Book Review: “The Tie that Binds” by Pauline Ramessar Hussain – A walk through Indian homes in the 1950s
Pauline Ramessar Hussain
Pauline Ramessar Hussain

PAULINE Ramessar Hussain, a Guyanese born author who published her first novel: “The Ties that Bind” in 2012 capturing Indian women’s life in the 1950s Guyana through the life of a teenager and her utmost desire to pursue an education. 

“The Ties that Bind” seeks to tell the story of a teenager named “Vena” who dreams what every girl would want: an education and her charming prince. The antagonists proved to be the parents of Vena since they were mere obstacles in achieving her desires. Vena is seen to be brought up in a Hindu home and must adhere to the customs and traditions of the religion. Unfortunately, she developed strong feelings for Sameer, a Muslim which was later transpired to her parents, subsequently leaving her to be forced into an arranged marriage.
Realistically, in the rural villages of Guyana many scenarios like this are encountered. Although this novel was penned to highlight life in the 1950s for girls like Vena, the reality is such that not even a tad has changed. Indian families that are not familiar with the positive outcome an education can prove to their children’s life are often upholders of this reality.
Moreover, not only has the author marvellously illustrated the pros and cons of being brought up by illogical Indian parents but it also hovers around religion and its demands in the simplicity that lies within its diction. Additionally, unlike many other Guyanese writers, Hussain penned this novel in English since it is the official language of Guyana albeit Guyanese Creole is widely spoken countrywide. Her choice was rational since she felt it would have been “cumbersome to translate each sentence,” and would have ideally distracted the “flow of the novel.”
Hussain’s masterpiece holds slight similarities to Gaiutra Bahadur’s “Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture” which travels back in 1903 during indenture ship and targets the life of Indian women who were stripped of having any particular authority in society. Hussain’s character Vena can testify to such a case since her voice was invisible to her parents as well as her society. This novel is an awakening to the Guyanese community since beneath its delicate lines one can see its advocacy for a change in homes like Vena’s.

(By Shivanie Sugrim)

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