Book: Rebirth
Author: Jahnavi Barua
Pages: 216
Read on: Paperback edition pictured above
Read in: ~3 hours
Plot Summary: Rebirth is the story of Kaberi; a young woman coming to grips with an uncertain marriage. It is also an intimate portrait of the passionate bond between a mother and her unborn child. Moving between Bangalore and Guwahati the novel weaves together Kaberi’s inner and outer worlds as she negotiates the treacherous waters of betrayal and loss—an unfaithful husband; a troubled relationship with her parents and the death of a childhood friend.
Things I Liked:
1. Rebirth tells the story of Kaberi as she navigates her pregnancy in the light of her husband's betrayal. Kaberi- an Assamese woman living in Bangalore- is, finally, pregnant after trying for seven years. However, during what should be the happiest time in her life, her husband has left home and has moved in with his lover. Kaberi has not told him about their baby because she doesn't want her husband to return home for the sake of her baby. She wants him to return for her and for their life together.
2. The book's narrative moves from Kaberi's early married life in Bangalore- setting up their home, her relationship with her new husband- to idyllic childhood and tumultuous adulthood in Guwahati during the insurgency. We get to see Kaberi's relationships with her parents, her best friend and her best friend's parents as well as get an insight into life in Assam during the troubled times.
3. The book is beautifully written and examines multiple relationships with a lot of insight and tenderness. Kaberi's strained relationship with her father, her conversations with her unborn baby and her relationship with her best friend are all very nicely developed.
4. I also liked the depiction of Kaberi's relationship with her mother-in-law- a woman so different from her and her mother, but who embraces Kaberi very lovingly into her family. Also, Kaberi's friendship with the mother of a child on the Autism spectrum was very heartwarming, giving her the emotional support she needed during her, rather lonely, pregnancy journey.
5. Kaberi's relationship with her husband- its devolution to its present state- is also interesting to read about. That an educated, refined man, raised by a kind woman can also be a wife beater is something that can and does happen was also depicted really well in the book.
Rating: 4.5/5
Rebirth is a lovely, well-written book with interesting relationships and characters and I highly recommend it.
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