Book review: Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta

Myung and Laleh are keepers of the whale of Babel. They roam within its cosmic chambers, speak folktales of themselves, and pray to an enigmatic figure they know only as ‘Great Wisa’. To Laleh, this is everything.For Myung, it is not enough.

When Myung flees the whale, she stumbles into a new universe where shapeshifting islands and ancient maps hold sway. There, she sets off on an adventure that is both tragic and transformative, for her and Laleh. For at the heart of her quest lies a mystery that has confounded scholars for generations: the truth about the mad sisters of Esi.

My Review

Mad Sisters of Esi is a truly unique and unforgettable novel. It’s a story about sisters, family, identity, and belonging, but at its core, it’s a an invitation to conjure our madness.

Tashan Mehta’s writing is exquisite. She creates a world that is both familiar and alien, and her characters are complex and relatable. I was particularly drawn to Laleh,the main protagonist, who is a fierce and determined.

The novel is also incredibly imaginative. Mehta weaves together elements of fantasy, science fiction, and mythology to create a story that is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

One of the things I loved most about Mad Sisters of Esi is that it’s a story that celebrates madness. In our society, madness is often seen as something to be feared and shunned. We are taught to toe the line, follow the norms but Mehta shows us that madness can also be a source of strength, creativity, and resilience.Letting go can be exhilarating and liberating.

The novel also explores the complex relationship between sisters. Laleh and Myung have a deep bond, but they also have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. As Laleh embarks on her journey to find her sister, she learns more about herself and what it means to be a family.

Things I loved most about this novel

• The cover page: The pink whale doing a flip and the glitter all promised a nice trip into fantasy land. It also reminded me of the whale obsession of the lead character in the Korean Series- Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Attorney Woo was an Autistic Lawyer and the whale was her favourite subject.
• The writing: Tashan Mehta’s writing is absolutely stunning in the “Mad Sisters of Esi”. She has a way of creating vivid images and transporting the reader to another world with ease.
• The characters: Laleh, the main character, is a complex and relatable protagonist, and the supporting cast is also well-developed and interesting.
• The imagination: Mad Sisters of Esi is one of the most imaginative novels I’ve ever read. Mehta weaves together elements of fantasy, science fiction, and mythology to create a truly unique world.
• The celebration of madness: In our society, madness is often seen as something to be feared and shunned. But Mehta shows us that madness can also be a source of strength, creativity, and resilience.Being a maverick is something that underlines that you are unafraid and different from others.You can think out of the box.
• The bond of sisterhood: I too had a bitter sweet bond with my sister in my growing years and “Mad Sisters of Esi ” explores the complex relationship between sisters in a nuanced and insightful way , bringing back a lot of my childhood memories.

Mad Sisters of Esi : Analysing the underlying themes

Madness:

Madness is a central theme in Mad Sisters of Esi. Laleh is a character who struggles with her own mental health, and she often feels like she doesn’t belong in the world. But as she embarks on her journey, she learns to embrace her madness and see it as a source of strength.

Mehta challenges the stigma that is often associated with mental illness. She shows us that people with mental illness can be just as strong, capable, and creative as anyone else.

Sisterhood:

The novel also explores the complex relationship between sisters. Laleh and Myung have a deep bond, but they also have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. As Laleh embarks on her journey to find her sister, she discovers more about herself and what it means to be a part of  a family.

Mehta shows us that being sisters is not always easy. There can be conflict, jealousy, and resentment. But at its core, sisterhood is a powerful bond that can help us overcome even the most difficult challenges.

Identity:

Identity is another important theme in Mad Sisters of Esi. Laleh is a character who is constantly questioning her identity.

Who is she?

Where does she belong?

As she streams through different worlds and meets different people, she also begins to learn more about herself and who she wants to be.

Mehta’s novel is a reminder that our identities are fluid and ever-changing. We are not defined by our labels or our social roles. We can choose our own identity and create our own destiny.

To sum it up, Mad Sisters of Esi is a brilliant and thought-provoking novel. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it

Book Specifications

Title – Mad Sisters Of Esi

Genre – Fantasy, Fiction

Language – English

Author -Tashan Mehta

Pages –  424

Publisher – Harper Collins 

Book Buy link – Amazon