The Second Choice - A Review

by Vimala Ramu
(Bangalore)

Already popular in its serial form, ‘The Second Choice’ by Lakshmi Menon is a well-knit, highly focused intense tale of human relationships. The struggle that the protagonist undergoes is delineated with the honest, sympathetic and humane pen of the author without any distractions. With minimum number of characters, Lakshmi has woven a complex tapestry comprising of several highly relevant issues such as widow remarriage and the attitude of the old in-laws towards it, problems faced by working housewives, repressed sex and male ego, teenage insecurities and finally the supreme sacrifice by Pavitra which makes the novel difficult to put down.

The novel has such a tight, dramatic ambience throughout that I would not be surprised if the film makers approach the author for filming rights. The story retains its interest till its unexpected end, which leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling that justice had been done all around. The magnificent finale to the intense story is like the plum on the pudding. The novel has been written in a very simple, ‘straight from the heart’ style.

Congratulations, Lakshmi on a tremendous debut. All the luck for your future novels.

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