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Trial by Silence
ONE AMAZING STORY. TWO DIFFERENT ENDINGS.At the end of Perumal Murugan's trailblazing novel One Part Woman, readers are left on a cliffhanger as Kali and Ponna's intense love for each other is torn to shreds. What is going to happen next to this beloved couple?In Trial by Silence-one of two inventive sequels that picks up the story right where One Part Woman ends-Kali is determined to punish Ponna for what he believes is an absolute betrayal. But Ponna is equally upset at being forced to atone for something that was not her fault. In the wake of the temple festival, both must now confront harsh new uncertainties in their once idyllic life together.In Murugan's magical hands, this story reaches a surprising and dramatic conclusion.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
45 people are currently reading
1096 people want to read
About the author
Perumal Murugan
98 books393 followersPrimary profile for this author.
Do NOT merge author profiles in different languages/spelling.
Per GR policy, books published in another language/script should have the name on that book as secondary author, with Perumal Murugan as primary author.
Perumal Murugan is a well-known contemporary Tamil writer and poet. He was written six novels, four collections of short stories and four anthologies of poetry. Three of his novels have been translated into English to wide acclaim: Seasons of the Palm, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Kiriyama Award in 2005, Current Show, and most recently, One Part Woman. He has received awards from the Tamil Nadu government as well as from Katha Books.
Do NOT merge author profiles in different languages/spelling.
Per GR policy, books published in another language/script should have the name on that book as secondary author, with Perumal Murugan as primary author.
Perumal Murugan is a well-known contemporary Tamil writer and poet. He was written six novels, four collections of short stories and four anthologies of poetry. Three of his novels have been translated into English to wide acclaim: Seasons of the Palm, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Kiriyama Award in 2005, Current Show, and most recently, One Part Woman. He has received awards from the Tamil Nadu government as well as from Katha Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 13, 2021
"Every Story has a counter. Young men used to tell these stories but this how it is generally. If we set a norm, there will always be a way to violate it. The norm is what looks clear and bright to us. The violation is hushed and hidden."
Cliff-hanger ending of One Part Woman made me jump into the sequel "Trial by Silence" where we see Kali deciding to punish Ponna with his silence for the night she spent in Temple Festival.
What is amazing is how the author engages readers with details of fields, crops, people, folklore and regional cultural attributes against the backdrop even as the emotional turmoil of the protagonists runs through the storyline. However the distinct style ( common thread in the two books I've read) of Perumal Murugan continues in this book too, where he uses the first 60-70% of the book to non-chalantly move at snail's pace and last few pages are rushed to a yet another cliff-hanger.
So, the book did not culminate and has just left scope for a continuation which was a tad bit disappointing, but overall a recommended read for the way the author balances people, topics, emotions and his moral takeaways in his novels!
Cliff-hanger ending of One Part Woman made me jump into the sequel "Trial by Silence" where we see Kali deciding to punish Ponna with his silence for the night she spent in Temple Festival.
What is amazing is how the author engages readers with details of fields, crops, people, folklore and regional cultural attributes against the backdrop even as the emotional turmoil of the protagonists runs through the storyline. However the distinct style ( common thread in the two books I've read) of Perumal Murugan continues in this book too, where he uses the first 60-70% of the book to non-chalantly move at snail's pace and last few pages are rushed to a yet another cliff-hanger.
So, the book did not culminate and has just left scope for a continuation which was a tad bit disappointing, but overall a recommended read for the way the author balances people, topics, emotions and his moral takeaways in his novels!
September 20, 2019
I loved One part woman and I am a fan of Murugan's writing as you all know by now. One part woman had an open ending which almost felt like a cliffhanger and I was constantly thinking about what happened to Kali and Ponna. I was thinking of all possible scenarios and my poor husband had to listen to all my frustrated rants about the book. When I came to know about the two sequels of One part woman, with two possible endings from Kali and Ponna's perspectives, I felt at peace (I know I am being dramatic, but I can't help)
~
'Trial by silence' is the continuation of One part woman in the wake of the temple festival, Maadhorubagan, where any consenting man and woman can have sex and all rules are broken for the night. Ponna sleeps with a man in the hope to be blessed with a child. Both (Kali and Ponna) have been tricked into believing that this is going in with each other's consent. Kali comes to know about Ponna going to the festival and in anguish, tries to commit suicide and is stopped by his mother. Ponna comes to know that she is tricked as well and she runs to Kali guilt ridden.
A recurring theme in this book is the double standards that soceity has set for men and women. Kali, who had visited the festival earlier many times, gets enraged when Ponna does the same and doesn't waste any minute to label her as a whore. I believe that it is his insecurity, that another person was able to satisfy his wife in a way I cannot.
~
I was left in a trance, as usual after reading Murugan's other books, and I was amazed at the brilliant undertones of this book. It definitely had a much better closure than One part woman and I have to read the next, A lonely harvest, to compare. I'll report back when I am done.
~
The ending was not so gut wrenching, like Murugan's other books, and I am thankful for that. I still think you have to read One part woman before this to understand the bigger picture, however this book does highlight the important events of the previous book.
4.5⭐
~
'Trial by silence' is the continuation of One part woman in the wake of the temple festival, Maadhorubagan, where any consenting man and woman can have sex and all rules are broken for the night. Ponna sleeps with a man in the hope to be blessed with a child. Both (Kali and Ponna) have been tricked into believing that this is going in with each other's consent. Kali comes to know about Ponna going to the festival and in anguish, tries to commit suicide and is stopped by his mother. Ponna comes to know that she is tricked as well and she runs to Kali guilt ridden.
A recurring theme in this book is the double standards that soceity has set for men and women. Kali, who had visited the festival earlier many times, gets enraged when Ponna does the same and doesn't waste any minute to label her as a whore. I believe that it is his insecurity, that another person was able to satisfy his wife in a way I cannot.
~
I was left in a trance, as usual after reading Murugan's other books, and I was amazed at the brilliant undertones of this book. It definitely had a much better closure than One part woman and I have to read the next, A lonely harvest, to compare. I'll report back when I am done.
~
The ending was not so gut wrenching, like Murugan's other books, and I am thankful for that. I still think you have to read One part woman before this to understand the bigger picture, however this book does highlight the important events of the previous book.
4.5⭐
June 10, 2017
This book starts from the final stunt that took place in Maadhorubaagan. This book is a 2b and starts with What if the ending is different and hence the book starts.
Same template as the first 2 books and in the 2a Ponna alone would be suffering the distress in this the Author decided to push both Ponna and Kali apart and play mind games.
Premise of the story is good but as the previous 2 books the first 100 pages were crawling in snail pace whereas the next 30 to 40 pages took a turtle pace. Last 50 pages were a bit more faster then the rest.
I pushed myself to read the book and I really couldn't finish it with whole heart but did so for the sake of it. A below average book compared to the other two
Same template as the first 2 books and in the 2a Ponna alone would be suffering the distress in this the Author decided to push both Ponna and Kali apart and play mind games.
Premise of the story is good but as the previous 2 books the first 100 pages were crawling in snail pace whereas the next 30 to 40 pages took a turtle pace. Last 50 pages were a bit more faster then the rest.
I pushed myself to read the book and I really couldn't finish it with whole heart but did so for the sake of it. A below average book compared to the other two
March 4, 2023
ஒருவரின் மன முதிர்ச்சிக்கு அவர் வாழும் கால கட்டம், அவர் பழகும் நண்பர்கள்/உறவுகள் வட்டம், அவர் எதிர்கொள்ளும் சவால்கள், ஏமாற்றங்கள், வெற்றிகள் முக்கிய பங்களிக்கிறது.
