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Unravelling the many layers of feminism
Reviewed by Sunita Pathania
Seeing Like a Feminist by Nivedita Menon
Zubaan Penguin.
Pages 252. Rs 299
Feminism is an understanding of the ways in which men and women are produced and inserted into patriarchies. It recognizes that hierarchical organising of the world around gender is the key to maintaining social order. Feminism also acknowledges that in addition to gender based injustice, multiple structural inequalities define the present social order. Hence destabilisation of established social order is not only desirable but possible as well. Thus, in its questioning of the status quo, the feminist perspective is a “gesture of subversion towards power’.
A story retold differently
Reviewed bt Chandni S. Chandel
Sita's Ascent
by Vayu Naidu.
Penguin. Pages 186. Rs 299
Weaving fiction into sacred texts without hurting the undercurrent of religious sensibilities is a difficult task, the writer seems to have successfully weathered that.
Gems of reflection
Reviewed by Nirbhai Singh
Khushwantnama: The Lesson of My Life
by Khushwant Singh
Penguin. Pages xiii+191. Rs
399
THE present slim book by a versatile prolific writer of English has recollected vividly his past events beginning from early age of five and approximating a century in 2012. He frankly pens down his private life: “I enjoy the company of beautiful women; I take joy in poetry, and in watching nature.” (p. xii). Urdu poetry is passion for him. He rates high Ghalib and Iqbal (62-75). The book is split up into 26 gems of reflections churned out from his past memories. He advises that “Don’t show off by using difficult words. That comes in the way of communicating to the reader (91).” Hence, writing should not be pompous and pedantic.
Clarion call of hope
Reviewed by Pooja Dadwal
The One World Schoolhouse. Education Reimagined
by Salman Khan
Paperback. Hachette India. Pages 259. Rs 399
Salman Khan is not a writer. And he shouldn't even be adjudged as one. What he is, is an educator and the founder of Khan Academy. And that too not necessarily in that order. Khan's first book, the ambitiously titled The One World Schoolhouse, makes for an interesting exposition on the past, present, and future of education. Quite frankly, the dichotomy and the schisms in education are for all to see, and if not see, then at least feel,
realise, and understand at some level. But how many of us have it in us to marry a predominantly rigid enterprise with the liveliness of technology and attempt at changing the game? Not many, I guess.
A perspective on the world as Diamond sees it
Reviewed by Peter Forbes
The World Until
Yesterday
by Jared
Diamond
Orion/Allen Lane. £20
jared Diamond
is one of the few people who have changed the way we see human nature and our history. By suggesting that the place of human beings in the scheme of things can be studied as we observe any other natural phenomenon, he has formulated some very powerful ideas that counter our habitual arrogance.
Pick off the shelf
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