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Why I Killed My Husband
No one ever called me by my name again. Not Anjali, my given name or Kalyani, Madhavan’s family had decided was to be my married name. All of them just called me Bonda....'
Set in Chennai, Why I Killed My Husband is about a woman whose quiet dreams are destroyed day after day by what her Carnatic musician husband and society demands of her. Until trapped in her apartment during the great Chennai floods she discovers what she really wants for herself. And with that awakening, she unleashes a ruthless plot that will allow her to steer her life in the direction she chooses.
Why I Killed my Husband, narrated by the author Anita Nair herself, is as much a thriller as it is a story of our lives that will keep you guessing even as it teases an occasional laugh out of you.
Set in Chennai, Why I Killed My Husband is about a woman whose quiet dreams are destroyed day after day by what her Carnatic musician husband and society demands of her. Until trapped in her apartment during the great Chennai floods she discovers what she really wants for herself. And with that awakening, she unleashes a ruthless plot that will allow her to steer her life in the direction she chooses.
Why I Killed my Husband, narrated by the author Anita Nair herself, is as much a thriller as it is a story of our lives that will keep you guessing even as it teases an occasional laugh out of you.
Audiobook
Published December 12, 2020
4 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Anita Nair
97 books473 followersAnita Nair is the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the novels The Better Man, Ladies Coupé, Mistress, Lessons in Forgetting, Idris: Keeper of the Light and Alphabet Soup for Lovers. She has also authored a crime series featuring Inspector Gowda.
Anita Nair’s other books include a collection of poems titled Malabar Mind, a collection of essays titled Goodnight & God Bless and six books for children. Anita Nair has also written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Among other awards, she was also given the Central Sahitya Akademi award and the Crossword Prize. Her books have been translated into over thirty one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship program Anita’s Attic.
Anita Nair’s other books include a collection of poems titled Malabar Mind, a collection of essays titled Goodnight & God Bless and six books for children. Anita Nair has also written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Among other awards, she was also given the Central Sahitya Akademi award and the Crossword Prize. Her books have been translated into over thirty one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship program Anita’s Attic.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2021
Nair's next and latest short story, published as an audiobook is a searing tale of domestic abuse, the mental kind that is often ignored because of a woman's ability to endure. In this short tale, our protagonist tells us every instance she wanted to kill her husband, during her 20-ish year-long marriage.
Nair captures the domestic environment through her straightforward narration, shifting the power from an abusive husband to a struggling wife, one chapter at a time. Apart from being predictable, this story has the ability to keep you engrossed, and a major chunk of credit goes to the writing style.
Nair doesn't touch upon too many emotions in this one and yet each dialogue lands true. The protagonist's marriage to a self-obsessed, mean, and insensitive man, years of narcissism, and eventually a child who looks at her with the same tinted glass, everything collapses into a graceful and witty climax.
I haven't read many of Nair's books but her eclectic stories, especially the short ones are thrilling and emotionally stirring (Listen to 'The Little Duck Girl which is exclusively on Storytel).
Narrated by Nair herself, she captures the full force of this tale through a voice modulation that can only come from a master storyteller.
Nair captures the domestic environment through her straightforward narration, shifting the power from an abusive husband to a struggling wife, one chapter at a time. Apart from being predictable, this story has the ability to keep you engrossed, and a major chunk of credit goes to the writing style.
Nair doesn't touch upon too many emotions in this one and yet each dialogue lands true. The protagonist's marriage to a self-obsessed, mean, and insensitive man, years of narcissism, and eventually a child who looks at her with the same tinted glass, everything collapses into a graceful and witty climax.
I haven't read many of Nair's books but her eclectic stories, especially the short ones are thrilling and emotionally stirring (Listen to 'The Little Duck Girl which is exclusively on Storytel).
Narrated by Nair herself, she captures the full force of this tale through a voice modulation that can only come from a master storyteller.
December 9, 2021
This book aptly highlights the troubles and frustrations of Anjali involved in an unhappy marriage. Set in Chennai, the life of Anjali, also called Bonda (meaning burnt) by her husband, is not what she had imagined it to be. Every chapter is a description of why she should have killed her husband, the different reasons why she is frustrated with him. She is not given her space and freedom and is taunted and ill-treated at every step of her life. She is also not given her due respect and that builds up an anger within her.
The technique she adapts to kill him finally is really intelligent and well thought. The plot develops very well, maintaining the suspense throughout the book.
The technique she adapts to kill him finally is really intelligent and well thought. The plot develops very well, maintaining the suspense throughout the book.
April 16, 2021
No one ever called me by my name again. Not Anjali, my given name or Kalyani, Madhavan’s family had decided was to be my married name. All of them just called me Bonda....'
