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mals_reads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
spectrealafete's review against another edition
5.0
I think there is a tendency to read utopias and devalue them as impossible, impractical or imprecise. Dystopia feels both terrifying, but also more relatable. And yet…I am finding myself more and more drawn to attempts to describe utopia.
One of the most resonant parts of Padmarag is the fact that the idyllic Bhavan Tarini is the fact that it acknowledges all the ways different expressions of the patriarchy interact with the various cultures, all to the detriment of those deemed women.
One of the most resonant parts of Padmarag is the fact that the idyllic Bhavan Tarini is the fact that it acknowledges all the ways different expressions of the patriarchy interact with the various cultures, all to the detriment of those deemed women.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nayaar's review against another edition
4.0
”…the lover revels in his anguish, so why does he weep? The joy lies in the tears.”
Feminist literature? More like misandrist masterpiece!
Feminist literature? More like misandrist masterpiece!
loveoluwa's review against another edition
inspiring
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Written over a hundred years ago, Rokeya Hossain’s idea of a feminine utopia is a wondrous one that inspires, the story of Padmarag though uninteresting at times was ultimately quite sweet, enchanting even, and by the last few chapters as hearts swelled and loves rounded out I was giddy, saying out loud to myself ‘I do love a romance’.
Noting also the final brief essays on religion, tradition, education, and women’s role in Indian society - I am reminded of a Francis Bacon quote, “Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted... but to weigh and consider.” It is certainly how I would like to behold life and the world, and these words, these worlds, these stories of another time.
katnissevergreen's review against another edition
4.0
Sultana's Dream - Standard short utopian work - nothing unique if you've read a lot of these but still pretty interesting. Also interesting how such similar stories/imaginations emerge from seemingly disparate cultures
Padmarag -More interesting. Reminiscent of Sarah Scott's "Millenium Hall" as the intro notes. Notable depiction of female society formed to provide girls education/alms for disenfranchised women and the poor. Inspired by the author's own experiences running a similar institution and a very interesting document of these efforts paired with a subversive romance plot. Really liked the ending.
Padmarag -More interesting. Reminiscent of Sarah Scott's "Millenium Hall" as the intro notes. Notable depiction of female society formed to provide girls education/alms for disenfranchised women and the poor. Inspired by the author's own experiences running a similar institution and a very interesting document of these efforts paired with a subversive romance plot. Really liked the ending.
books_and_keys's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
Bengali, feminist, Muslim writer from early 1900s - writing pre- partition. Often we see Muslim feminists as a relatively new thing - although there is a long history of feminists from that tradition.
I appreciated how she separated the concept of cultural seclusion from purdah. The women in Padmarag although in some ways harmed by a society that does not consider them equal - all have a sense of personal empowerment.
I appreciated how she separated the concept of cultural seclusion from purdah. The women in Padmarag although in some ways harmed by a society that does not consider them equal - all have a sense of personal empowerment.
nainatai's review against another edition
3.0
I loved both the stories. My only problem with the book was the translation. The current translation leaves a lot to be desired. Beyond a point, I was beginning to wonder if the English version hadn't twisted the original intent of a few chapters. It's also very interesting to see how far we've come in our thinking and yet, how much certain things remain the same since the time the book was written more than a century ago. Despite the blotchy translation, I would still recommend this book to get a peek inside the world of Muslim Bengalis from the pre-independence era. If you read the foreword, you'll learn that a lot of the story derives from the writer's personal experiences, Padmarag possibly more autobiographical than it lets on in the novella.