அம்மாவால் தடுக்கப்பட்ட பின் வாழ்ந்தாக வேண்டி வாழ முயற்சிக்கும் காளியின் மன நிலை, அவனின் எண்ண ஓட்டம் தான் அர்த்த நாரி நாவல் முழுவதுமே.
பொன்னாவை மன்னிக்க முடியாமல் அல்லது மன்னிக்க தெரியாமல் உழலும் காளி, நல்லையனுடன் மேற்கொள்ளும் குறுகிய பயணத்தில் பெரும் எண்ண மாற்றங்களை சந்திக்கிறான். வீடு திரும்பியதும் மாறுகிறானா?
பொன்னாவின் பிரியம் இப்படிப்பட்டது. காளியிடம் இதே மாதிரி பிரியத்தை எதிர்பார்ப்பது நியாயம் தான்.
நல்லெண்ணத்தினால் உந்தப்பட்டு அண்ணன் சொல்லிய பொய் வார்த்தையை நம்பி இறங்கிய செயலுக்குபின், ஏமாற்றப்பட்டதை உணர்ந்தவுடன் எல்லாவற்றையும் தூக்கி எறிந்துவிட்டு காளிக்கு காத்திருந்து காத்திருந்து அவள் பயணிக்கும் காலம் வெகுதூரம்.
தன்னுள் உருவாகும் உயிரை அது உயிர்க்கும் தருணத்தை பொன்னா உணருவதை எழுத்தாக்கிய இடம் வெகு சிறப்பு!
பொன்னாவை பாதியாய் கொள்ளும் அர்த்தநாரியாய் ஆக காளிக்கு வாய்ப்பு இருக்கிறதா?
அம்மாவால் தடுக்கப்பட்ட பின் வாழ்ந்தாக வேண்டி வாழ முயற்சிக்கும் காளியின் மன நிலை, அவனின் எண்ண ஓட்டம் தான் அர்த்த நாரி நாவல் முழுவதுமே.
பொன்னாவை மன்னிக்க முடியாமல் அல்லது மன்னிக்க தெரியாமல் உழலும் காளி, நல்லையனுடன் மேற்கொள்ளும் குறுகிய பயணத்தில் பெரும் எண்ண மாற்றங்களை சந்திக்கிறான். வீடு திரும்பியதும் மாறுகிறானா?
மனதுக்குப் பிரியமானவர்கள் செய்பவை ஒருபோதும் தப்பாகத் தோன்றுவதே இல்லை. அப்படியே தோன்றினாலும் அது எத்தனை பெரிய தப்பாக இருந்தாலும் நெற்றியில் வந்து விழும் மயிரை அசட்டையாக விரல் ஒதுக்குகிற மாதிரி தள்ளிவிடுகிறது பிரியம்.
பொன்னாவின் பிரியம் இப்படிப்பட்டது. காளியிடம் இதே மாதிரி பிரியத்தை எதிர்பார்ப்பது நியாயம் தான்.
நல்லெண்ணத்தினால் உந்தப்பட்டு அண்ணன் சொல்லிய பொய் வார்த்தையை நம்பி இறங்கிய செயலுக்குபின், ஏமாற்றப்பட்டதை உணர்ந்தவுடன் எல்லாவற்றையும் தூக்கி எறிந்துவிட்டு காளிக்கு காத்திருந்து காத்திருந்து அவள் பயணிக்கும் காலம் வெகுதூரம்.
தன்னுள் உருவாகும் உயிரை அது உயிர்க்கும் தருணத்தை பொன்னா உணருவதை எழுத்தாக்கிய இடம் வெகு சிறப்பு!
பொன்னாவை பாதியாய் கொள்ளும் அர்த்தநாரியாய் ஆக காளிக்கு வாய்ப்பு இருக்கிறதா?
December 7, 2018
The problem with having such a great first part and then writing the next to the series is that the sequels may never live up to the original. This series has been like that for me. There was something completely mesmerizing about the Madhorubagan that is lost in both versions of its sequel - Arthanaari and Aalavaayan.
*spoilers ahead*
Maybe we start feeling this sense of disconnect from Kali. I can identify with the source of his anger but I could not understand why he was being so stubborn. And I hated that he retreated completely after coming so close to reconciliation after his trip to foreign lands. It almost made the parts where he was away and all these little folk stories irrelevant to the complete plot. This was also a source of drear for me. There were a lot of digressions. This was the case for Madhorobagan too. But there these side stories added colour and increased the depth of the plot. Here it felt like a case of just hitting on the same points again and again - yes, we understand it is common practice for the God to bless infertile couples with babies. If these stories had led to some sort of revelation for Kali and led him to progress on to accepting Ponna, maybe there would have been a point to it. But given the fact that there was no major upheaval or whatever was there swiftly reverted back, it was just a disappointment.
Having said all this though, Perumal Murugan still manages to keep us engaged. The characters still pull and tug at you. Seera's back story and the problems she had faced were very touching. And Ponna still remains a very well-etched female character with a lot of strength to her. To see her almost breaking apart and then gathering herself over and over was just simply beautiful. Kali, as mentioned earlier, was the let down. It somehow did not feel like this was the Kali that we had known and loved through the first part. I could understand him being this patriarchal swine but he'd seemed so above all that before that his downfall was just all the more irritating. And I hated that he did not have any redemption for his anger.
Overall, this was a good read. But definitely does not reach the heights of Madhorubagan.
*spoilers ahead*
Maybe we start feeling this sense of disconnect from Kali. I can identify with the source of his anger but I could not understand why he was being so stubborn. And I hated that he retreated completely after coming so close to reconciliation after his trip to foreign lands. It almost made the parts where he was away and all these little folk stories irrelevant to the complete plot. This was also a source of drear for me. There were a lot of digressions. This was the case for Madhorobagan too. But there these side stories added colour and increased the depth of the plot. Here it felt like a case of just hitting on the same points again and again - yes, we understand it is common practice for the God to bless infertile couples with babies. If these stories had led to some sort of revelation for Kali and led him to progress on to accepting Ponna, maybe there would have been a point to it. But given the fact that there was no major upheaval or whatever was there swiftly reverted back, it was just a disappointment.
Having said all this though, Perumal Murugan still manages to keep us engaged. The characters still pull and tug at you. Seera's back story and the problems she had faced were very touching. And Ponna still remains a very well-etched female character with a lot of strength to her. To see her almost breaking apart and then gathering herself over and over was just simply beautiful. Kali, as mentioned earlier, was the let down. It somehow did not feel like this was the Kali that we had known and loved through the first part. I could understand him being this patriarchal swine but he'd seemed so above all that before that his downfall was just all the more irritating. And I hated that he did not have any redemption for his anger.
Overall, this was a good read. But definitely does not reach the heights of Madhorubagan.
May 23, 2023
I'm addicted to his books! I couldn't stop myself after reading Pyre by Perumal Murugan. I quickly completed "One part woman" and ever since then it seems like I'm quietly gravitating towards every book this author has ever written.
Captivating. Painful. Enchanting at the same time. Once again , I liked this every bit much as "One part woman" or even more. I just can't focus on anything else while I'm reading any work by Perumal Murugan. Seems like I'll be reading "A lonely harvest" next.
Captivating. Painful. Enchanting at the same time. Once again , I liked this every bit much as "One part woman" or even more. I just can't focus on anything else while I'm reading any work by Perumal Murugan. Seems like I'll be reading "A lonely harvest" next.
January 22, 2025
ഞാൻ വായിക്കുന്ന പെരുമാൾ മുരുകന്റെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ പുസ്തകമാണ് അർദ്ധനാരി..
സാമൂഹിക അനാചാരങ്ങൾക്കെതിരെ സ്വന്തം കൃതികളെ ആയുധമാക്കുന്ന എഴുത്തുകാരനാണ് പെരുമാൾ മുരുകൻ.. അദ്ദേഹം രചിച്ച "പൂനാച്ചി" എന്ന നോവൽ വായിച്ചപ്പോൾ അതെനിക്ക് ബോധ്യമായതാണ്...
"അർദ്ധനാരി" എന്ന ഈ നോവലും സമൂഹത്തിലെ മറ്റൊരു ദുരാചാരത്തെ ചോദ്യം ചെയ്ത് കൊണ്ട് രചിച്ച ഒന്നാണ്.. തമിഴ്നാട്ടിലെ ഒരുൾനാടൻ ഗ്രാമത്തിലെ അർദ്ധനാരീശ്വര ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ രഥോത്സവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് കുട്ടികളില്ലാത്ത സ്ത്രീകൾക്ക് ഏതെങ്കിലും പുരുഷനാൽ ഗർഭധാരണം നടത്താമെന്ന ആചാരം, ഒരു സാധാരണ കുടുംബത്തിൽ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധികളാണ് ഇതിനാധാരം..
തുടക്കം മുതൽ ഒടുക്കം വരെയും ഇതൊരു ദുഃഖകഥയാണ്... വേദനയും നിരാശയും സ്നേഹരാഹിത്യവും ഒറ്റപ്പെടലും അനാഥത്വവും അപമാനവും അനുഭവിക്കുന്ന മനുഷ്യർ... അവരുടെ മാനസിക സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ.... പക്ഷേ വായനയിൽ ഒരിടത്തു പോലും പുസ്തകം മടക്കി വെക്കാൻ നമ്മുടെ മനസ്സ് അനുവദിക്കില്ല... കാളിയും പൊന്നയും മാരായിയും അവരുടെ കുടിലും വയലുമൊക്കെ നമ്മളോട് വളരെ ചേർന്നിരിക്കുന്നതായ അനുഭൂതി എഴുത്തിലൂടെ സൃഷ്ട്ടിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്...
ചില മഹത്താ�� പുസ്തകങ്ങളുടെ വിവർത്തനങ്ങൾ വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ നിരാശ അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്.. എന്നാൽ എടുത്തു പറയേണ്ട ഒന്ന് ഷാഫി ചെറുമാവിലായി എത്ര മനോഹരമായി ഇത് മലയാളത്തിലേക്ക് പരിഭാഷപെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ്..
അതും വായനയെ കൂടുതൽ ഹൃദ്യമാക്കി..
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📚Book - അർദ്ധനാരി
✒️Writer- പെരുമാൾ മുരുകൻ
📜Publisher- ചിന്ത പബ്ലിഷേഴ്സ്
സാമൂഹിക അനാചാരങ്ങൾക്കെതിരെ സ്വന്തം കൃതികളെ ആയുധമാക്കുന്ന എഴുത്തുകാരനാണ് പെരുമാൾ മുരുകൻ.. അദ്ദേഹം രചിച്ച "പൂനാച്ചി" എന്ന നോവൽ വായിച്ചപ്പോൾ അതെനിക്ക് ബോധ്യമായതാണ്...
"അർദ്ധനാരി" എന്ന ഈ നോവലും സമൂഹത്തിലെ മറ്റൊരു ദുരാചാരത്തെ ചോദ്യം ചെയ്ത് കൊണ്ട് രചിച്ച ഒന്നാണ്.. തമിഴ്നാട്ടിലെ ഒരുൾനാടൻ ഗ്രാമത്തിലെ അർദ്ധനാരീശ്വര ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ രഥോത്സവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് കുട്ടികളില്ലാത്ത സ്ത്രീകൾക്ക് ഏതെങ്കിലും പുരുഷനാൽ ഗർഭധാരണം നടത്താമെന്ന ആചാരം, ഒരു സാധാരണ കുടുംബത്തിൽ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധികളാണ് ഇതിനാധാരം..
തുടക്കം മുതൽ ഒടുക്കം വരെയും ഇതൊരു ദുഃഖകഥയാണ്... വേദനയും നിരാശയും സ്നേഹരാഹിത്യവും ഒറ്റപ്പെടലും അനാഥത്വവും അപമാനവും അനുഭവിക്കുന്ന മനുഷ്യർ... അവരുടെ മാനസിക സംഘർഷങ്ങൾ.... പക്ഷേ വായനയിൽ ഒരിടത്തു പോലും പുസ്തകം മടക്കി വെക്കാൻ നമ്മുടെ മനസ്സ് അനുവദിക്കില്ല... കാളിയും പൊന്നയും മാരായിയും അവരുടെ കുടിലും വയലുമൊക്കെ നമ്മളോട് വളരെ ചേർന്നിരിക്കുന്നതായ അനുഭൂതി എഴുത്തിലൂടെ സൃഷ്ട്ടിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്...
ചില മഹത്താ�� പുസ്തകങ്ങളുടെ വിവർത്തനങ്ങൾ വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ നിരാശ അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്.. എന്നാൽ എടുത്തു പറയേണ്ട ഒന്ന് ഷാഫി ചെറുമാവിലായി എത്ര മനോഹരമായി ഇത് മലയാളത്തിലേക്ക് പരിഭാഷപെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ്..
അതും വായനയെ കൂടുതൽ ഹൃദ്യമാക്കി..
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📚Book - അർദ്ധനാരി
✒️Writer- പെരുമാൾ മുരുകൻ
📜Publisher- ചിന്ത പബ്ലിഷേഴ്സ്
September 22, 2019
Perumal Murugan’s writings are always rooted in the earth and the soil and the lives of people who work in fields under tough conditions and are wrapped in their social beliefs and practices. This sequel carries forward the story of what happens after Ponna, a childless woman who is in a very loving marriage is tricked into heading to a socially sanctioned religious festival during which she can enter into a sexual relation with another man to beget a child.
‘Trail by Silence’ has Kali trying to commit suicide but gets thwarted after his mother Seerayi intervenes. Kali sets out to punish Ponna with his stony silence, part contempt and an unforgiving stance. It is Seerayi, Kali's mother who shines with her ready wit and support for her daughter in law with whom she has earlier never seen eye to eye. It is Seerayi who gently schemes so that the truth of Ponna’s pregnancy is not revealed.
The writing is rooted in the earth and the soil and the lives of people who work in fields under tough conditions and are wrapped in their social beliefs and practices. There is rough beauty in a tough life filled with back breaking work but filled with the small joys of life even as social sanctions box in people. Recommended
‘Trail by Silence’ has Kali trying to commit suicide but gets thwarted after his mother Seerayi intervenes. Kali sets out to punish Ponna with his stony silence, part contempt and an unforgiving stance. It is Seerayi, Kali's mother who shines with her ready wit and support for her daughter in law with whom she has earlier never seen eye to eye. It is Seerayi who gently schemes so that the truth of Ponna’s pregnancy is not revealed.
