This slim book is fascinating read, where author Shinie Antony’s writing prowess captivates, as she uses adequate words, phrases and sentences together with the relevant backgrounders to give life to Lilith’s entire being! Also, directly or indirectly focusing on the rage and uncontrolled anger of an abandoned and wronged woman. A book review by Humra Quraishi
Book -REVIEW
Title- Eden Abandoned: The Story of Lilith
Author – Shinie Antony
Publisher – Hachette
Pages- 137
Price – Rs 499
Bengaluru-based author Shinie Antony’s prose is lyrical …yes, a refreshing combination of prose along the poetic strain. A treat to read, I look forward to her writings ever since I read her short story – A Dog’s Death, which won the Commonwealth Short Story Asia Prize, way back in 2002.
And this spring saw the launch of her latest book – Eden Abandoned: The Story of Lilith. Published by Hachette, it brings back to life Lilith! Yes, the woman character whom we seem to know very little about. It’s only after reading this book I realized the significance of the life and times of Lilith…Not just in the life of the first man on earth, Adam, but thereafter too. To quote from this book, “She is the love of Adam’s life – the only woman for the only man on Earth. Until Adam replaces her with Eve. Biddable, meek, subservient Eve. ‘Lilith is demanding, short-tempered, and unnatural in her sexual desires,’ Adam complains to God. Cast out of Eden, Lilith roams Earth, masters the dark arts, and fights the system; dissent is delicious. She is now the Lilith – night monster, seductress of demons. And child killer.”
Fascinating read, where author Shinie Antony’s writing prowess captivates, as she uses adequate words, phrases and sentences together with the relevant backgrounders to give life to Lilith’s entire being! Also, directly or indirectly focusing on the rage and uncontrolled anger of an abandoned and wronged woman.
This slim book could be termed an eye-opener …delving deep into those characters of the bygone era. Together with that, bringing to the fore lesser known aspects to every words: Did you know the word ‘lullaby’comes from Lilith? I came to know of this when I read this book. To quote: “Lilith, from whom the word lullaby comes, ‘Lilith, begone,’ sing mothers to protect their sleeping babies.”
