He, She, and It - the Grammar of Marriage: An Anthology of Short Stories

 

He, She, and It - the Grammar of Marriage: An Anthology of Short Stories

 

The book, a compilation of short stories, one of which is authored by my exceptionally gifted and talented friend, Reij, explores various facets of marriage, as suggested by its title.

Comprising 27 distinct stories crafted by 27 different authors, this anthology represents a diverse array of voices from our society. These authors span various demographics, including gender, age, professional backgrounds (professors, bank officer, healer, tax officer), and life experiences, all bound together by their passion for language and their courage to express their unique perspectives.

What I liked

-        A thread of light and life – By Reiju Ernest Kurian – This story stands out as a captivating blend of life, love, fantasy, and even a touch of sci-fi, seamlessly woven together. I have always been a huge fan of Reij’s magic with words – his short snippets alongside his own photography in social media is one true beauty. When he put that creative head to write a story, no wonder it knit out so stunningly. The plot is a bit exaggerated, but it is meant to be. It has all the essential elements - a hero, heroine, villain, saviour, backdrop, twist (or surprise) and a happy ending. It’s a pleasant read akin to watching a compelling movie.

-        Other stories that were heartfelt were – ‘The Third’ by Latha Anantharaman which crafts a fantasy around existing superstitions in society, and ‘A Pound of Flesh’ by Meera Nair that narrates a marriage that solely driven by selfish motives from both partners. ‘When Soccy met Xanny’ was also a good attempt by Dr Thomas Kuruvilla that intriguingly explores an imaginary conversation between the protagonists, hinting at being Socrates and his wife Xanthippe, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking read. Travelling companions by Geetha Nair is a story with a surprise ending. ‘Shankar’s Dilemma’ by Vineetha Mekkoth, the last in the lot stands very close to the realities of a typical middle-class family.

-        One extract that particularly caught my attention is the one below, from ‘Apartment 229 (Near Mother’s Dairy No:071) by Neerada Suresh, it’s a story about a typical village girl trying to fit into the mighty world of “New Delhi” post marriage – “Once, by way of small talk, she had brought up the topic of the cold weather to Padmavathy, who almost scoffed and retorted, wait till next December and January. Almost as if she were going to personally arrange for an extra cold winter in her honour. Why was it that most seasoned people resented welcoming a raw newcomer into their midst.” We all have had to encounter such ‘Padmavathy’ one time or the other in our life, worst still, we all have our own ‘Padmavathy’ moments in similar situations.

What I did not like

-        Many of the stories share a common theme of disappointed, failed or deteriorating marriage. The general tone of the book is shade of negativity and pronounced feminism. While these situations may resonate with most married couples to some extent, they might not offer a balanced perspective for bachelors considering marriage. Its important to give a message that marriage is not always smiles and wish-fulfilment as drawn in cinemas, but rather a combination love, trust and adjustments. While the book touches on these aspects, it tends to emphasize the hardships, leaving little room for portraying the joy, the sense of completeness of having a family, the commitment to the relationship that provides a purpose, the chores and duties that fill the gap in both mind and time. Including a story or two that depict marriages that thrive due to equal partnership would have provided a more nuanced view.

-        Most of the stories centre around women's experiences, even those authored by men. While it is undoubtedly true that women often make significant sacrifices in marriages, and this should be acknowledged, it should not necessarily be celebrated at the expense of representing men's perspectives. A balanced portrayal of both genders' feelings and experiences is essential when seeking to strike a fair balance in discussing the dynamics of marriage

In general, the book, cannot be included in a ‘light read’ category, owing to the subject it addresses. Though there are some excellent writings in between, keepsake quotes and excerpts are few. This book may not be the ideal choice for a bachelor audience, as it might come across as clichéd or disheartening. However, for those who have experienced the institution of marriage, there are moments within these stories that can be deeply relatable.