TITLE: YOU BENEATH YOUR SKIN

AUTHOR: DAMYANTI BISWAS 

“The wise are guided by what they feel and not by what they see”

“Follow the example of water: pause and gather strength, until an obstacle no longer presents a challenge .”

This book has kept me engaged until the very end. It is showing the cruel faces of society through a fictional story. Acid attacks, Rape, mutilating bodies, male dominating society, prostitution, broken families, haunting scars of childhood, corruption of the system, neglected parenting, bond deeper than blood relations are reflected in the novel. it is showing the harsh realities of life that we try to overlook just to keep going with our lives until we cannot escape them and the only option left is facing them.

Indian American single mother lives in Delhi with her autistic son Nikhil and juggles between taking care of his needs and her job as a psychiatrist. She is in long term relationship with an ambitious joint commissioner officer Jatin who is a proud father of his son, Varun. Anjali is closed to his sister Maya and has good bonding with his wife too. Their secret relationship has the potential to damage the entire world of both of them.

Kudos to the author for keeping it closest to the reality and giving us a glimpse of the harsh reality of the system and the loopholes with the law and order. I did not like the end but then who likes the harsh dose of reality? Sad but true, it happens in our society. Sometimes people who believe blood is thicker than water makes mistakes and more than for others, they bring harm to themselves but till then the irreversible damage is done and who is accountable for that?? 

It is dealing with the scars of childhood that leaves a huge imprint on our personality. Despite disliking his father, Jatin reflects his nature. Negligence of parents towards their children sometimes lead them to take disastrous steps that no money can change .it is important that elder inculcate good habits in children and be an example just not a preacher. 

I highly recommend this book but be ready for facing the harsh reality of life because this book will stir your soul and make you restless but you will fall in love with some of the traits of characters. Despite all the chaos, there is still warmth in this book and I am sure you are gonna love it.