WHY I KILLED MY HUSBAND is a scarcasm filled crime thriller set in the background of a middle class tamil Bramin life, set in Chennai written by the Anita Nair. I was listening to the audio book, looking at the ceiling, at the fans turns trying to figure out each leaf of the fan seperately, the cruel song played timely showing what is the heart of the protagonist turned Antagonist Anjali. Anjali must have always wanted to kill her husband from the day of their marriage by the way he belittled her family. Or when he belittled her looks, or her cooking or maybe it was everything about her; that he wanted to show that she didn't deserve him or he could have found a better match.
Her life went on like any other middle class married women's life who had a steady job and one hell of a husband, until one day when she discovered that when she was alone she felt happy rather than loneliness that was like a realisation into many things; from findinging her happiness to plotting her husband's death, it was all slow and steady.
This book was explained from a sarcastic point of view, the way Anjali's husband Madhavan made jokes about her was another sarcasm that got on her nerves and then into her mind which proved that she was the brilliant one & if she wished she could have done it earlier, in the end. Most jokes were already known jokes for example the one where she was called Bonda, it was a way of people to criticise others, it runs in the family and outside too. I've heard similar names for slender girls they would call " match stick or windfall.
This book was well written in terms of comedy, it was short and to the point but it could have explained some solid reasons other than these reasons, yes it is true that these 19 years were long enough to suffer such a bad mouth non-appreciating creature but that alone cannot lead to murdering someone. She could have also divorced him, so that idea about murdering and the ending looks a bit conflicting to my thought after listening to the book.
WHY I KILLED MY HUSBAND is a scarcasm filled crime thriller set in the background of a middle class tamil Bramin life, set in Chennai written by the Anita Nair. I was listening to the audio book, looking at the ceiling, at the fans turns trying to figure out each leaf of the fan seperately, the cruel song played timely showing what is the heart of the protagonist turned Antagonist Anjali. Anjali must have always wanted to kill her husband from the day of their marriage by the way he belittled her family. Or when he belittled her looks, or her cooking or maybe it was everything about her; that he wanted to show that she didn't deserve him or he could have found a better match.
Her life went on like any other middle class married women's life who had a steady job and one hell of a husband, until one day when she discovered that when she was alone she felt happy rather than loneliness that was like a realisation into many things; from findinging her happiness to plotting her husband's death, it was all slow and steady.
This book was explained from a sarcastic point of view, the way Anjali's husband Madhavan made jokes about her was another sarcasm that got on her nerves and then into her mind which proved that she was the brilliant one & if she wished she could have done it earlier, in the end. Most jokes were already known jokes for example the one where she was called Bonda, it was a way of people to criticise others, it runs in the family and outside too. I've heard similar names for slender girls they would call " match stick or windfall.
This book was well written in terms of comedy, it was short and to the point but it could have explained some solid reasons other than these reasons, yes it is true that these 19 years were long enough to suffer such a bad mouth non-appreciating creature but that alone cannot lead to murdering someone. She could have also divorced him, so that idea about murdering and the ending looks a bit conflicting to my thought after listening to the book.
November 5, 2021
Listened to the audiobook version of the book and it was very interesting. The author narrated the story which enhanced the experience. It was quite reflective and had some discussions related to issues encountered by most women. It was very good.
March 18, 2021
Okay, maybe I am being extremely judgemental about this book. But c'mon, the reason she kills her husband is so exasperating. It makes me sad for our protagonist, the kind of freedom she decides to go for. It made me cringe and facepalm. There are easier solutions to the problem here, have you ever heard of that word which starts with a 'd' and ends with an 'e'... "divorce"?? Talk about taking the easy way out.
Our protagonist here has gone through the opposite of character growth. Talk about regression and toxic femininity, quite literally. Honestly, it makes me feel bad for her husband. I see why she killed her husband, but woman, there could be 10000 other reasons to kill her husband which would make more sense than this. If we all killed everyone who made our life hell, then we would all be living in a bloodpool.
Honestly, it's the worst book I have read in forever!!
Our protagonist here has gone through the opposite of character growth. Talk about regression and toxic femininity, quite literally. Honestly, it makes me feel bad for her husband. I see why she killed her husband, but woman, there could be 10000 other reasons to kill her husband which would make more sense than this. If we all killed everyone who made our life hell, then we would all be living in a bloodpool.
Honestly, it's the worst book I have read in forever!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2021
This is my second book of the author. It's a simple read at a short span, that through listening through audio format. Very nice to hear with the voice over of author herself with apt modulation.
Coming to the plot, it's set in Chennai and how an educated married woman, struggling over her marital life want to end it in her own way, without being noticed by others.. Yes she killed her husband..
She has been adjusting and keeping it to herself all her husband's tantrums be it calling her "bonda" mocking her skin colour and physique. Or him being a self obsessed mean husband and soon his son follows him to..
