Blasphemy is a heart wrenching, soul stirring book about the depths of human depravity. Considering the book is (large) part fact and (little) part fiction, I only hope some of the stories of incest and violence are the parts which are not completely true.
In a largely well-written book, there are some lines that resonate deep within. At one point she makes the astute observation that only minor mistakes are big crimes, while sustained and horrific incidents of incest, rape and cruelty are accepted as a way of life.
In the few days after reading this book, i felt that my problems were really small compared to what hundreds of other women have to put up with, but this insight can only really impact me in the short term. Our minds operate within a frame of reference, and we always judge what we want by what we have always had. If you expect me (or anyone) to be happy with their lot in life because 'it could have been much worse', then we might as well retort by saying 'it could have also been much better'.
It is as easy to feel sorry for a 20-year old single mother as it is difficult to feel happy for a really successful 25-year-old! Other's lives can be judged by who they are and where they have come from, and similarly, we can judge our own lives only by all the experiences we have had
This book also wonderfully brings out how we are the masters of our own happiness. The protagonists marital bed was a hell hole for her, but a tool of power for another in her place.
Overly explicit in parts, and (i can only hope) exaggerated too, this book tells it like it is. A must-read for women because there are some things that only a woman can understand about this book
In a largely well-written book, there are some lines that resonate deep within. At one point she makes the astute observation that only minor mistakes are big crimes, while sustained and horrific incidents of incest, rape and cruelty are accepted as a way of life.
In the few days after reading this book, i felt that my problems were really small compared to what hundreds of other women have to put up with, but this insight can only really impact me in the short term. Our minds operate within a frame of reference, and we always judge what we want by what we have always had. If you expect me (or anyone) to be happy with their lot in life because 'it could have been much worse', then we might as well retort by saying 'it could have also been much better'.
It is as easy to feel sorry for a 20-year old single mother as it is difficult to feel happy for a really successful 25-year-old! Other's lives can be judged by who they are and where they have come from, and similarly, we can judge our own lives only by all the experiences we have had
This book also wonderfully brings out how we are the masters of our own happiness. The protagonists marital bed was a hell hole for her, but a tool of power for another in her place.
Overly explicit in parts, and (i can only hope) exaggerated too, this book tells it like it is. A must-read for women because there are some things that only a woman can understand about this book
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