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Ba slipped the gold bangles from my wrists. The gold ones were plain so I didn't mind taking them off, but I loved wearing my milk-glass bangles and the lakkh bracelets.
"A widow can't wear bangles," she said. "They are signs of a woman's good fortune. When your husband dies it's over."
"What if my good fortune comes back?"
"It doesn't."
Pretty as a peacock, twelve-year-old Leela had been spoiled all her life. She doesn't care for school and barely marks the growing unrest between the British colonists and her own countrymen. Why should she? Her future has been planned since her engagement at two and marriage at nine. Leela's whole life changes, though, when her husband dies. She's now expected to behave like a proper widow: shaving her head and trading her jewel-toned saris for rough, earth-colored ones. Leela is considered unlucky now, and will have to stay confined to her house for a year-keep corner-in preparation for a life of mourning for a boy she barely knew.
When her schoolteacher hears of her fate, she offers Leela lessons at home. For the first time, despite her confinement, Leela opens her eyes to the changing world around her. India is suffering from a severe drought, and farmers are unable to pay taxes to the British. She learns about a new leader of the people, a man named Gandhi, who starts a political movement and practices satyagraha-non-violent protest against the colonists as well as the caste system. The quiet strength ofsatyagraha may liberate her country. Could she use the same path to liberate herself?
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
P. Silverman
reviewed Keeping Corner on April 20, 2013
Keeping Corner
I picked this book up looking for a glimpse into the Indian caste system. It was in the YA section of my library which I believe is incorrect. If this is a YA book, it is a young YA book as it reads more like an older child's book. However, none of that really matters because it was an excellent choice for my first learn-about-the-caste-system book. There is an nice look at the Brahmin caste. The story starts with Leela as a pre-teen engaged to be married to Ramanlal a boy she likes very much. A few days before the official wedding is to take place, Ramanlal dies from a snake bite leaving Leela a widow, even though they have never lived under the same roof. What follows serves to enlighten the reader of many Indian customs of the day and the role of the widow in Indian society. The title itself, The Keeping Corner, refers to the tradition that when a women is widowed she is to keep inside and be subdued for one year. The book takes place during Ghandi(ji)'s sit-ins and passive resistance movement which members of Leela's immediate family support. I found it a good source of light history and Brahmin culture.
To be featured on my May 13th blog.
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Add Keeping Corner, Ba slipped the gold bangles from my wrists. The gold ones were plain so I didn't mind taking them off, but I loved wearing my milk-glass bangles and the lakkh bracelets. A widow can't wear bangles, she said. They are signs of a woman's , Keeping Corner to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
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Add Keeping Corner, Ba slipped the gold bangles from my wrists. The gold ones were plain so I didn't mind taking them off, but I loved wearing my milk-glass bangles and the lakkh bracelets. A widow can't wear bangles, she said. They are signs of a woman's , Keeping Corner to your collection on WonderClub |