It's more of a sarcastic take of how men treat women not thinking about their opinions and rights..
But it was very disappointing that a so called educated woman has to retort to killing her husband(indirectly mixing things in the food) other than moving away or divorcing him.. Probably the reasons were not put forward in the plot strongly for her taking that decision.
Even though I couldn't accept the reasoning or logic behind that decision, I still liked this book just for the author's voice over.. Nothing more the story has to offer..
The first read book of Anita Nair was more deep and thought provoking.i expected more.. Sigh!!!
Coming to the plot, it's set in Chennai and how an educated married woman, struggling over her marital life want to end it in her own way, without being noticed by others.. Yes she killed her husband..
She has been adjusting and keeping it to herself all her husband's tantrums be it calling her "bonda" mocking her skin colour and physique. Or him being a self obsessed mean husband and soon his son follows him to..
It's more of a sarcastic take of how men treat women not thinking about their opinions and rights..
But it was very disappointing that a so called educated woman has to retort to killing her husband(indirectly mixing things in the food) other than moving away or divorcing him.. Probably the reasons were not put forward in the plot strongly for her taking that decision.
Even though I couldn't accept the reasoning or logic behind that decision, I still liked this book just for the author's voice over.. Nothing more the story has to offer..
The first read book of Anita Nair was more deep and thought provoking.i expected more.. Sigh!!!
May 30, 2021
I picked up this storytel original because the blurb intrigued me. The story is narrated by the author herself and it's just 1.5 hours long! The narration is lucid, with clear and distinct words. The author narrated the entire book with the right emotions and modulations that kept me hooked! Loved the audiobook experience!
Moving on to the story, it was an arranged marriage story set in Chennai. The protagonist talks about how she was belittled and felt insignificant in her marriage. She battled everyday with a condescending husband and was even insulted by him in public multiple times. And finally her patience runs out and she killed him!
This book was so raw and so so male chauvinistic that I wanted to dive in and kill the husband. The woman's emotions are portrayed with such reality, that it took a while for me to realise that this was a book and I was not hearing the story from a friend! I was angry and frustrated at book and at the same time I sympathised and empathised with the protagonist. If you are looking for a read without triggers then this would definitely not be your best choice. But if you want something realistic I urge you to pick this up!!
Moving on to the story, it was an arranged marriage story set in Chennai. The protagonist talks about how she was belittled and felt insignificant in her marriage. She battled everyday with a condescending husband and was even insulted by him in public multiple times. And finally her patience runs out and she killed him!
This book was so raw and so so male chauvinistic that I wanted to dive in and kill the husband. The woman's emotions are portrayed with such reality, that it took a while for me to realise that this was a book and I was not hearing the story from a friend! I was angry and frustrated at book and at the same time I sympathised and empathised with the protagonist. If you are looking for a read without triggers then this would definitely not be your best choice. But if you want something realistic I urge you to pick this up!!
February 15, 2021
Women, find their way to freedom...in million different ways.Not too fascinating, but an element of curiosity made reading fine.
June 15, 2021
Well narrated especially the buildup to the end. A good read.
November 15, 2021
It is thought provoking but a okay read
February 23, 2022
Es una historia corta y atrapante,
October 8, 2023
An unpredictable thriller
November 5, 2023
a lack of agency : Indian women : victim mindset : a constant over-glorifying of struggle
September 25, 2021
clear concise and compact.
Anjali tells us her reason to kill her husband how he insulted her father's generous gift of a car (beneath his standard), how he called her bonda which led her to lose her name in the household, how her son grew up to be exactly like his father etc.
She finally tells us how she did it, she poisoned him so discreetly that only when she told him moments before he died he realised that she did .It tells us how much a woman suffers in a household. the unappreciated unloved woman is portrayed which slowly transcends into a strong woman fully aware of her desires, qualities calibres etc.
The short story is so well written it shows the search of the identity in a upperclass outwardly good looking family.
Anjali tells us her reason to kill her husband how he insulted her father's generous gift of a car (beneath his standard), how he called her bonda which led her to lose her name in the household, how her son grew up to be exactly like his father etc.
She finally tells us how she did it, she poisoned him so discreetly that only when she told him moments before he died he realised that she did .It tells us how much a woman suffers in a household. the unappreciated unloved woman is portrayed which slowly transcends into a strong woman fully aware of her desires, qualities calibres etc.
The short story is so well written it shows the search of the identity in a upperclass outwardly good looking family.
May 26, 2025
A very good drama. There was never a dull moment. Usually most of the authors use physical abuse or extra marital affair as a technique to show how abusive the husband is. Hats off to Anita Nair for writing about subtle abuses by husbands which is even more dangerous as it is vey hard to prove. Loved Anjali’s character .. Overall a good and easy read 👍
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews