A Teacup in My Hand

Well TS...do you see yourself as Mills and Boon material? I would have thought Virago more likely.

TBoB

Re: # 30
No, not M&B... Virago, anytime!!! :)

#25 Hamidm2

[haven`t read anything like this since ``the sheikh`s unwilling wife`` by sharon kendrick]

Mian, that link you gave contains some real gunpowder of a plot!

Wow!

I read from the description:

“...The Sheikh will claim his wife…

It’s been five years since Ayesha set eyes on her impossibly attractive husband from Islamabad – five years since she walked out on their sham of a marriage and took her five children with her – as well as a precious secret. But she’s always known that he will come for her – finally motivated to do the right thing, through the urgings of the local Mullah – who would have it no other way! And when he does she will be lost to the sensual promise of his glittering black eyes – those joyous encounters sans the encumbering foreskin… And she will melt like freshly-made butter and submit!

Submit to the yearnings of the flesh – at the urgings of the Mullah – the Sheikh!

Since discovering that he is the son of the powerful tribal ruler, her khala is determined that Ayesha should resume her rightful position as his son’s wife and accompany him to the promised land. But how will this proud woman, of Khalistani descent, react when she discovers that he already has a son with another woman in the meanwhile…?”

Like I said, wow!

Re: # 26


bj mian,

....... i think you have some real talent and a great future as a writer of sappy paperbacks that make women cry and drive real men to puke and cry out: ``Praised be God that he has not created me a gentile! Praised be God that he has not created me a woman! Praised be God that he has not created me an ignoramus !`` ....... unfortunately some of can`t be so sure about the last one ..........

...... anyway, i don`t mean to belittle tahera`s skills as an aspiring m&b authorette (no, that is not a real word), but i`d rather od on dean koontz, john grisham and stephen king before i touch this sissy stuff ........

simply wonderful ! ....... haven`t read anything like this since ``the sheikh`s unwilling wife`` by sharon kendrick ......... i honestly think it should be published - here is a link to a great publisher:

http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/cgi-bin/millsandboon.filereader?45f407ff0054bd08273f58d0dc9e0663+EN/catalogs/NULL

Re: # 25

:)

khula and talaaq are two separate things....
even if a woman does not reserve the right for talaaq while signing the nikaak contract, she always has the right for khula....

since u seem to be not so familiar with the Islamic Shari`ah, let me tell u this, the wife can ask for khula for no reason at all, but can not ask for divorce on the basis that her husband has married another woman....

now go and do some homework to learn the difference between talaaq and khulaa....

Re: # 24
You wrote,

...a woman...always has the right for khula.... the wife can ask for khula for no reason at all...

Well according to the Sahria`ah (that you seem to have read something about), does NOT allow women to seek khula without a valid reason; these `reasons` are actually enumerated in Islamic Jurisprudence and are only a few.

Again the right of a woman to divorce her husband is absolutely NOT allowed in Sharia`ah. This right of a woman to divorce is actually a part of the ``Family Laws`` in Pakistan, enacted by President Ayub in early 1960s. This has nothing to do with Sharia’ah; it is just a specific Civil Law in Pakistan, to provide some protection to women in an otherwise completely unequal situation in marriage. Infact most of the religious leaders in Pakistan have been doing their utmost for years to repeal these very laws.

Therefore in Pakistan when a women who keeps a right to divorce her husband, goes to the court to do the same, it is still called `khula` (not talaaq) because technically she cannot give `talaaq` to her husband under the Sharia`ah Law. The only difference from a `regular` khula here is that she does not have to provide any justification/reason for her decision; while otherwise she would have to come up with a `justifiable reason`. In either case in Pakistani court it is called `khula` and not `talaaq`.

Although I think this debate about the exact terminology is useless while assessing a short story such as this (it is divorce whichever way you see it), I am writing these comments as a student of law, with the hope that in future before you post any rude comments again, you would first go and read about whatever you are writing yourself.

As far as the article itself is concerned, it simply had me enthralled from the beginning to the end. I never seemed to have lost my interest and curiosity as to what was coming next. The theme of the story was good and relevant to the present. It proceeded seamlessly so that there never seemed a break in the narrative. That is great storytelling. Although the story could have taken so many turns, it is the choice of the author to take it where she wants it to go. I don`t think the story was predictable; maybe because I really can`t see into the future! There is a strong message of hope for so many women like Sonya who might otherwise simply `accept their fate`. Great story. Way to go Tahera. Hope to see more from you.

Re: # 33
Thanks for your kind words regarding my piece ... glad you liked the storyline, as well as my style, and found it to be a pleasant read. :)

I really enjoyed the story. The writer created perfect imagery which is what i think good writing is all about. I felt sorry for Sonya - i should have felt inspired by her. this aspect could have been worked on.

Tahera, you should write more often

Regards,

Dee

Re: # 23

Thanks for your comments...appreciating my style and putting forth your views.
I was hoping to create a character in Sonya that drew sympathy plus inspiration... Sonya`s strong conviction in her stand helped her go on with her life, hence the element of inspiration. Similarly, since the life she had to leave behind was much cherished, it would surely be missed...perhaps forever, and she would draw sympathy on that account!!! :) Glad you enjoyed the piece, though, even if it didn’t inspire you!

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing and the story.Tahera , you observe and express with the delicacy and compassion typical of a woman. This was a lovely read.
Why was the story predictable,pray? At any critical point in the story, there could have been at least 2 alternative and completely plausible routes.We also see Sonya changing her stance during the story.
There is just one small thing. You have very carefully and lovingly developed Sonya`s character.The story is almost in first person. Perhaps it would have been good if you could have given some insight into Umar`s character.
Anyhow, thanks for sharing this lovely piece.Keep writing.

Re: # 21

Thanks for your very kind remarks... critique plus appreciation!
That`s a good point...Umar`s character could`ve been developed in more detail and it might have made his actions (or inaction!) more understandable....or it might have shifted the focus from Sonya`s ordeal whom I wanted to be the central figure!!! :) Pleased to know you liked my writing style and found the story to be an enjoyable read!

Dear Readers,

I can see the story has generated quite a bit of controversy and steady comment-traffic here...well, I would like to say what a lively bunch of critics we have here!!! It is truly insightful to see one`s work through other people`s eyes...dissected and run mercilessly through the shredder!!!! Wow... a great learning experience, no less! :)

Thanks for your time. :)

Re:#15 lets see it`s been a while since I read them. What stands out is the story about the newlywed Indian yuppie couple (I think they were an arranged match) and the wife insists on showcasing a tacky bust of Christ in their living room much to her husbands annoyance but blithely dismisses any reservations he expresses. Lahiri was demonstrating the misunderstandings that can arise out of anywhere when two people who do not really know each other marry one another. Also the ? ``Sexy`` story seemed really cheesy. A Malaysian Chinese friend who is very familiar with Indian culture stated that the stories did not ring true and was not suprised to learn that Lahiri herself was born in the States. She tried hard to re-create the pathos of dislocation which she is more successful at in her novel.

Re: # 19

was that story from Interpreter of Maladies? I recently returned to that story and thought it was quite good. can you give me specifics as to what plot lines, character development, thematic issues you are critiquing? It doesnt sound like you`ve read Lahiri`s work....


For the record, The Namesake was a really well written novel and I`m not looking forward to Nair`s adaption.