The Invisibles: A Tale of the Eunuchs of India
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.48 (737 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 067974228X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 316 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-07-29 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
. Empathizing with their sense of otherness, she pursued the story of their semi-secret existence. Jaffrey sensitively investigates these mysteries. Zia Jaffrey, daughter of the well-known Indian food writer Madhur Jaffrey and heir to a hybrid Indian-American culture, found herself fascinated on a visit to India by a separate and extraordinary caste--the hijras, or eunuchs, castrati who dress as women and live together. On the other hand, there is much fearful speculation as to how they perpetuate their caste--some allege the abduction and castration of little boys. On the one hand they are invited to attend weddings and births and thought to bring good luck despite their crude behavior, bawdy jokes, and bad singing. The hijras have a long tradition in India, yet are regar
"Beautiful book by a talented scholar" according to E. L. Sutor. Some of these other reviews make me laugh. Would it be better had Jaffrey assumed the role of cultural anthropologist ala Serena Nanda and written an "anthropological" treatise on the role of hijras in Indian culture, their meaning, their context, blah blah blah? No. She presumes nothing and gets closer to the "other" than Nanda ever did. Nanda doesn't even scratch the surface, she just has. The Invisibles -- an Investigation into the World of Eunichs A Customer The Invisibles was an extremely enjoyable and educational look at a topic rarely even discussed in Indian society. "Hijras" are a common sight in most major cities of India and they occupy a place in society where they are both feared and detested. Ms. Jaffrey has a lively writing style that makes for a story that is both informative and enjoyable. However,the task of dealing with a topic o. "I hate to say this, BUT" according to David Terry. I can't recall when I last read a book and felt so compelled to KEEP READING (I'm at the age when I've granted myself permission to simnply drop a book when it's boring me)BUT?.I'm visiting the house of American friends who've spent many years in India, and whose two daughters-in-law are Indian. I saw "The Invisibles" and (picking up, in my extraordinarily clever way, on the surname "Jaddfr
Are the hijras lucky or dangerous? Are they a nurturing community of outcasts or a criminal network that kidnaps and mutilates recruits? Do they number in the thousands or in the millions? As she talks with policemen, a unionizer of eunuchs, and with the hijras themselves, Jaffrey unravels veils of rumor and deception to locate the nature of our sexual and social thresholds, and the people who dwell on them. Deeply resonant, uniquely insightful, The Invisibles is an enthralling work."A magnificent journey. In this superb work of investigative reporting, Zia Jaffrey pursues the riddle of India's most elusive subculture, the cross-dressing and often-castrated figures known as "hijras" whose very name means neither male nor female. Jaffrey writes about this fascinating and delicate subject with human understanding and warmth."--Ryszard Kapuscinski"Sensitively writteneloquentand compassionate."--New York Times Book Review