To have read about the early twentieth century through history books is one thing; to have it come alive before your eyes through a story is another. And after reading The bride with the doll' I think I preferred the latter one very much.
The story is enticing right from the title itself. Even before getting introduced to Khushi you have already endeared yourself to her. Yet when she was brought into the picture, I couldn't help but be smitten by the child bride. Her thoughts, her insecurities over being accepted by Arnav, the conversations between her and Thammi and the doll she brought along with her symbolizing the childhood which she never had owing to the customs in India of those times...you are already in love with her. This Khushi is the personification of Mishti doi.
I loved the various layers that this Arnav possessed. From being the person whose internal conflicts made living so difficult for him; the choices that he made and then regretted making with the change in ideologies with the passage of time and a glimpse into the thoughts of Arnav as a person through the journal entries was just so beautifully portrayed!
History fascinates me and that you entwined this story with a very importance time period in Indian history calls for an applause. Also, you incorporated things of that time period so effortlessly that transporting back to that time was an experience nothing short of gratifying.
The story is a heart stealer for many reasons, the leads with the alterations in their lives, thoughts that they undergo and the discovery of love for each other throughout the span of eight years, the inherent sweetness that there is to the tale and the perfect delineation of the life and times of 1920s.
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