Blue Eyes by Hema Macherla
Critics’ Reviews
Dramatically pitched and packed with incident from the start when its teenage heroine, Anjali, is held in captivity to be burned on her husband’s funeral pyre.
— Tom Adair, The Scotsman
Compelling, charming and utterly convincing from the very first page. Hema Macherla is a writer to watch.
— Lesley Horton, crime writer
A stunning novel about irrational traditions and conflicts, and the courage to overcome all odds. A must read for all.
— Smita Singh, Chairperson VAANI, Asian Writers and Artists
An inspiration… this book has touched a chord among women not only from India but from the West and Europe…
— The Hindu
Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked.
— Maggie Hamand, novelist
Blue Eyes is a novel about courage, about following your heart and being true to yourself when everything is set against you. It’s evocative, thought-provoking and enriched with unforgettable characters.
— Pam McIlroy, blogger
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Readers’ Reviews
Blue Eyes is a novel about one woman’s fight for the right to be treated as a human being rather than as a chattel of her dead husband, something that can be discarded on his funeral pyre. Anjali’s journey from innocent child to a fully aware woman, who is shocked by the injustice meted out to other women because of old beliefs, will have you cheering for her with each page turn as she forges her own path under terrifying conditions. Blue Eyes is a novel about courage, about following your heart and being true to yourself when everything is set against you. It’s evocative, thought-provoking and enriched with unforgettable characters. I loved it!
The plot moves with the urgent rhythm of a thattu …it entertains with a story of love and action but a deeper meaning of freedom and purpose is at its heart. A story that shows the resolve of women to escape entrapment and inequality and the strength of men to set aside that which they have only been taught. The human spirit shines through the novel leading each of the characters to be victorious. It’s beautiful!
Just finished your book and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. It made me feel like I was actually in India, it was so well portrayed.
Blue Eyes is a terrific read. Set in the time of the British Raj, it gives insight into India’s turbulent history and its impact on people at all levels of society. Startlingly vivid characters ensure that readers are gripped from the start as we race from chapter to chapter following the plight of protagonist, Angeli, trying to escape past horrors of being a child bride, and her devoted childhood friend, Saleem… We encounter many charismatic people in the 450 page journey through Hema Macherla’s novel, none of whom are perfect, but all of whom are richly human.
The book is Fantabulous! The way you describe each character, their feelings, the beauty of nature. They all just stole my heart. I was very much impressed and inspired by your writing.