The Black Magic Women (Stories from North-east India)

Book Details

• Publisher: Vintage Books

• Author: Kandali, Moushumi

• Language: English

• Edition: 2022

• ISBN: 9780143451105

• Pages: 200

• Cover: Paperback

• Package Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches

About the Book

The Black Magic Women by Moushumi Kandali explores the complex and often difficult journey of Assamese women as they navigate life outside their homeland, struggling to retain their 'Assamese-ness' while facing the challenges of assimilation into mainstream Indian society. Through ten powerful stories, Kandali delves into themes of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and the existential crises that arise from the socio-political turbulence in Assam.

In the title story, The Black Magic Women, Kandali reflects on how Assamese women are often stereotyped by mainstream society as wielding the power of seduction and black magic, leading to both social discrimination and physical abuse. Other stories such as The Fireflies Outside of the Frame, The Hyenas and Coach Number One, and Kalindi, Your Black Waters... provide raw and thought-provoking insights into issues ranging from racial prejudice to harassment.

Kandali uses a mix of surrealism, myth, and metaphor to convey these poignant experiences, making the collection deeply emotional and thought-provoking. Each story evokes a range of emotions that compel the reader to reflect on the complexities of identity, culture, and societal injustice. The Black Magic Women challenges readers to consider the lived realities of marginalized individuals and confront uncomfortable truths about race, gender, and societal expectations.