The writing is rooted in the earth and the soil and the lives of people who work in fields under tough conditions and are wrapped in their social beliefs and practices. There is rough beauty in a tough life filled with back breaking work but filled with the small joys of life even as social sanctions box in people. Recommended
January 14, 2020
4.5
This was the most awaited sequel that I had been waiting to read but almost took a year to choose which ending to go with, the ending where Kali is dead or the other one where they both survive and what turns their story would take. Finally, I ended up choosing the latter as I didn’t have the guts to read a sequel where one of my favourite characters was dead.
Well, even this story was heartbreaking enough. It was a story about an estranged couple though married. The story starts where the first book 'One part woman' ends. Every stage of this book kept me hooked I was so involved in the story that I wanted to somehow push Kali and Ponna in a room so that they could talk and clarify things, their silence was killing me. I could understand why Kali was so stubborn and ruthless with Ponna it’s quite natural after what happened between them but it was so hard to accept and to see both of them not together.
As the story progressed, it was interesting to see how strong and independent Seerayi (Kali’s Mother) and Ponna became and it was hear-warming to see their bonding. With no help from Kali ‘the man of the house’ these two women somehow managed everything under the sun. It shows how circumstances can make a person stronger.
About the writing, it was raw with no flowery words whatsoever the storytelling is quite straightforward. Yes, there were some unnecessary folk-tales in-between but I didn’t mind that much. It’s so beautiful to explore these parts of the world and their folk-tales their rigid customs and traditions through these books but as far as human beings are concerned they are the same no matter where they are from.
my book journal
This was the most awaited sequel that I had been waiting to read but almost took a year to choose which ending to go with, the ending where Kali is dead or the other one where they both survive and what turns their story would take. Finally, I ended up choosing the latter as I didn’t have the guts to read a sequel where one of my favourite characters was dead.
Well, even this story was heartbreaking enough. It was a story about an estranged couple though married. The story starts where the first book 'One part woman' ends. Every stage of this book kept me hooked I was so involved in the story that I wanted to somehow push Kali and Ponna in a room so that they could talk and clarify things, their silence was killing me. I could understand why Kali was so stubborn and ruthless with Ponna it’s quite natural after what happened between them but it was so hard to accept and to see both of them not together.
As the story progressed, it was interesting to see how strong and independent Seerayi (Kali’s Mother) and Ponna became and it was hear-warming to see their bonding. With no help from Kali ‘the man of the house’ these two women somehow managed everything under the sun. It shows how circumstances can make a person stronger.
About the writing, it was raw with no flowery words whatsoever the storytelling is quite straightforward. Yes, there were some unnecessary folk-tales in-between but I didn’t mind that much. It’s so beautiful to explore these parts of the world and their folk-tales their rigid customs and traditions through these books but as far as human beings are concerned they are the same no matter where they are from.
my book journal
June 8, 2021
மாதொருபாகன் முடிவில் காளி சாக முடிவு செய்கிறான். அதுவே அர்த்தநாரியின் தொடக்கம்.
தன்னளவில் முழுமை பெற்ற மாதொருபாகன் முடிவில் இரு வேறு கோணங்களாக பிரிகிறது.
சாக போகும் காளியை தாய் மாராயி காப்பாற்றிகிறாள் அங்கிருந்து கதை தொடங்குகிறது.காளியும் பொன்னாவும் திருமணமாகி பன்னிரண்டு ஆண்டுகளாக குழந்தை இல்லை . இச்சமூகத்தால் அவர்கள் தங்களுக்குள் முடங்கி கிடக்கிறார்கள்.
பிறகு பொன்னா 14வது திருவிழாவிற்கு செல்கிறாள் .
குழந்தை பிறப்பதற்கு இடைப்பட்ட காலத்தில் நகர்வதே கதை.
ஆண்களுக்கும், பெண்களுக்கும் இருக்கும் வேறுபாடுகளின் மனப்பான்மையை இக்கதை.
தன்னளவில் முழுமை பெற்ற மாதொருபாகன் முடிவில் இரு வேறு கோணங்களாக பிரிகிறது.
சாக போகும் காளியை தாய் மாராயி காப்பாற்றிகிறாள் அங்கிருந்து கதை தொடங்குகிறது.காளியும் பொன்னாவும் திருமணமாகி பன்னிரண்டு ஆண்டுகளாக குழந்தை இல்லை . இச்சமூகத்தால் அவர்கள் தங்களுக்குள் முடங்கி கிடக்கிறார்கள்.
பிறகு பொன்னா 14வது திருவிழாவிற்கு செல்கிறாள் .
குழந்தை பிறப்பதற்கு இடைப்பட்ட காலத்தில் நகர்வதே கதை.
ஆண்களுக்கும், பெண்களுக்கும் இருக்கும் வேறுபாடுகளின் மனப்பான்மையை இக்கதை.
November 23, 2021
I would be lying if i said that this book was a fun read for me. there were many emotion which got ignited during the course of reading but for me what really mattered was how this book challenges the contemporary thought process.
July 28, 2025
My review of this book->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNArP...
November 28, 2019
Trial by Silence, Perumal Murugan
My review of Murugan’s One Part Woman ends with the line: “Kali’s agonized grunts, in the last chapter, is contrasted with the Ponna’s reticent approval of the man in the festival.” It is fitting to start my review of Trial by Silence, one of the sequels Murugan wrote (the other being A Lonely Harvest), with the aforementioned line because the story continues right where the first novel ended. Kali looks up at the Portia tree and decides to hang himself.
Seerayi saves her son. Kali survives, somehow. But remains a listless, shadowy presence throughout the narrative. The silence that Kali embraces goes through various phases: initially he is disturbed. In an angry fit, he calls Ponna a whore and beats up Muthu, his friend and Ponna’s brother. Later, he is introspective, recalcitrant and mostly remains with himself, avoiding conversation with others. In a moving episode, he compares himself to an ox who cannot impregnate a cow yet the owner takes good care of it. Back in his room, he ejaculates to see if his sperm is thick or thin, symbolic of the agonizing state of Kali’s mind—a man who fails to procreate a child. Later, he undertakes a pilgrimage to the temple of Maachaami. The journey acts as a revelation as he gets acquainted with others. In a passing moment, he admits that he will talk to Ponna after he returns home. He never does.
Ponna gives birth to a son. She exonerates herself of the curse of being childless, but at the expense of her bond with Kali. As she understands that she has been tricked into going to the festival, she severs her ties with her family. However, she is fashioned differently in this novel. Kali’s rejection of Ponna influences her to take control of her life. In Kali’s absence, she rearranges the field. That entire episode speaks of her emergence as somehow who wants to control her destiny. But, does she? Murugan is an adept craftsman. Trial by Silence ends exactly the way the prequel to it did. Murugan does not complete the story. We don’t know if Ponna, in her attempt to hang herself, is eventually saved by Kali. We never will unless Murugan decides to write again.
However, we are made aware of the setting of the novel. It is just before Independence when “that bespectacled old man is negotiating with the white man…the white man is going to give back the country to us and leave in a year’s time” (p. 160). Trial by Silence is a novel that depicts trial and tribulation, love and longing in an evocative setting where language fails to betray the psychological state of humans.
