The story in Girls Burn Brighter is weaved between two girls - Poornima and Savitha who belong to poverty-stricken families. But values or bonds of friendship were rich in them. Definitely, a searing and electrifying novel, highly recommended.
Story clearly elucidates the two families both facing critically-ill members and not having enough for anything. Two girls Poornima and Savitha had to bear the major responsibility of their family, future of their siblings etc. Savitha, who started working for Poornima's father, spent most of her time weaving with Poornima. Friendship grew between them which just became richer as the day passed. Poornima's father wanted her marriage to happen so he could wash away with his responsibilities. Poornima would feed Savitha with her version of scrumptious meal which is a mixture of rice, yogurt and banana. Savitha, working hard for her family, wants to give Poorinma a self-woven sari as her marriage gift. Unfortunately, Savitha had to face a bad day of her life when she was working hard and happily for a friend's gift. This made her leave the city but never left the gift. Sadly, this led her to the brothel's life, sacrificed her hand, became a victim of human trafficking, thinking one day she would become richer and make her sibling's marriage and live lavishly. Does that happen?
On the other side, Poornima's marriage happens but she was tortured to death in her other-half's home. Poornima after losing her mom never felt homely at her own home or in her husband's home. One night she leaves her in-law's house and is destined to find her lost friend. Coincidently, joins the same brothel house as an account keeper. Poornima with her thorough planning and execution, digs information of Savitha from her manager, learns English, applies for Passport etc. She took a risky challenge of herding human trafficking only to find her lost friend. Once she reaches Seattle, where Savitha was sent to, she plans well to dig more info from Mohan. Finally, they set out to find escaped Mohan's lover and Poornima's best friend. Do they find her?
About the writing style: Undeniably, I loved it. Though the author migrated to the USA at the age of seven, she has full essence of Indian society, culture, attire. I was startled when she explained the weaving machine, huts, street, attire with bindi, sari etc etc. So many pictures, memories flashed in front of my dreamy eyes. Truly appreciate her effort in bringing this to the reader. I read the last page thrice to make sure the ending is not the one that the reader of the book like me hoping for. Certainly, it was disappointing me. I would have imagined the friends' reunion. Anyways, I can only counsel myself by saying it is the hole that the author left for the reader's thinking to fill-in. In this book, author has clearly explained the domestic abuse, human trafficking which still exists to-date. Regretfully, I can only see the girls are victims of these, mostly..
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