Sep 16, 2009

A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman


Ru Freeman's A Disobedient Girl is set in Sri Lanka and is narrated by two women, Latha and Biso, in alternating chapters. Each of these women struggles with their station in society, the desires they have to improve their lot in life, and the journey they find themselves on after making pivotal decisions. Readers also catch a glimpse of Thara and Leela's lives and struggles.

"Earrings are not decorations. They are a statement of legitimacy, of dignity, of self-worth. Ask any woman, and she would tell you that she would pawn everything she has before she gave up her earrings. Even her wedding band. For what is a wedding band worth except to say that a man coveted your children and wanted to claim them for his own? A wedding band can come from any man, just like children. Earrings, a real pair of earrings, come only with love." (Page 121)

Sri Lanka is in the midst of civil unrest when we meet Biso for the first time, but when we meet Latha, she is in the prime of innocence. Biso has lived a hard life, though she is not jaded by the loss of her greatest love or the abuse of her husband. Latha, on the other hand, is resentful of her station as a servant girl in a high-class home and straddles precariously between the world of a upper class girl, like her mistress' daughter Thara, and that of a servant. Class struggles, political unrest, and danger permeate the pages of A Disobedient Girl.

"No, I had lain there, my arms around his dying body, the blood from his wounds flowing into me along with his passion, his body shuddering until there was nothing left except the blood that came over his body and included me in its embrace. I had stayed like that until he slipped out of me, and then I had stood. I had walked into the ocean and let the salt water wash my skin, the churning sands scrubbing my exterior of his blood even as the night air hardened my pain into a fist inside my chest." (Page 149)

The narration begins slowly and builds to a crescendo, though readers may have a tough time with the broken and interrupted thoughts because it can detract from the atmosphere that Freeman attempts to create. Latha's chapters reflect her naivete and her impulsive nature, while Biso's chapters reflect a mature woman who is methodical in her actions and chastises herself for self-indulgence when she must care for three children.

However, Freeman has a gift for dramatic language and situations, illustrating how each woman faces tragedy and overcomes the suppression they feel because of their caste and decisions. A Disobedient Girl is not about a specific girl or woman, but about the rebellious part of human nature that desires to be free and in control of its own destiny.

Here's a list of the other TLC Tour stops and a photo gallery of Sri Lanka. Please also check out Ru Freeman's blog and this Amazon.com video with Ru Freeman.

I also have a guest post over at Ru's blog. Check out my post on writing and photography.

Also Reviewed By:
Caribousmom


11 comments:

She said...

Awesome cover! My housemate is reading The Space Between Us which sounds somewhat like this book. Great Review!

Tricia said...

I have this book to read and review. It is nice to know ahead of time to expect it to start out slowly. I like how you said that it builds to a crescendo. Cool thoughts!

Anna said...

Sounds like an interesting book. I'm intrigued by the first passage. I certainly don't know anyone who treasures earrings over their wedding ring. Interesting.

Going to check out your guest post right now.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Iliana said...

I can't recall reading a book set in Sri Lanka so for that reason alone this book is going on my list!

bermudaonion said...

This book sounds so good to me. Thanks for your great review.

Ladytink_534 said...

Great quotes. Never heard of earrings being so important before!

Pam said...

Beautiful cover, beautiful writing. I HAVE to read this story. I really wanted to go to Sri Lanka while I was living in Asia, but unfortunately, the civil unrest occurring at that time didn't make it a very good place for solo travelling...

melacan at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've read a single book written in Sri Lanka, but one of my friends went for his honeymoon there, and the country is beautiful.

Love the cover.

Anonymous said...

Given that passage about the earrings, I was really touched when Biso gave up her earrings!

S. Krishna said...

I' glad you enjoyed this one. I didn't love it, but look forward to seeing what the author does in the future!

windycindy said...

I have always enjoyed reading books that deal with women and those who have a feisty side! This sounds like I would enjoy these two ladies and their striving to change their
lives!
Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com