Ladies Coupe

by Anita Nair

Book Overview

This wonderfully atmospheric, deliciously warm novel takes the reader into the heart of women's lives in contemporary India, revealing how the dilemmas that women face in their relationships with husbands, mothers, friends, employers and children are the same world over.

Meet Akhila: forty-five and single, an income-tax clerk, and a woman who has never been allowed to live her own life - always the daughter, the sister, the aunt, the provider...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312320876
• ISBN13: 9780312320874
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

review

It was well written and i kept my interest in the book till the end.

Women's universe

This is an excellent book. It has an interesting narrative: in six stories different women are presented. Akhila's story, a 45-year old woman, who is seeking contentment in life, is the thread through the book and indeed we read it to the end curious to find out if she will be able to make the necessary decisions. This is a great book in which to find the common denominator in the universe of women's experiences. We are invited to consider if cultural, regional differences are indeed not just outward, cosmetic as it were, differences. And in the process discover that whether the woman is named Akhila, in India, Nicole in France, Mary Ann in the US or Mercedes in Mexico their stories can and often are very similar. This is a book filled with strong women, who took the reins of their lives in their hands and conquered. Sometimes it was just some small territory but enough to give each of them more power in her life. They suffer the consequences, but they LIVED! This is a book that liberates a woman's soul. Five stars!

Fantastic!

I couldn't put this book down! Having been to India a few times this year this book brought back fond memories of my travels and the wonderful people I met.

Brilliant!!!!

Ladies Coupe is one one best books that I have ever had the pleasure to read. Although it is set in India I believe that women of all enthic and religious backgrounds can relate in some way to Akhila. The roles of women and the expectations of family and culture on a womans purpose in life is beautifully explored in rich and touching detail. Akhila is 45 and has always been a dutiful eldest daughter. Her wants and needs have alsways taken second to a family who never appreciated her sacrifices. Finally after years spent living by the rules and expecations of her family and culture Akhila decides to do something for herself regardless of what anyone else thinks. This is the beginnning of a journey of self discovery and life altering changes. On the train Akhila meets four other women in the all women sleeping car; the Ladies Coupe. These women share thier life stories including the love and the heartaches. I won't go into details about each womens story because I do not want to spoil the story. However, each womans story was just as touching as Akhilas. This book asks the question that women no matter where they are from have been faced with at one point in their lives. Can a womans life be complete without a man and children? For Akhila's answer you have to read the book.

Beautiful prose ! Do not miss it!

I have read many books from indian authors. This one really touch me. It helps you understand what women in different cultures have to go thru in order to be independent and how different women see things differently! It makes you question your self why you want to live your life the way you do...Do not miss it. Is is a beautiful written book.