Book Review 104: A Plate of White Marble by Bani Basu

 A Plate of White Marble  (Bengali: Swet Pathorer Thala) by Bani Basu, is an important read. It was originally written in Bengali and was first published in 1990. The book is translated to English for the first time by Nandini Guha.

The book tells the story of Bandana - a young, educated and modern woman who loses her husband at a very young age. The author begins with a description of a North-Kolkata Bengali household, the house at Number 45 Shyambazar Street; in the year 1955. Bandana is the widowed daughter-in-law of the house. She is just 27. She is being forced to lead a life of austerity as a "virtuous widow", by her in-laws. However, Bandana eventually stops confirming to the orthodox traditions which were being forced upon her. She devotes her life for the sake of her only son, Roop. But... Life is unpredictable. It takes the most surprising turn when it is least expected. Bandana's life takes a turn when her uncle arrives at her house. Unable to witness her pain any longer, he takes Bandana and Roop with him. Thus begins a new chapter of Bandana's life. But, this new life is not very easy for her either. She has to face a lot of difficulties, although she tries to bravely fight the battle of life.

Bandana's story is indeed an important one as it portrays the true nature of how a modern, educated woman is treated in a patriarchal society. 

The plot is gripping and thought-provoking. The characters, the setting, the description - everything is just on point. The descriptive narration adds to the beauty of the book. Also, the vivid red cover of the book looks spectacular!

A Plate of White Marble is a must-read. I definitely recommend this book to all my fellow bibliophiles. 


About the author: Bani Basu (B. 1939) is one of the most versatile contemporary writers in Bengali. An eminent academician, poet, novelist, essayist, critic and tarnslator, Basu writes on diverse topics ranging from history and mythology to society, psychology and gender. She served as a lecturer and later, as the head of the department of English at Bijoy Krishna Girls College, Howrah. Her translations of Shri Aurobindo’s poems and two volumes of Somerset Maugham’s stories and one volume of D.H Lawrence’s stories won a wide readership. She started her career as an original author with the publication of the novel, Janmabhumi-Matribhumi in 1980. Bani Basu has won a number of awards including Tara Shankar Award (1991), Shiromani Puroshkar (1997), Ananda Purashkar (1998), Bankim Purashkar (1998), Katha Award (2003) and Sahitya Akademi Award (2010). A number of her stories have been adapted into films and TV serials.

About the translator: Nandini Guha is a retired Associate Professor of English at the College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi. She received the Katha Award for translating Kharap Chhele (Dark Afternoons) by Bani Basu. Other remarkable translations from Bengali to English include Taslima Nasreen’s autobiography Utal Haoa (WildWind) and Anita Agnihotri’s Akal Bodhon (Awakening). Guha has also contributed translated pieces to Women in Concert, The Essential Tagore and Shades of Difference.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars.
Publisher: Niyogi Books.
First Published: September 2020.
Pages: 328
Price: ₹450/-

Buy this book from Amazon.

Thanks to the publisher, Niyogi Books, for the review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 

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