Book: SHE: A message for those who belittle girls
Author: Dr Sarika Jain
Published by: Blue Rose Publications
Year: 2019
Review by: Smita for Active Reader Book Blog
Rating: 3.8/5 stars

I have been assigned to review this debut title by a talented author named Dr Sarika Jain. Her book is a lasting impression upon my mind as I could relate myself to many of the issues she has raised. However, there are the points where many readers could differ with the author and that’s what makes this book a worthy one. There are many authors who write rather to satisfy their readers than making their points count. Dr Sarika, on the other hand, has written to make her points count and she has been consistent with her thought chain irrespective of what others may think of her. So, for honesty, one has to give her the due!

There are 18 chapters in the book. Titles of the chapters are symbolic as well as conveying the messages. Sarika has brought her content packed with facts that she might have collected mostly from around her. She has given ample examples of discrimination and double standards. Moreover, in her book, you also get enough examples of women who have transcended the limits and so-called boundaries that society has defined for women. To cut things short and put it straight, Sarika’s SHE: A message for those who belittle girls, is a moving and animated narrative that stirs various emotions in the readers. It is not like the monotonous high-class dose of feminism that only limits itself to being lesbian and enjoying the self-sufficient life that doesn’t bother about the existence of ‘men’kind!

In Sarika’s words:

“Feminism is not synonymous with man-hating or marriage-hating, but it simply means equality.”

And she has rightly put it before she begins writing her chapters. Her feminism is the true face of feminism that we need in our country and the world. It’s outrightly not about hating men and demanding what men do and have. She, the author, has wonderfully defined in her book what women need when they are children and how the need keeps changing with age. Freedom of education, freedom from discrimination as girl child, freedom of making career choices, freedom in choosing life-partner and so on… all the valid needs are there in the book that most of the feminists don’t want to talk.

Critically, Sarika’s contribution will certainly be remembered that she has been vocal enough to take on not only the hypocrite societies but also the hypocrite feminists who have made feminism an open shop where interests of women can be bartered for a few headlines and tv appearances. We need true warriors who can fight for the right needs of women on the ground. SHE is truly a message for those who belittle girls and they may be on this side of the line or that side.

On the downside, you might feel that the author has protracted some of her chapters and has repeated some of her arguments. That’s why the book has become a little longer than what could suffice the length. Moreover, this effect might affect the readers who are down at patience and the important messages that Sarika wants to convey to the younger generation might not get delivered. Nonetheless, this only comes into effect later and I am sure that her narrative is enough to get hold of the attention of her readers. Many critics have appreciated her debut effort and her book has been received very well by many of the best book review websites in India as well. So, the length might only be a minor matter!

You can buy this wonderful book meant for everyone to read on Amazon India as an ebook or as a paperback book. The paperback costs 236 and is worth it. The Kindle will cost you only 99 Rs! The link to buy the book is below:

Buy Sarika’s book – click here to buy Kindle or Paperback edition

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