Review of “The
Nine Chambered Heart” – Janice Pariat
The Nine Chambered Heart is the character
sketch of a young lady as seen by the eyes of nine people who love her in their
own way. It is the journey of a woman who meets nameless characters in
different circumstances and shares a bond of love with them; maybe for a day, a
month or a year; as one relationship ends to pave path for the next one. The
narrators vary with different chapters as each of them tells her story. There
is a butcher, a professor, a sailor etc. but not by profession. The story of
each narrator is an ode to her, making her the centerpiece of their existence for
the time she is with them. Some are sweet, some romantic and some lusty. The
nine chambers of the heart differ in their shape and functionality in her life.
The writing is fluid and so is the story. The
language along with the intensity of feelings changes with the change in the narration.
The best thing about the book is the way it is chapterized; how every chapter
gets its name based on each of the narrator. And of course the title, it
depicts that each loved one gets a place in her heart.
PS: Exquisite book cover.
Book Courtesy: Vivek Tejuja (Flipkart)
