies of public service, exploring its positives and negatives, joys and sorrows, and the juxtaposition of emotional resilience with stoicism. She grapples with the emotional toll of medical practice, contemplating the juxtaposition of patients recovering against the backdrop of loss. The pervasive greed for wealth in the world is reflected in the author's stark self-assessment, describing her own reflection as "so ugly it appears," influenced by the norms and values of her cultural background. Despite the prevailing greed, the author expresses admiration for those who find value in living for the present rather than speculating on rebirth. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in the current life and applauds those who dedicate themselves to society with compassion and a commitment to uplifting rather than enslaving.
The author, while pointing out human mistakes, often excuses them in the name of God, defending actions as either positive or negative (Pp.9). As a medical specialist, the author transparently addresses the challenges faced by poor women, including poverty, vulnerability, sterilization, forced pregnancy, and lack of family planning. Optimism, according to the author, plays a crucial role in overcoming obstacles in relationships and societal interactions, citing personal experiences as evidence of its power. The review highlights the author's perspective on men's dishonesty, splitting their lives for extreme desires with other partners.
The unbearable pain of witnessing a child treated as a slave within the same household is depicted in a poignant poem (Pp.34), emphasizing the silent power of certain verses. indeed, some poems speak silently. “unforgivable failures have piled high and become a mountain, with a valley of golden indolence demons”. The author skillfully voices emotions, feelings, and political sentiments through poems, addressing unforgivable failures and cultural barriers, attempting to break conservative norms. Soft power, the review suggests, can bring progress by countering untruth, injustice, and obscurity, envisioning a world where the carrot of positive change prevails over the stick.
Social security and legal protection are portrayed as comical in the present, and the review calls for trust, respect, and solidarity between genders, “if you wish to go, go I will be the path under your feet”. The noble purpose of human life (“with(out), with(in)”), as mentioned in ancient Tamil literature, involves the harmonious coexistence of physical and psychological aspects, body and soul, anatomy and heart. The author's contemplation on eternal love and the blending of chromosomes for both physical strength and romanticism resonates deeply with the reviewer.
“my thirsty skin, on edge
begs and whimpers for the sea.
he sets me on flames.
the impotent man turns over and sleeps,
parched”
The author discusses the concept of a "Happy Life," emphasizing its subjective and multifaceted nature. Generally, it is associated with a state of well-being, contentment, and fulfillment. The attainment of these attributes is proposed through the practice of gratitude and acts of kindness and love. However, the narrative takes a poignant turn as it delves into the pervasive issue of poverty, portraying a darker side where individuals, driven by desperation, resort to selling blood, kidneys, eyes, and other organs for survival.
The author draws on personal experiences, recounting a visit to an art exhibition a decade ago. Two particular paintings left an indelible mark on their memory, one depicting a mother sharing her breast milk with another mother's baby, and the second depicting an asylum mother nourishing her baby with blood from a cut on her figure to alleviate the child's cries. These haunting images raise a profound question. In the face of such stark realities, where does the concept of a "Happy Life" find its place?
This thought-provoking exploration challenges readers to reflect on the stark disparities in life experiences and prompts a reconsideration of what constitutes a truly happy and fulfilling existence in the face of societal challenges and human suffering.
"Split a Life" is an enthralling journey that seamlessly weaves together the threads of love, loss, and self-discovery. The author's narrative prowess is evident throughout, creating a poignant and emotionally charged tapestry that captivates readers from start to finish. The characters are impeccably developed, each contributing a unique hue to the overall canvas of the story. As the plot unfolds, the intricate layers of the protagonist's life unravel, revealing a rich tapestry of human experience.
What sets "Split a Life" apart is its ability to resonate on a deeply personal level with readers. The themes explored identity, resilience, and the transformative power of time-are universal, making the narrative relatable and thought-provoking. The prose is both lyrical and evocative, elevating the storytelling to a literary zenith.
In the concluding chapters, the author masterfully ties up loose ends, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment and introspection. The resolution is both satisfying and profound, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the human spirit. "Split a Life" is not merely a book; it is a meditation on life's myriad experiences, a mirror reflecting the intricacies of our own existence.
In the grand tapestry of literature, "Split a Life" stands as a testament to the author's ability to craft a narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and genre. It is a book that lingers in the mind, inviting readers to contemplate the nuances of their own lives. With its powerful storytelling and emotional resonance, "Split a Life" is destined to leave an indelible mark on the literary landscape. I am grateful to my friend/colleague Yasodhara Kapuge for enriching my literary journey by lending me such a captivating and thought-provoking book.
May 14, 2018
An emotional, heart-tugging read of the controversial writer's life and times.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews