Two stories are told in this book.  One of Latha, who’s story spans several decades from her childhood to adulthood.  She has no memory of her early years, no memory of a mother, or a father.  She is brought up in a wealthy home but privilege is not hers.  A household servant and playmate to Thara (who’s name is close enough to Latha that I often couldn’t keep them separate), she knows that she deserves much more than what’s granted hers.  Simple things like wanting a new pair of shoes is never awarded.  As girls, Latha and Thara are the best of friends but as they grow up and Thara takes charge of her own household, Latha is reminded that her place in the family will always be that of “the girl.”

The other story is told many years in the past and spans just 24 hours.  It is of Biso, a fierce mother of three, who living under the abuse of her husband but yet having known love from an affair, leaves with her children in the middle of the night.  Her journey is filled with kindness and hope of a better future but a single moment changes all of that and their lives are changed forever.  One story ultimately shapes the other and Freeman had me curious to know exactly what that relationship would be.

The beginning of A Disobedient Girl was confusing to me.  Enough that I often had to reread several paragraphs over again to realize that the author was giving me pertinent information that I needed to pay attention to.  It wasn’t until about 50-75 pages in that everything settled for me.  I liked Biso’s story much more than that of Latha’s and was always eager to get back to her story.  Although seemingly separate stories, I knew that both would come together in the end and so I patiently let Latha’s story unfold as well.  Biso was the more likable, sympathetic character; her story ultimately shocked me.

I must admit that my knowledge of geography isn’t that great but if it wasn’t for the fact that the jacket flap told me so, I would not have known that this novel took place in Sri Lanka.  But yet Freeman’s description and sense of place is so strong that I was able to get a vivid sense of time and place.  Freeman’s writing is great (despite the rough start) and her storytelling compelling.  Because Freeman wrote of a part of the world I often don’t read about and delved deep into social issues, I’d be interested in reading Freeman’s future work.

A Disobedient Girl is ultimately a commentary on social class and as the publisher description states, “about the will to survive and the incredible power of the human spirit to transcend the unforgiving sweep of tragedy.”

Links of interest:  Ru Freeman website and blog.  Check out other reviews on the A Disobedient Girl TLC blog tour, more blogger reviews,
Genre:  Fiction
Publisher: Atria.  July 21, 2009.
Hardcover, 384 pages.  ISBN 1439101957
A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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