Book Review of Provoked by Kiranjit Ahluwalia and Rahila Gupta

chillibreeze writer — Nandini Parthib

“Provoked” is a book with strong sentiments and a stronger message that has been brought out so powerfully by the simplicity of the writing. Written by Kiranjit Ahluwalia and Rahila Gupta, “Provoked” is the real life nightmare Kiranjit suffered at the hands of her raging husband for ten painful years.

Opening up with a dazed Kiranjit locked up in British prison, the narrative moves comfortably to the past, the green fields of Punjab. The book provides vivid accounts of Kiranjit’s transformation from a carefree girl to a broken woman enshrouded in values of ‘duty’ and ‘family honor’ at the cost of her own identity. Torn between a violent husband and a cruel mother-in-law with her own compunctions about divorce, Kiranjit gives her marriage too many chances under pressure from family and fear of becoming a burdensome single mother. But her brutal marriage comes to a shocking end when she sets her husband on fire and is arrested for murder and locked up, awaiting trial.

The story is as powerful as it is frustrating. The helplessness of Kiranjit, the blatant denial of those around her, and her violent husband are all wonderfully brought out as is Kiranjit’s metamorphosis into an individual. It does not boast of Bollywood style theatrics but even the most basic activities, like drinking tea, is filled with such pathos. A woman hurting, angry, confused and most of all frightened. After facing a decade of tragedy she finds strength in her prison inmates and supporters and, at last, discovers freedom, and a modicum of peace and the bonds of sisterhood through all the people who rally for her release, the Southall Black Sisters, her lawyers, activists and fellow prisoners.

The case made history and headlines in Britain and throughout the world. The story traces every single incident of her married life and takes us into the reality of domestic violence. It also brings into focus the religious and societal pressures that Asian women face and the violence that all women face the world over. “Provoked” in its narrative gently weaves in the workings of the British judicial system and the inadequacies of the legal system.

The book compels us to take a closer, clearer look at the ‘values’ that we believe so blindly, and throws up questions that need deeper thought. Should value and honor be so stringently followed at the cost of one’s own self? Why are educated women still battling societal pressure? Why must a woman’s worth be measured by her husband, her sons and her cooking? Whatever happened to education? Most importantly why do we turn a blind eye to the injustices around us?

Though this story is based on the life of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, parallels can be drawn to the lives of many women who are the victims of domestic violence. It also shows how culture, family value and honor are misconstrued and misinterpreted to allow women no freedom and men no restrictions.

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—About our writer:

Nandhini says, "I am a freelance writer enthusiastically pursuing my twin passions of writing and travel. I am an ardent history-buff and amateur photographer with dreams of traveling the world one day. When I'm not writing I spend my time reading (anything I get my hands on) with a soft spot for mythology and historical novels."

Book Review of Provoked by Kiranjit Ahluwalia and Rahila Gupta

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