My review of Murugan’s One Part Woman ends with the line: “Kali’s agonized grunts, in the last chapter, is contrasted with the Ponna’s reticent approval of the man in the festival.” It is fitting to start my review of Trial by Silence, one of the sequels Murugan wrote (the other being A Lonely Harvest), with the aforementioned line because the story continues right where the first novel ended. Kali looks up at the Portia tree and decides to hang himself.
Seerayi saves her son. Kali survives, somehow. But remains a listless, shadowy presence throughout the narrative. The silence that Kali embraces goes through various phases: initially he is disturbed. In an angry fit, he calls Ponna a whore and beats up Muthu, his friend and Ponna’s brother. Later, he is introspective, recalcitrant and mostly remains with himself, avoiding conversation with others. In a moving episode, he compares himself to an ox who cannot impregnate a cow yet the owner takes good care of it. Back in his room, he ejaculates to see if his sperm is thick or thin, symbolic of the agonizing state of Kali’s mind—a man who fails to procreate a child. Later, he undertakes a pilgrimage to the temple of Maachaami. The journey acts as a revelation as he gets acquainted with others. In a passing moment, he admits that he will talk to Ponna after he returns home. He never does.
Ponna gives birth to a son. She exonerates herself of the curse of being childless, but at the expense of her bond with Kali. As she understands that she has been tricked into going to the festival, she severs her ties with her family. However, she is fashioned differently in this novel. Kali’s rejection of Ponna influences her to take control of her life. In Kali’s absence, she rearranges the field. That entire episode speaks of her emergence as somehow who wants to control her destiny. But, does she? Murugan is an adept craftsman. Trial by Silence ends exactly the way the prequel to it did. Murugan does not complete the story. We don’t know if Ponna, in her attempt to hang herself, is eventually saved by Kali. We never will unless Murugan decides to write again.
However, we are made aware of the setting of the novel. It is just before Independence when “that bespectacled old man is negotiating with the white man…the white man is going to give back the country to us and leave in a year’s time” (p. 160). Trial by Silence is a novel that depicts trial and tribulation, love and longing in an evocative setting where language fails to betray the psychological state of humans.
August 16, 2020
A marvellous sequel to one Part woman. Mind is where all battles are fought, and everyday. This book reveals it just beautifully.
April 3, 2019
I read the entire book in one sitting, which isn't what I would recommend, but it was too gripping to put down. Since I finished 'One Part Woman' I was curious about how Poona and Kali's relationship would be affected, after Poona sleeps with another man, in an archaic ritual, to be blessed with child. Perumal Murugan satisfied his fans by writing two possible sequels - in one Kali dies and Poona is left to deal with his absence; and in another he doesn't, and she has to deal with his anger.
In the last book, I had loved Poona and Kali's loving marriage, and therefore picked the one that seemed less threatening first - the one in which Kali fails in his suicide attempt. Like all books by Perumal Murugan, it broke my heart. It is a tale set in the heartlands of my own country and still I was amazed to the number of new marvels this book opened my eyes to.
One recurring theme throughout the book is the double standards society has for men and women. While Kali himself has visited the temple festival multiple times to engage in romantic liaisons with other women, he is aghast when Poona goes to the festival once. He immediately brands her as a 'whore' and excommunicates her. Hidden deep in his anger is a feeling of insecurity that Poona was more satisfied with the other man over him. The ending, unlike most Murugan books, did not break my heart, and I'm grateful for that.
What did destroy me, in a more real sense, was the disclaimer from the author that came as the preface of the book. We all know how the controversy surrounding 'One Part Woman' upset Perumal Murugan to the extent whereby he proclaimed "Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. As he is no God, he is not going to resurrect himself. He also has no faith in rebirth. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone."
At the start of this book he declared that this was a piece of fiction, and urged all readers to take it so and not harass him if they disagreed with the book. India as a country believes in freedom of speech, and I don't want all books written by Indian authors to be prefaced with such disclaimers.
In the last book, I had loved Poona and Kali's loving marriage, and therefore picked the one that seemed less threatening first - the one in which Kali fails in his suicide attempt. Like all books by Perumal Murugan, it broke my heart. It is a tale set in the heartlands of my own country and still I was amazed to the number of new marvels this book opened my eyes to.
One recurring theme throughout the book is the double standards society has for men and women. While Kali himself has visited the temple festival multiple times to engage in romantic liaisons with other women, he is aghast when Poona goes to the festival once. He immediately brands her as a 'whore' and excommunicates her. Hidden deep in his anger is a feeling of insecurity that Poona was more satisfied with the other man over him. The ending, unlike most Murugan books, did not break my heart, and I'm grateful for that.
What did destroy me, in a more real sense, was the disclaimer from the author that came as the preface of the book. We all know how the controversy surrounding 'One Part Woman' upset Perumal Murugan to the extent whereby he proclaimed "Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. As he is no God, he is not going to resurrect himself. He also has no faith in rebirth. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone."
At the start of this book he declared that this was a piece of fiction, and urged all readers to take it so and not harass him if they disagreed with the book. India as a country believes in freedom of speech, and I don't want all books written by Indian authors to be prefaced with such disclaimers.
July 16, 2023
காளி, பொன்னா இனி என்றும் எண்ணில் இருந்து நீங்க மாட்டார்கள்!
தலைப்பு: அர்த்தநாரி
எழுத்தாளர்: பெருமாள் முருகன்
இவர் உடைய எழுத்துக்களை வாசித்த பின்பு நிச்சயமாக மண்ணை நினைவு கூறுவோம்.
மாதொருபாகன் (2017) வாசித்து பின்பு அதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக அர்த்தநாரையை வாசிக்க வேண்டும் என்று நண்பர் பரிந்துரைத்தார். அதன் வாயிலாக வாசிக்க துவங்கினேன்.
என்னுள் எழுந்த கேள்விகள்: ஏன் இந்த சமூகம் சிறுபான்மை க்கு என்றே தனி நியதிகளை வைத்துள்ளது? (பெண்கள், சாதி, குழந்தையின்மை)
என்றுமே ஒரு பார்பபட்சமாகவே இயங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது ஏன்?
குழந்தை அற்ற ஒரு திருமணம் எவ்வாறு எல்லாம் சிதைந்து போகலாம் எவ்வாறு எல்லாம் இந்த சமூகத்தால் கேள்விக்கு உட்படுத்தப்படுகிறது என்பது இந்த கதையின் மூலம்.
இப்பொழுது எல்லாம் ஆர்ட்டிஃபிஷியல் இன்செமினேஷன் , இது ஏதோ அறிவியல் வளர்ச்சியின் காரணமாக குழந்தை இன்மையை போக்கிவிட பல்வேறு கார்ப்பரேட் மருத்துவமனைகள் போட்டி போட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்த ஸ்தலமும் எதனால் எப்படி உருவாக்கப்பட்டது என்ற கேள்விக்கு விடையாக நமது மரபாகச் சொல்லப்படும் கதைகள் நிச்சயம் வலுப்பெறுகிறது.
குழந்தை இல்லாமல் ஒரு கணவன் மனைவி வாழவே முடியாதா? அவர்களுக்கு என்று சந்ததி உருவாக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் என்ன இருக்கிறது?
நிச்சயம் கேள்விக்கு உட்படுத்த வேண்டிய ஒரு விஷயமாகத்தான் இன்றும் இது பிரதானமாக இருக்கிறது. அதை தாண்டி பொன்னாவும், காளியும் அவர்களுக்கான காதல் அவர்களுடைய தொடுதல், சண்டை, அரவணைப்பு ,ஆசை, காமம் எல்லாமே என்னையும் தொற்றிக் கொண்டது.
