A Journey on Bare Feet

by Dalip Kaur Tiwana

A Journey on Bare Feet is a personal and deeply moving account of a woman's struggle towards intellectual and emotional self-realisation in a hostile environment. Set against the backdrop of traditional, zamindar Punjab with its oppressive values and often nightmarish ambiance—her struggle assumes a special significance.

Although Tiwana's account is essentially personal, her 'own' experiences, yet her struggle is the struggle of every woman. Several crucial 'political' concerns of women—dowry, women's education, the general preference for sons and the social position of women—all form an integral part of the story.

The English translation retains the earthy Punjabi flavour of the original.

Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 1990

About the author

Dalip Kaur Tiwana was a novelist and short-story writer of contemporary Punjabi literature.

Reviews

[Ravi Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see the story was relevant and quite sad. About a girl growing up in the 1950s-1970s in rural Punjab, India in a patriarchal society. Going to school and doing well then going on to become a writer no less, these are big things and all the while the dark cloud of a child marriage, loveless life, the suffering of the women of the family. Tough life, but very honest, very sincere.

What lets this book down is the clunky and jarring translation. Otherwise I may as well learn Punjabi and read in the original language as I think Tiwana is a wonderful writer and storyteller.