Book Review: Goddess in the Living Room by Latha

This piece of work by Latha connects intimately as it relates to many aspects of being a woman, an Asian woman. Our desire for home, close relationships, innate sensitivity to our family and community, diligence to earn our keep are close to heart. Through a series of short stories, of women caught in everyday situations in Singapore, Latha conveys the insight that so much of what we do is related to our growing up, our family of origin and culture. In these women's lives, the recurrence of the same emotionalism, attributions and people's rehearsed perception of them seem to lock them in, perpetuating the sameness that gives familiarity yet traps them in a inexpugnable cocoon. Till opportunities arise where they make choices to emerge from their trap with deliberate forcefulness, metamorphosing to a different state of being, reinventing themselves. Emerging transformed, they become more reflective and much stronger. Till then, these women continue to be caught in the same hum-drum of life that gradually grows to overcome them and they become exhausted with resignation. The giving of self to others and one's family can ultimately compromise a woman's sense of being. The fact that these stories were translated from Tamil makes them more poignant. The cultural nuances comes right through, at once heart-warming with familiar indian customs, yet gut-wrenching as the manifestation of Asian patriarchal values transcend cultures and intrude on the lives of these women. I feel real camaraderie with my ethnic Indian counterparts. The stories of immigrant women were especially touching for me. Though our social circumstances differ, and I am ethnic Chinese, the essence of a woman's heart, desire, and struggle with our place in society rings a universal truth. The fact that we are all Asian women and battling ingrained deep seated discrimination against women, including immigrants make this book a must-read. It is a timely reminder that the role of women and our place in this world is still evolving and more can be done to bring about greater balance and social justice.

Han Li June