சீராயி தன்னைப்போல் இயல்பாகவே வாழ்வை கடந்து விடுகிறாள்.
சித்தப்பா எனக்கு எளிமை யின் ரூபம், வாழ்வில் நமக்கு மிகவும் எளிதாக்க,இலகுவாக்க இது போன்ற மனிதர்கள் தேவைப்படுகிறார்கள்.
ஒரு பயணம் அந்த பெரும் பயணமே நம்மை நமக்கே காட்டிக் கொடுக்கிறது என்ற அந்த பகுதியும் மிக அழகான ஒன்றாக இருக்கிறது நிச்சயம் வாசியுங்கள் வாசித்துவிட்டு உங்கள் அனுபங்களை பகிருங்கள்!
தலைப்பு: அர்த்தநாரி
எழுத்தாளர்: பெருமாள் முருகன்
இவர் உடைய எழுத்துக்களை வாசித்த பின்பு நிச்சயமாக மண்ணை நினைவு கூறுவோம்.
மாதொருபாகன் (2017) வாசித்து பின்பு அதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக அர்த்தநாரையை வாசிக்க வேண்டும் என்று நண்பர் பரிந்துரைத்தார். அதன் வாயிலாக வாசிக்க துவங்கினேன்.
என்னுள் எழுந்த கேள்விகள்: ஏன் இந்த சமூகம் சிறுபான்மை க்கு என்றே தனி நியதிகளை வைத்துள்ளது? (பெண்கள், சாதி, குழந்தையின்மை)
என்றுமே ஒரு பார்பபட்சமாகவே இயங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது ஏன்?
குழந்தை அற்ற ஒரு திருமணம் எவ்வாறு எல்லாம் சிதைந்து போகலாம் எவ்வாறு எல்லாம் இந்த சமூகத்தால் கேள்விக்கு உட்படுத்தப்படுகிறது என்பது இந்த கதையின் மூலம்.
இப்பொழுது எல்லாம் ஆர்ட்டிஃபிஷியல் இன்செமினேஷன் , இது ஏதோ அறிவியல் வளர்ச்சியின் காரணமாக குழந்தை இன்மையை போக்கிவிட பல்வேறு கார்ப்பரேட் மருத்துவமனைகள் போட்டி போட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்த ஸ்தலமும் எதனால் எப்படி உருவாக்கப்பட்டது என்ற கேள்விக்கு விடையாக நமது மரபாகச் சொல்லப்படும் கதைகள் நிச்சயம் வலுப்பெறுகிறது.
குழந்தை இல்லாமல் ஒரு கணவன் மனைவி வாழவே முடியாதா? அவர்களுக்கு என்று சந்ததி உருவாக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் என்ன இருக்கிறது?
நிச்சயம் கேள்விக்கு உட்படுத்த வேண்டிய ஒரு விஷயமாகத்தான் இன்றும் இது பிரதானமாக இருக்கிறது. அதை தாண்டி பொன்னாவும், காளியும் அவர்களுக்கான காதல் அவர்களுடைய தொடுதல், சண்டை, அரவணைப்பு ,ஆசை, காமம் எல்லாமே என்னையும் தொற்றிக் கொண்டது.
சீராயி தன்னைப்போல் இயல்பாகவே வாழ்வை கடந்து விடுகிறாள்.
சித்தப்பா எனக்கு எளிமை யின் ரூபம், வாழ்வில் நமக்கு மிகவும் எளிதாக்க,இலகுவாக்க இது போன்ற மனிதர்கள் தேவைப்படுகிறார்கள்.
ஒரு பயணம் அந்த பெரும் பயணமே நம்மை நமக்கே காட்டிக் கொடுக்கிறது என்ற அந்த பகுதியும் மிக அழகான ஒன்றாக இருக்கிறது நிச்சயம் வாசியுங்கள் வாசித்துவிட்டு உங்கள் அனுபங்களை பகிருங்கள்!
March 29, 2022
What can be the brilliance of a writer? I've read open ended novels before. But having two different endings to one story!? It was new to my reading journey and I absolutely loved Perumal Murugan's idea of writing two sequels to one part woman.
I read one part woman months back, in the middle of 2021, and because of the phenomenal story telling skills of Perumal Murugan and the eminently beautiful translation of Aniruddhan Vasudevan I remember each part of one part woman! Kali and Ponna had already made enough space for themselves in my tiny brain!
Now what should I write about trial by silence, after reading the last page of the book my mind went blank! Did I feel home while reading the book? Indeed yes. I'm quite familiar with the Tamil Nadu villages, I had visited some and from the Tamil movies I had watched. So I must consider Perumal Murugan had brilliantly portayed the lives of rural villages of Tamil Nadu. He also took a feminist turn in this book because everything was difficult for Ponna. When you're childless after twelve years of married life you'd consult a doctor, but the uneducated Ponna, Kali and their family? Well they too had a choice to have a child.
Overall I liked the book but I'm not so excited to read the other part in the series. Maybe after a few months I would. Perumal Murugan has entered into my favourite author's list.
4/5 Stars.
I read one part woman months back, in the middle of 2021, and because of the phenomenal story telling skills of Perumal Murugan and the eminently beautiful translation of Aniruddhan Vasudevan I remember each part of one part woman! Kali and Ponna had already made enough space for themselves in my tiny brain!
Now what should I write about trial by silence, after reading the last page of the book my mind went blank! Did I feel home while reading the book? Indeed yes. I'm quite familiar with the Tamil Nadu villages, I had visited some and from the Tamil movies I had watched. So I must consider Perumal Murugan had brilliantly portayed the lives of rural villages of Tamil Nadu. He also took a feminist turn in this book because everything was difficult for Ponna. When you're childless after twelve years of married life you'd consult a doctor, but the uneducated Ponna, Kali and their family? Well they too had a choice to have a child.
Overall I liked the book but I'm not so excited to read the other part in the series. Maybe after a few months I would. Perumal Murugan has entered into my favourite author's list.
4/5 Stars.
January 8, 2022
I finished this book in one day. I've rarely come across male authors who are this sensitive, gentle and responsible in their depiction of history and gender. Perumal Murugan manages to describe ever so gently themes of sex, lust, and gender, without sanitising the depictions and keeping the flavour of local bawdy tales alive, an incredibly delicate balance to strike. A very compelling writer, and an unbelievably well-told series. This sequel, in particular, is a very compelling commentary on masculinity, depicting it being threatened, negotiated with, and broken down.
February 13, 2019
To me it felt like she did die in the end.
August 1, 2025
Perumal Murugan's 'One Part Woman' ended on a cliffhanger. Kali and Ponna, the childless couple who had endured the taunts of society for not being able to produce an heir were tricked into her attending a festival where 'God' impregnates barren women. They had both been content in the love each had for the other, and neither of them had wanted this intervention and both treated it as a betrayal of their love by the other. The book ended with Kali tying a noose from the branches of a portia tree because he couldn't bear to face the world after the betrayal. The reader was left to create their own end, but when the demand for a sequel became too much, the author came up with two alternate endings- one where Kali is successful in dying by suicide and another where he is prevented from doing so.
