What is the theme of Avni Doshi’s Burnt Sugar, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2020?
ARomantic tale in pre-independence India
BPolitical thriller in Delhi
CComplex mother-daughter bond
DHistorical fiction on India-Persia trade
Answer:
C. Complex mother-daughter bond
Read Explanation:
Overview of Burnt Sugar
- Burnt Sugar is the debut novel by Indian-American author Avni Doshi.
- The novel was published in India under the title Girl in White Cotton.
- It was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize in 2020, marking a significant milestone in contemporary Indian literature.
Core Themes
- Toxic Mother-Daughter Relationships: The narrative primarily revolves around the complex, often volatile, and fraught relationship between the protagonist, Antara, and her mother, Tara.
- Memory and Identity: The story delves into the unreliable nature of memory as Tara begins to suffer from Alzheimer's disease, forcing Antara to confront her own past.
- Abandonment and Betrayal: It explores themes of neglect and the enduring psychological impact of a non-traditional upbringing, specifically examining how past traumas influence adult attachments.
- Caretaking and Guilt: The book examines the heavy emotional burden placed on the child when roles reverse and they become the caregiver for an estranged or difficult parent.
Contextual Relevance
- The narrative is set in Pune, India, and provides a sharp, introspective critique of societal expectations regarding women, motherhood, and family obligations.
- It is noted for its brutal honesty and stark writing style, often categorized as 'anti-sentimental' in its portrayal of domestic dynamics.