The Normal State of Mind

Author: Bhattacharya, Susmita

Brand: Parthian

Binding: paperback

Format: Import

Number Of Pages: 250

Release Date: 10-03-2015

Details: Product Description
The law seems to be very interested in widows and lesbians. Both are hanging on to the edges of society, begging to be recognised. It's the end of a millennium. India has made tremendous progress in science and technology, but in these times of economic boom can a friendship between two women give them the power to defy society, and law, to reach for their dreams? Dipali, a young bride, is determined to make her marriage a success story. But her plans are cut short when her husband is killed by a bomb blast in Mumbai. Forced into a life of widowhood, her brother expects her to sacrifice her own independence for the sake of caring for her elderly mother but Dipali has other ideas. Moushumi, a school teacher, discovers that her attraction to women is not just a girl crush. As her parents discuss potential husbands, Moushumi escapes to her high-flying lover. But how long can she keep being a lesbian secret beyond the safe walls of glamorous art crowd parties? In the midst of communal riots and gay rights movements, India too has to make her own decisions about which traditions she must keep, and which she ought to let go. At the end of it all, who can decide what is the normal state of mind?
Review
"The Normal State of Mind is a deliciously bold debut novel, delving in the mores of modern love, marriage and sexuality, through the eyes of two young women, one gay, one straight. Vivid and tender, funny and bittersweet, it's fearlessly full of surprises about what it means to be young and female in 1990s India on the cusp of change." Rosie Dastoor, author, A Small Fortune "Instantly engaging, The Normal State of Mind is rich with the colour and flavour of India. Bhattacharya writes with a brisk, uncluttered style producing a love story with themes that cross continents. She has a perfect ear for dialogue and 20:20 vision for character." Martin Freeman, The Herald "Written with precision and a trained eye for detail, Susmita Bhattacharya's debut is a warm tale of love and friendship. Through the eyes of a widower and a lesbian we see an India that struggles to truly embrace modernity." Farhana Shaikh, The Asian Writer "The Normal State of Mind is a beautiful book by a beautiful writer. The women at the centre of the story and the women at the edges are inspirational in their warmth and courage. Moushimi and Dipali are fragile and strong, courageous and nervous as they break free from expectation and limitation to write their own stories. Mumbai and Calcutta come alive in Susmita's hands, the cities dancing breathlessly through the lives of their people." Romy Wood, author, Word on the Street "A beautiful, evocative read... A new taste of India from a promising new novelist." Abbie Wightwick, Western Mail
About the Author
Susmita Bhattacharya is from Mumbai, India. She received an MA in Creative Writing from Cardiff University in 2006 and has had many short stories and poems published in the UK and internationally. Her most recent works are included in Rarebit, Stories for Homes, Penguin Unplugged, Eleven Eleven Journal and Litro. The Normal State of Mind is her debut novel. She lives in Plymouth with her husband, two daughters and the neighbour's cat.

EAN: 9781909844629

Package Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.0 x 0.9 inches

Languages: English