In 'Trial by Silence', Kali's mother finds him just in time, and extracts a promise that he will continue to live for her. He gives in, but spends the next 250 odd pages sulking in silence in a successful attempt at making everyone around him feel permanently guilty about what transpired. While the attempts made by Kali's mother to broker peace between the couple are well presented, and Ponna's pain at being punished for what was not her fault is shown with a lot of empathy, beyond a point the story becomes tedious. There are only so many ways in which a stubborn man can be told that if fertilization of the egg is the desired result, potent sperm can be sourced from non traditional sources also. While this version of the sequel doesn't take away from the power of the original, I am convinced it would have been more effective to condense this into 75 pages and offer both versions as a part of the same book.
Read if you love Perumal Mugugan's works (I do), but not otherwise.
In 'Trial by Silence', Kali's mother finds him just in time, and extracts a promise that he will continue to live for her. He gives in, but spends the next 250 odd pages sulking in silence in a successful attempt at making everyone around him feel permanently guilty about what transpired. While the attempts made by Kali's mother to broker peace between the couple are well presented, and Ponna's pain at being punished for what was not her fault is shown with a lot of empathy, beyond a point the story becomes tedious. There are only so many ways in which a stubborn man can be told that if fertilization of the egg is the desired result, potent sperm can be sourced from non traditional sources also. While this version of the sequel doesn't take away from the power of the original, I am convinced it would have been more effective to condense this into 75 pages and offer both versions as a part of the same book.
Read if you love Perumal Mugugan's works (I do), but not otherwise.
May 20, 2021
My heart aches to have finished this book in the wee hours this morning. The weather is a bit chilly for the month of May here in the central part of the country. But it is nothing compared to the coldness with which Ponna bears the pain of Kali's anger and his constant ignoring her. This book is a sequel to the book One Part Woman which starts with Ponna and Kali madly in love, but beinf pestered by everyone around to have a child which they are not able to.
In this part, we see the evolution of Ponna's strength of character even further. She ruthlessly aches for Kali's attention while trying to justify what she did. It is the trial of her love and character, all the while when Kali doesn't speak a single word in the entire story ( hence the title )
Murugan seems to be the master of delaying gratification to his readers, leaving them hanging till the end to endure that pain the characters in the book are going through.
Slowly, steadily, you get drunk (more drunk than Kali on his arrack)in stories characters tell or start hearing the stories they make up in their head.
In this part, we see the evolution of Ponna's strength of character even further. She ruthlessly aches for Kali's attention while trying to justify what she did. It is the trial of her love and character, all the while when Kali doesn't speak a single word in the entire story ( hence the title )
Murugan seems to be the master of delaying gratification to his readers, leaving them hanging till the end to endure that pain the characters in the book are going through.
Slowly, steadily, you get drunk (more drunk than Kali on his arrack)in stories characters tell or start hearing the stories they make up in their head.
January 7, 2024
A Perumal Murugan book can hardly disappoint and this one didn't either. As one of those fans/readers who were left at a cliffhanger in the earlier novel One Part Woman, I too was looking for a closure on what happens to Ponna and Kali after the festival. This version (I am told there's another version in A Lonely Harvest) was everything I imagined it to be- filled with joy and seclusion, anger and agony of two people caught in the destiny's cruel twist.
December 12, 2020
This is another twist to One Part Women story from a sequel perspective. I personally liked the The lonely harvest story then this one. Love the way author dwells into inner turmoil of all the characters without being judgemental. Mesmerised by strong characters of main protagonist in the novel ... Sreevayi, Poona and Kali.
September 17, 2021
Brilliant Read on a married man's discomfort and pain in challenging his moralistic ideas of a monogamous relationship, romantic love, and confronting his own insecurities related to his masculinity.
Next up, waiting for Murugan to publish "101 Bedtime stories by Nallayan"
Next up, waiting for Murugan to publish "101 Bedtime stories by Nallayan"
January 7, 2021
Really marvellously written and beautifully translated. Of course, my favourite of the two sequels is definitely A Lonely Harvest but this comes very close to that.
August 18, 2025
Ponna’s quiet resilience throughout the trilogy is something I’ve grown to admire. Perumal Murugan in english, although imbued with colloquialism left me wanting more (as usual)
March 30, 2020
I love Murugan's simple style.
July 2, 2021
Doesn't disappoint you, every story has a alternate narrative and perspective.
August 4, 2025
“மாதொருபாகன்” புதினத்தின் முடிவில் காளி வாழ்ந்தானா, இறந்தானா என்பதைக் குறித்த நிச்சயமற்ற முடிவில் இருந்த குறுக்கெழுத்தை, இங்கே “அர்த்தநாரி”யில் பெருமாள் முருகன் திறந்த நிலையில் நம்முன் விரிக்கிறார். காளி வாழ்ந்திருந்தால் என்ன ஆனிருக்கும் என்ற கற்பனையையே எடுத்து, அதற்கு வாழ்வளித்திருக்��ிறார்.
இந்தப் புதினம் முழுவதும் ஒரு நுண்மையான எழுத்து நயம் பரவியுள்ளது. ஒவ்வொரு பகுதியும் நம்மை கவரும் வண்ணத்திலும், நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் வண்ணத்திலும் அமைந்திருக்கிறது. குறிப்பாக, இந்தக் கதையில் வரும் சித்தப்பா நல்லையன் என்னுள் மிகுந்த பாசத்தை ஏற்படுத்திய பாத்திரம். அவர் தோன்றும் ஒவ்வொரு காட்சியும் மனதுக்குள் ஒரு துள்ளலைத் தூண்டியது. வாழ்க்கையை மீட்டுப் பார்ப்பதற்கான ஒரு புதிய சாளரம் போல அவரது எண்ணங்கள் தெரிந்தன.
காளி, பொன்னா மீதான கோபத்தை தாங்கிக்கொண்டு, வாழ்க்கையின் ஒவ்வொரு கட்டத்திலும் அதன் நிழலைத் தூக்கிக்கொண்டு செல்கிறான். அவனது வாழ்க்கையில் ஏற்பட்ட திடீர் மாற்றங்கள், நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் தருணங்களைத் தோற்றுவிக்கின்றன. அதேபோல, காளி மற்றும் நல்லையன் இணைந்து செல்லும் பயணக் காட்சி, புத்தகத்தின் நெஞ்சை நசுக்கும் தருணங்களில் ஒன்று. அந்த உரையாடல்கள், அந்த மெளனங்கள், நம்மை ஒரு மௌனமான சோதனையில் நீண்ட நேரம் நிறுத்த வைக்கும்.
பொன்னாவின் பாத்திரம் என்னுள் தனிப்பட்ட உணர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியது. அவளது உள்ளார்ந்த பாசமும், அன்பும், இயலாமையின் எதிரொலியும், அதைச் சூறையாடும் சமூகத்தின் வன்மமும் புத்தகத்தின் பக்கங்களில் உயிர்பெற்று நடக்கின்றன. அவளும், அவளது காதலும், அவளது தவிப்பும் நமக்கு நெருக்கமான யதார்த்தங்களை ஒலிக்கின்றன.
முக்கியமாக, இந்தப் புதினம் கணவன்-மனைவியின் மன ஓட்டத்தை மிக அழகாகவும், உண்மையாகவும் படம் பிடித்துக் காட்டுகிறது. அதிலும் ஒரு ஆணின் மனம் எவ்வாறு சிந்திக்கிறது, அந்த எண்ண ஓட்டங்கள் மற்றும் உள்ளார்ந்த வலிகளும் எவ்வாறு வேதனையாகக் உருவெடுக்கின்றன என்பதைக் காட்ட, இதைவிடச் சிறப்பாக யாரும் சொல்ல முடியாது.
