There are some books whose thematic structure has so much universal appeal that even if you read or re-read them after a decade (or a longer lapse of time), the stories will still seem as meaningful and contemporary as ever. The book that I am going to review belongs to that category.
The Second Choice is authoress Lakshmi Menon’s first full fledged novel in English. I have known Lakshmi for the past one year and more. She is also the web mistress of www.induswomanwriting.com which is a unique web platform for new writers. I have learnt from her how to encourage fellow-writers and bind them with affection and compassion. Though I have often interacted with Lakshmi on e-mail, my first ever mobile-talk with her happened after getting her book in my hand. The plot of her book is so intriguing that I cannot stop myself from asking her about the inspiration behind this book. But more on that later....
Coming back to Lakshmi. She is a Bangalore based bilingual writer – she writes in English and Malayalam. She has already written three books for children. The Second Choice is her debut novel in English for adult readers.
THE PLOT: The story of the book The Second Choice revolves round two characters - Pavithra and Venu. Pavithra is married to Anand and has a daughter named Anu. Pavithra’s is a love marriage having all the ingredients of the so-called-they-lived-happily-ever-after syndrome. But God acts the spoiler and has a very different plan for Pavithra. Anand suddenly dies of a massive heart attack leaving Pavithra grief stricken saddled with the burden of a child.
After her husband’s untimely death, Pavithra and Anu come to live with Pavithra’s father Narayan Nair who though deeply concerned about his daughter’s future knows very well that she cannot parent Anu all by herself having no skill or qualification to take up a job or any other career. He persuades her to remarry Venu who is a divorcee and has a daughter named Indu.
Venu also has a tragic background. He loves his first wife Soumya dearly but has been forced to give her a divorce. Soumya, by a stroke of ill-luck, has been left completely paralytic after Indu is born. Realizing that she will not be able to lead a normal life hereafter, she insists that Venu gives her a divorce and brings in a new mother for their daughter Indu.
Both Venu and Pavithra are tied to their past. Both are helpless in the hands of fate. Both feel that conjugal love is not meant for them. With this mindset Venu and Pavithra get bound by a marriage of convenience. Venu needs a mother for his child and Pavithra needs fatherly support for her daughter Anu. Will such an arrangement last long? Will Pavithra and Venu eventually find solace in their platonic relationship? Will ever love come knocking at their door? These are the questions which will find answers in the book The Second Choice.
RATING: 4/5
YOU CAN READ THE DETAILED REVIEW ON MOUTHSHUT.COM
NOTE : THIS REVIEW WAS WRITTEN BY A MOUTHSHUT MEMBER GEETA1963 ON MOUTHSHUT.COM
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