i just did not expect it to end that way, it was way too abrupt. i feel like there are some cultural nuances to this that readers from other cultural contexts may have issues grasping.
 
but once you get into it, the couple around whom the story revolves really draws you in. make no mistake, the man's thoughts and actions are marked by patriarchal undertones, but within the context i still wanted to find out more about their relationship with each other, and who they were separately. 

all that being said, i have read 'pyre' by perumal murugan before and i think i definitely prefer that one as a book, as a story, to this one. in comparison to that novel, this one felt somewhat underwhelming, although i wouldn't say it is bad. i would have loved to read this one in the original tamil as well, though.