Care to take a stand?

The central theme of the book is about facing one’s fears and emerging victorious.

It’s Never too Late , Priyanka Baranwal’s debut novel, talks about how we live deluded lives — lives where we think we are safe, where we believe nothing bad can happen to us.

The plot thickens

The story revolves around Maya, whose picture-perfect life is cruelly destroyed by two insensitive delinquents. She married Rajat, the love of her life, and watched their beautiful bundle of joy, Sejal, grow. They were happy in their little bubble, until that horrific night.

Will Maya have the strength to fight her fate? Will she be able to save her five-year-old and herself in Rajat’s absence? Will she be able to break stereotypes and face the male-dominated society after that fateful night? Will Rajat stand up with her as she decides to battle her fears and ensure the culprits are severely punished?

In a nation where women are taught to be submissive at every stage, where a woman is repeatedly told that she needs a man to protect her, where she is forced to stay closeted from the rest of the world, Maya stands out. In a society that faults women for heinous crimes like rape, Maya stands up.

The story starts by portraying the relationship between Maya and Rajat, one of love and respect for each other, in simple, yet captivating language. All too soon, there’s a twist in the tale and the book is hard to put down till one knows the outcome.

Maya is an inspiration to readers with her strength in the face of adversity, smart thinking, courage and the will to go on. What struck me as novel was the series of facts at the end about rape in India. It may seem morbid but it’s the sad state of affairs in the country.

I believe the plot has been written with the intention of making a difference — not just in the lives of women, but everyone, the central theme being to face our fears, emerge victorious over them by never giving up, to keep trying no matter how desolate the future may seem. Fate won’t ever give you something you can’t handle.

Title: It’s Never Too Late

Author: Priyanka Baranwal

Publisher: Srishti Publishers

Price: Rs. 150