Pyre

Pyre is Aniruddhan Vasudevan's English translation of Pūkkul̲i (பூக்குழி) by Perumal Murugan. Murugan is a revered Tamil writer, the translation of his novel Poonachi winning the inaugural JCB Prize in 2018. Pyre is a sobering work, a depiction of boundless caste prejudice in an Indian village. The......more

It actually got over.... like too soon 🤦 My most favourite book from the author now, this book kept my mind, my eyes and my heart open throughout the entire read. My most favourite by the author so far, this book tells the story of a newly married couple being harrassed and discriminated by the commu......more

Longlisted for International Booker Prize 2023 Even in poverty, there are castes. "Kumaresan's hand was the magic carpet that had brought her to a strange land." A lot of people say about this one that it's not bad. Well, I'm not afraid or ashamed to say that this is good.......more

My main issue with Pyre (2013) by Perumal Murugan was the feeling of déjà vu, droning over me obtrusively. Similar stories about two young people in love versus intolerant, close-knit communities have been told many times before. Just substitute 'different castes', which is the problem here — The en......more

The novel exposes the deep-rooted caste discrimination and exploitation of the poor by society in name of tradition and social hierarchy. The novel is also a study in contrast between the village and city life exposing the long-standing myth of villagers being simple and kind hearted folks. What mak......more