In the Convent of Little Flowers- Thoughtful Stories

Pulse

oi-Staff

By Staff

Friday, April 3, 2009, 16:06

The recent scenario in Indian English literature is to reject and embrace the modern values with an authenticity. The established Indian English writer Indu Sundaresan does that exceptionally well in her new book In the Convent of Little Flowers. In exception to her earlier works In the Convent of Little Flowers brings forth real life traditional incidents from 21st century rural India, which we may prefer to ignore. This short story collection has 9 short stories that we can discuss in detail.

The short story collection has taken its title from the first story 'Shelter of Rain.' As the first lines in the story indicate, the story traces the two different aspects of existence in the life of protagonist Padmini. The story focuses on the aspects of scorching heat of abandonment, orphan hood and longing to the cooling shelter of family, marital life and independence. The power of the story is that even when the protagonist is brought up in a different culture alien to her biological ones, she is able to embrace both the cultures.

The stories 'Three and a half seconds' and 'Beside Dreams' gives a real glimpse on how the old parents are tormented at the hands of insensitive modern generation. As the modern generation speed after the money and status, too many traditional values, loving moments and emotional feelings are churned under their speedy wheel. This story is an eye opener for the young couples in India. Always remember that the story of a child who kept his late grandfather's dirty feeding pots for his parents is not a story after all…

'Fire' is a story that deals with the powerful inner emotions in relationships. The story has a plot on the rural ancestral home in Tamilnadu where a powerful grandmother rules the household. The grand mother's possessive love towards protagonist and the latter's protective love towards her younger sister is the theme of the story. In a conventional household the grandmother finds to separate the sisters to attain her favorite's love. The events turn into many emotional and disastrous upheavals.

The stories 'The Faithful Wife', 'The Key Club', Hunger and 'The Most Unwanted' bring forth the different aspects of marital relationships in India. 'The Faithful Wife' reveals the shocking reality of existing practice of 'Sati' in the 21st century rural India. 'The Most Unwanted' shows how a family and a girl get out of a society due to the child born to her out of wedlock. 'The Key Club' on the other hand is a story that brings forth the growing tendency of extra marital affairs in India. 'Hunger' is a story that revels the stress and strains in an arranged marriage. The story also brings forth the raising trends of lesbian relationships in India.

'The Chosen One' is the story that the writer claims to be closer to her heart. She started up writing a different story but ended up writing this one. This story gives a warning on how the follies in our mind lead to the ultimate destruction.

The stories are well crafted and are based on real life incidents. Being close to the human life, these stories will serve you as the thoughtful flowers in your life.

Publishers: Atria Books

Price: .00