புதினத்தின் இறுதியில், காளியின் கோபம் தணிந்ததா? அல்லது அந்த வெம்மை மேலும் காய்ந்ததா? என்பதே நம்மை வாட்டும் கேள்வியாக நிற்கிறது. ஆசிரியர் அந்த முடிவை கடைசி வரி வரையிலும் இழுத்துப் போய், வாசகரின் மனதையும் அந்தத் தளத்தில் விட்டுவிடுகிறார், இறுதியில் அதை தலைகீழாக மாற்றி சட்டென்று கதையை முடித்துவிடுகிறார். இது அவருடைய எழுத்துத்திறமைக்கே உரித்தான உச்சநிலை.
"அர்த்தநாரி" என்பது ஒரு புதினம் மட்டுமல்ல; அது வாழ்க்கையின் உள்ளுணர்வுகளை சுமக்கும் ஓர் உயிரான அனுபவம்.
இந்தப் புதினம் முழுவதும் ஒரு நுண்மையான எழுத்து நயம் பரவியுள்ளது. ஒவ்வொரு பகுதியும் நம்மை கவரும் வண்ணத்திலும், நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் வண்ணத்திலும் அமைந்திருக்கிறது. குறிப்பாக, இந்தக் கதையில் வரும் சித்தப்பா நல்லையன் என்னுள் மிகுந்த பாசத்தை ஏற்படுத்திய பாத்திரம். அவர் தோன்றும் ஒவ்வொரு காட்சியும் மனதுக்குள் ஒரு துள்ளலைத் தூண்டியது. வாழ்க்கையை மீட்டுப் பார்ப்பதற்கான ஒரு புதிய சாளரம் போல அவரது எண்ணங்கள் தெரிந்தன.
காளி, பொன்னா மீதான கோபத்தை தாங்கிக்கொண்டு, வாழ்க்கையின் ஒவ்வொரு கட்டத்திலும் அதன் நிழலைத் தூக்கிக்கொண்டு செல்கிறான். அவனது வாழ்க்கையில் ஏற்பட்ட திடீர் மாற்றங்கள், நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைக்கும் தருணங்களைத் தோற்றுவிக்கின்றன. அதேபோல, காளி மற்றும் நல்லையன் இணைந்து செல்லும் பயணக் காட்சி, புத்தகத்தின் நெஞ்சை நசுக்கும் தருணங்களில் ஒன்று. அந்த உரையாடல்கள், அந்த மெளனங்கள், நம்மை ஒரு மௌனமான சோதனையில் நீண்ட நேரம் நிறுத்த வைக்கும்.
பொன்னாவின் பாத்திரம் என்னுள் தனிப்பட்ட உணர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியது. அவளது உள்ளார்ந்த பாசமும், அன்பும், இயலாமையின் எதிரொலியும், அதைச் சூறையாடும் சமூகத்தின் வன்மமும் புத்தகத்தின் பக்கங்களில் உயிர்பெற்று நடக்கின்றன. அவளும், அவளது காதலும், அவளது தவிப்பும் நமக்கு நெருக்கமான யதார்த்தங்களை ஒலிக்கின்றன.
முக்கியமாக, இந்தப் புதினம் கணவன்-மனைவியின் மன ஓட்டத்தை மிக அழகாகவும், உண்மையாகவும் படம் பிடித்துக் காட்டுகிறது. அதிலும் ஒரு ஆணின் மனம் எவ்வாறு சிந்திக்கிறது, அந்த எண்ண ஓட்டங்கள் மற்றும் உள்ளார்ந்த வலிகளும் எவ்வாறு வேதனையாகக் உருவெடுக்கின்றன என்பதைக் காட்ட, இதைவிடச் சிறப்பாக யாரும் சொல்ல முடியாது.
புதினத்தின் இறுதியில், காளியின் கோபம் தணிந்ததா? அல்லது அந்த வெம்மை மேலும் காய்ந்ததா? என்பதே நம்மை வாட்டும் கேள்வியாக நிற்கிறது. ஆசிரியர் அந்த முடிவை கடைசி வரி வரையிலும் இழுத்துப் போய், வாசகரின் மனதையும் அந்தத் தளத்தில் விட்டுவிடுகிறார், இறுதியில் அதை தலைகீழாக மாற்றி சட்டென்று கதையை முடித்துவிடுகிறார். இது அவருடைய எழுத்துத்திறமைக்கே உரித்தான உச்சநிலை.
"அர்த்தநாரி" என்பது ஒரு புதினம் மட்டுமல்ல; அது வாழ்க்கையின் உள்ளுணர்வுகளை சுமக்கும் ஓர் உயிரான அனுபவம்.
March 27, 2020
"And when the fire grew stronger, that rope which might have taken away Kali's life caught fire at last and burnt, hissing and sizzling like a raging snake."
RATING: 3.5/5
One Part Woman narrated the married life of Ponna and Kali. For over a dozen years, they do everything in their power, as they suffer continuous the ridicule, but still, they are not blessed with children. It ends on a cliffhanger as Kali contemplates suicide after feeling betrayed by Ponna's actions. Both the sequels begin immediately after the end of the previous novel. In Trial by Silence, the imminent suicide attempt is thwarted by Seerayi, his widow mother, just in time.
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Kali is quick to adopt stony silence, a thinly veiled contempt, for Ponna's actions who gets increasingly dejected. His hypocrisy is highlighted by the fact that he indulged in the same festival in his unmarried youth. But it's really Seerayi who takes centre stage in this novel. Although they have rarely agreed with each other, it's the former who provides her daughter-in-law much-needed emotional support, especially during the months of her pregnancy. And the end is just perfect, filled with the promise of a new beginning.
Both these sequels deal with a lot of similar themes. There is the gradual establishment of new female solidarity, a sisterhood of women who take care of each other and provide support during male absence, leading to the formation of lasting bonds. Questions are aimed at dismantling social norms, at the double standards for men and women. They initiate and engage in a new set of conversations centring around the rural concerns of people who live off the earth.
RATING: 3.5/5
One Part Woman narrated the married life of Ponna and Kali. For over a dozen years, they do everything in their power, as they suffer continuous the ridicule, but still, they are not blessed with children. It ends on a cliffhanger as Kali contemplates suicide after feeling betrayed by Ponna's actions. Both the sequels begin immediately after the end of the previous novel. In Trial by Silence, the imminent suicide attempt is thwarted by Seerayi, his widow mother, just in time.
.
.
Kali is quick to adopt stony silence, a thinly veiled contempt, for Ponna's actions who gets increasingly dejected. His hypocrisy is highlighted by the fact that he indulged in the same festival in his unmarried youth. But it's really Seerayi who takes centre stage in this novel. Although they have rarely agreed with each other, it's the former who provides her daughter-in-law much-needed emotional support, especially during the months of her pregnancy. And the end is just perfect, filled with the promise of a new beginning.
Both these sequels deal with a lot of similar themes. There is the gradual establishment of new female solidarity, a sisterhood of women who take care of each other and provide support during male absence, leading to the formation of lasting bonds. Questions are aimed at dismantling social norms, at the double standards for men and women. They initiate and engage in a new set of conversations centring around the rural concerns of people who live off the earth.
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