![]() |
Dear Bookclub,
Contemplating the preparation for our exploration into Shobha Rao's "Girls Burn Brighter", I wasted no time deciding that I would not be preparing Indian fare.
![]() |
Table awaiting enthusiastic friends and Indian fare from Curry & More. |
The banana dessert, however, (always room for dessert), conceptualized with ease*.
Avoidance of the discomforting topic aside, our group graciously assembled, enjoyed the Indian fare and tackled an in-depth discussion of Rao's novel. It was wonderful to be together! Quickly embracing the gravity and reality of the horrific situations presented, we focused on the themes Rao recounted. The friendship between Poornima and Savitha was paramount yet the settings and situations seared in our readers' minds. Hardship and humiliation unshakable.
Going around the table with prepared questions forced facing the culturally-fueled dilemmas and appreciation of the women's relationship. We agreed many incidents bordered on the unbelievable but we believed. The author's short-story style was noted by Karen, as chapters often felt chopped. Julie shared a map of her travels to India, giving us a perspective of the location of Indravalli.
![]() |
(not Julie's map) |
https://www.deccanherald.com/content/190059/apathy-mars-vatiganahalli-indravalli-colonies.html
The larger concern, atrocious treatment of women, could not be owned by this story; it has no setting, no place in time. A reminder of the endless variations on friendship, being a woman and the journey for justice, "Girls Burn Brighter" unlocked the power of our empathy.
Frustrated by the ambiguous ending, we could only conclude that the author did not 'nail-it'. Some wanted a blatant 'good ending' while Martha shared her belief that the foreshadowing was too bold and therefore diminished the ending. The liberty of a short story did not work for us in this novel, yet Rao's ability to skillfully bring to light this devastating drama is unforgettable.
My suggestions for an upcoming read:
"Emily's House" Amy Belding Brown* chosen
"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian
"Persuasion" Jane Austen
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
*https://www.purewow.com/recipes/hummingbird-cupcakes-pineapple-flowers