The Edge of Desire…
A political thriller by Tuhin A. Sinha, with a woman protagonist, who plunges herself into the patriarchal driven politics of the nation, to avenge her rape by a local and powerful goon and his mates.
Shruti Ranjan, the protagonist, evolves from the heart broken ‘IAS wife’ to a rape victim to a survivor and finally, to a warrior. Even though she has been compared to Draupadi from the Mahabharata, she is quite different from the mythical character. Having been raped by a politically sheltered local goon, and with the entire country questioning her character, she refuses to be humiliated and silenced. She does not demand to be avenged, but steps down on the battle field herself. Her molestation is not a matter of shame for her, but the source of tremendous fury and powerful grit. The character evolves throughout the book, and the reader experiences the journey first hand.
It isn’t exactly a feminist’s dream novel, but the author has shattered quite a few stereotypes, and also exposed the shameful societal barriers put up in front of a woman. The political journey of her personal as well as professional life is heart breaking and infuriating, and at the same time, inspiring.
The book will leave you with a mingled sense of hope and sadness. It’s a story which is meant to be felt, not read.
