The Masculine of ‘Virgin’

Description

Written over a period of almost four decades, these twenty-one short stories trace Sarah Joseph’s artistic growth and emergence as one of India’s foremost feminist writers. Informed by a deep sense of compassion, the stories depict her opposition to all structures and institutions that formalize power. This is achieved through unforgettable women characters and explorations of their sexuality while engaging in a total revolt against mainstream male domination. From maternal figures existing on the margins of society who offer resistance to a ruthlessly exploitative patriarchy to powerful reinterpretations of myths, these stories are centred on strong-willed women. J. Devika’s informed and detailed Introduction discusses the author, who is synonymous with the women’s movement in Kerala.