Book Review: Jennifer by Nandita Puri

Jennifer
Author: Nandita Puri
Publishers: Rupa Publishers
Rating: 4/5

Some books leave a lasting impression on your mind. Jennifer is one such book. Written with absolute grit and candour, Jennifer is the story of a young girl who became a victim of happenstance and was transported to an unknown country. While she decided to turn the odds in her favour in an unfriendly place, destiny rolled the dice again, throwing her back to square one- right where she started.

This heart-wrenching story about child trafficking is surely going to twist your insides. Jennifer was just 8 years old when she first stepped on the American soil. When her illiterate parents are promised that she would be taken good care of, they believe those people, entrusting them with their daughter’s responsibility. Unaware of what lay before her, she is subjected to all forms of brutality like sexual abuse, drugs, crime and injustice. After two decades, she is deported back to India without money or contacts. Back to where she started, Jennifer doesn’t give up that easily. What keeps her going is her family back in the US- her husband and her two boys. This is her story of grit and determination and her faith in herself.

Jennifer has a lucid narrative that engages the readers very well. Unlike the other biographies that I found a little drab, this one is a breezy read owing to the author’s writing style. The genuine moments of unparalleled despotism highlighted in this book are sure to make you weep.

Overall, Jennifer explores the truth of the organizations that promise to help the underprivileged. It inspires us to be strong and not give up even when the odds don’t seem to be in our favour.

Best wishes to the author!

Buying link: Amazon