SHAME

I just finished reading “Shame” a book by Jasvinder Sanghera (the fact that I am an avid reader I must start another section on my blog for book reviews). Well first things first, the book really made me think about the horrendous life some of the girls lead even in a progressive country like the UK.
I can’t even begin to imagine the plight of some girls; their upbringing makes them so submissive that they are never able to voice their opinions. On the other hand we have been taught to express ourselves, to tell the difference between right and wrong, to make our own decision.
This book is a true story of a Punjabi girl whose parents migrated to England back in 1950’s. Still nothing changed for them, they never made an attempt to know any one outside their Punjabi community, never tried learning the language spoken there and sent their daughters to school just because the laws were strict.
They did everything to pull down their spirits to remind them where they come from and what is expected out of them. A boy in such a family is always considered superior given all the luxuries and the freedom even if he is the least deserving of all. And the girls are expected to get married to strangers (as it is not considered proper for them to meet the possible suitor before marriage).
Jasvinder tells the horrible tale which is heart wrenching and sends a chill down your spine. It made me realize how lucky and privileged I am to be able to lead a normal life. The book made me cry, the one thing she ran away from was her family. I wonder if in time of need your family will not stand by you then who else you can trust and turn to in this whole world.