courtesy gb -------------
Spotted an interesting book-review in the net-version of 'Maharashtra Times'. The book is about lesbians and contrary to most contributions seems to be a non-fiction reportage, written by Mangala Athlekar, a Marathi critique, who is also somewhat well-known for her rather provocative pyschosexual analysis of the works of Jayawant Dalvi, a Marathi litterateur (that was I believe her Ph.D. thesis). The book is titled 'He dukkha kuNyaa janmaache', which ignoring the poetism would translate 'Which birth does this Grief come from', thereby hinting at a Karmic origin for lesbianism! The reviewing is done by one Mohan Kanhere. He seems to have done nothing more than describe the contents of the book. As a second-hand reader of the review only, I would not know whether the description belies the actual reporting in the book or whether some of it is a reflection of Mr. Kanhere's own views. The latter seems to be the likely case as the review opens with statements which presuppose 'loneliness' as a major cause for lesbianism. The description further reveals that the contents of the book deal with 'a genuine attempt on behalf of Ms. Athlekar to present the delicate and complex emotional world of lesbians to the society at large'. The reviewer further states that the scope of the book includes 'thorough information about lesbians, the complications of the institution of marriage, true accounts of a few lesbians and an 'epilogue' which sums up and discusses issues that arise in preceding pages'. The book therefore seems to be a pretty thorough attempt. The review states what seem to be some major points in the final summing-up - "Homosexuality should not be encouraged but it should also not be chastised. The problems that need to be addressed are: What are the situational aspects involved that give 'birth' to Homosexuality; to what extent the individuals are 'bound to their individual circumstances' while they adopt a homosexual behaviour; and what are the 'biological aspects' involved that make an individual turn homosexual". This seems to me a rather patronising way of putting things across and what with a title that describes the choice of these women as 'grief' carried from previous births! I also wonder which market the book is aimed at! This is not to say the book has no plus points, essentially because I haven't read it first hand. Can I request any Marathi GB-ites to read it and provide a review for the list? If a lesbian member of this group can do it, that'd be even better... cheers, Shailen -- www.gaybombay.info ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/WfTolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Group Site: http://www.gaybombay.info ========================== NEW CLASSIFIEDS SECTION SEEKING FRIENDS? VISIT www.gaybombay.info click on classified section and type your message in the post section once the link opens This message was posted to the gay_bombay Yahoo! Group. Responses to messages (by clicking "Reply") will also be posted on the eGroup and sent to all members. If you'd like to respond privately to the author of any message then please compose and send a new email message to the author's email address. For Parties and evenets go to: http://calendar.yahoo.com/YYY,04497/srt,0/gaybombaygroup/?v=42&POS= Post:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Digest Mode:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] No Mail Mode:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Individual Mail Mode:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Contact Us:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Groups Homepage:- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay Unsubscribe:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
