The Peripheral - by Meena Mahanty Kumar (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Travelling home on the 5.39 from Wynyard, Sydney based solicitor Rene freezes in her seat as she glances at the cover of a book another passenger is holding. Why does the title of the book spark off a series of nightmares and strange memories for her?

Rene, troubled, opens an old suitcase of her father's, left untouched since his death.

Inside, Rene finds photographs of a young boy holding her as a baby, along with a poem, a half-knitted scarf, some toys, and a birth certificate.

To discover the truth behind what has so obviously been kept a secret, Rene must travel to India, the country of her birth, despite the distressing experiences she had during her last visit there.

Far away Nimesh has been living a lie, a life met with fear, hostility, often violence. Two seekers are on their own voyage of discovery. Will they find what they are looking for?

A migrant herself, author Meena Mahanty Kumar provides us endearing and thought-provoking glimpses of migrant life with its culture shock and the challenges that come from straddling two worlds.

Review Quotes

From Goodreads.

'On her way back home from work Rene chances upon a woman holding a book titled - The Hijras. Suddenly a strange sense of déjà vu, dread and a recollection of her childhood nightmares hits her. This begins Rene's search to find out why the word 'Hijras' has such power on her. What follows is a gripping novel of suspense, an ardent love story and a powerful exploration of the secrets that unfold.'

'Wow! What a book !!! Totally un-put-downable!!! The subject, the protagonist, the plot, everything dealt with so much of sensitivity and detail. The book's journey has awakened an insatiable hunger, both for the topic of "kinnars" as well as for the gastronomical delights mentioned therein !

Through this book and its beautiful storyline, the author has sought to bring those previously in our "Peripheral " vision to being an integral part in our mainstream everyday life.

Hats off to the author's effort in creating this fictional yet true to life depiction of the society around us !!!'