Title: Disobedient Girls (The Story Project Book 8)
Author: Various
Publisher: Tell Me Your Story
Publication Date: April 18th, 2022
Pages: 165
Genre: Anthology
Format: ebook
Buy at: Amazon
Summary
Disobedient Girls is a collection of 12 short stories and 5 poems across geography, history, class, and culture.
Quoting the editor Snigdha Basu – “It takes time to bring a change. A collective effort of challenging and disobeying the limiting thought structures can put a wheel in motion. May this anthology serve as a written record of our strife for a change.”
Review:
Timid, subservient, and self-sacrificing. The ideal woman. It is high time we changed the narrative. Celebrate and support the woman of today who challenges patriarchy on a daily basis.
One of my picks for #CauseAChatter this quarter is Women’s Empowerment. And what better book to recommend than one that celebrates brave and outspoken women. Women who refuse to fit into a mould. Women who are labeled disobedient.
Each iteration of The Story Project features an anthology of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The previous ones have included themes ranging from women’s education to financial freedom to social conditioning. Stories from the less explored north east and even ghost stories. The theme for The Story Project 8 is disobedient girls. Short stories and poems focusing on women questioning patriarchy and power structures.
I have always tried to promote books that often slip under the radar. Books that often miss all the hype and deserve more love. Disobedient Girls is one such book. All of 165 pages, it can be read in a day. But it is a kind to take in slow. To read a story or a poem, take the time to mull over it before moving to the next.
But my stiff neck refused to bow down in subservience, making me the bad-mouthed, evil-tempered, disobedient daughter of Baptista, the unconventional muse of Shakespeare.
One of my favorite short stories is The Myth of the Shrew by Sonia Dogra, a feminist retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. A peek into Katherine’s mind as she recalls her experiences. A story that leaves your disturbed. Unfortunately, The Bard’s sexist “comedy” continues to be a pop-culture favorite.
Not all heroes wear capes. Her Hidden Dreams by Harshita Nanda is about an uneducated mother who wishes for a better life for her daughter. The back story is equally interesting.
Queen Abbakka Chowta is one of the many history seems to have forgotten. Abbakka by Ashvani Sachdev narrates the story of the first Indian freedom fighter and her disobedience against the Portugese.
These are just a sample of the stories. I could go and on but will leave the rest for you to explore further.
…. winning and losing is not so important. But giving up without a fight is certainly disgraceful.
Be sure to check out the video links at the end of the book for panel discussions with authors, journalists, and scholars. They range from women’s evolution in popular fiction to the portrayal of women as vamps across pop culture and media to disobedient girls in Indian mythology. They are a treat and I spent hours catching up on them.
I highly recommend you pick the book. It is available in ebook format on Kindle Unlimited. The theme of Story Project 10 is Devi and I am looking forward to it. I also plan to explore TMYS’s catalog further.
Have you read the book? I would love to discuss it with you. Do let me know in the comments below.
Disobedient Girls (The Story Project Book 8) #BookReview @_TMYS_ @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Share on X
About Tell Me Your Story
Founded by Koral Dasgupta, Tell Me Your Story inspires social engagement and behavioural change for inclusion and diversity through storytelling and literature. TMYS works towards popularising stories from academic research and social significance in collaboration with global thought leaders.
Visit their website. Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
August 27, 2022 @ 6:22 pm
The book does seem very interesting, will surely check it out. Thanks for sharing.
August 27, 2022 @ 9:28 pm
The way you penned the review you convinced me to pick this book for my next read and that what is the beauty of a book reviewer. The book sounds really different and one should read it. commendable presentation style and I loved it completely. Thanks for sharing
August 27, 2022 @ 11:59 pm
The title and cover of the book is so appealing. And after reading your review I want to read it… will order my copy soon.
September 5, 2022 @ 4:51 pm
The title itself would make one want to pick it up. I had honestly not come across the book but thanks to your amazing review this is going on my list. There is something about hearing the ‘other side’ of the story that has always intrigued me. Iam sure i will enjoy this book.
August 28, 2022 @ 7:15 am
Must say that this line captivated me, ” …. winning and losing is not so important. But giving up without a fight is certainly disgraceful.” Pretty up sums up what a motto in life should be. We aren’t winners or losers as our only competition is ourselves. Great book review!
August 28, 2022 @ 6:23 pm
Aha..the titles these days are so enticing. Girls don’t need to toe the lines anymore. I was watching a series on Netflix on youngsters in schools in the west. I shut my eyes because of the shock element most of the time, but then girls need to be badasses these days.
August 28, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
The title and cover of the book are both appealing. Your review persuaded me to purchase it. I really like how you reviewed this book. Thank you for sharing it.
August 29, 2022 @ 12:05 pm
Love the tile disobident girl and after Reading your review eager to read the story. Today’s worlds girl need to be like this. Most obedient girl face lots of issue on mental and emotional level.
August 29, 2022 @ 2:06 pm
You have written a superb review as always! And the book sounds a promising collection of poems. I am still trying to catch up your previous lists of books and will add this book to the list.
August 29, 2022 @ 6:48 pm
I have been wanting to read this book esp. cuz it features our very own Sonia too
… I am a huge fan of her writing.
Thank you Ritu for your review… it was also a reminder for me to read it…
August 29, 2022 @ 7:09 pm
I have read this book and I like the variety of stories in it. The story of the Rajasthani woman is my favorite. The title of the book is very catchy.
August 29, 2022 @ 9:02 pm
The title got my full attention. It has very catchy details as you have shared which interest people.
August 30, 2022 @ 11:42 am
Sounds good. Love the title and the cover as well. ANd your review is compelling enough
August 30, 2022 @ 11:57 am
I am absolutely in awe of your reviewing skills and how well you present your thoughts. Most book reviewers today, quite sadly, only click great pictures and then paraphrase the blurb. I am so so so inspired by your write-ups.
August 30, 2022 @ 12:17 pm
Thank you for sharing this review looks interesting read, would surely like to read this one
August 30, 2022 @ 1:44 pm
Interesting title. Why do negative connotations associated with women/girls spur an insane amount of interest in everyone? Male female alike?
August 30, 2022 @ 1:52 pm
Books that have a strong female protagonist always interest me and this one has many. The title itself seems intriguing. Knowing how well Sonia and Harshita write I’m sure this book is a great read. Will check out.
August 30, 2022 @ 8:49 pm
I have to grab this book as it is my kind of book. Thanks for sharing this. More power to women.
September 1, 2022 @ 9:15 pm
I saw it as a suggestion somewhere on some social media. However, I really liked the lines in the book. The review is really good. I’d love to read it.
September 2, 2022 @ 2:16 am
I will read this book. I am already ordering it online. And you have reviewed it so nicely that it brings out the book’s essence.
January 18, 2023 @ 11:17 pm
I haven’t read the book yet but it seems so interesting!