Touched by the many little girl-child he had come across in his life, the writer writes on the title “In Love with the Girl-child” his latest addition in his line of books written out of his ardent love for the woman in his life.
The author presents word-pictures of scenes and events by giving details that appeal to the five senses, or to the reader’s imagination.
Narrating his experience and observation on (v – vi) what the experience of the girl-father relationship should be, the writer bequeaths to internalize his feelings and opinions by leaving the reader with a few questions that may encourage them set out to help shape or reshape the somewhat shapeless life of the girl-child lest they become, or make a girl-child they know a victim of their indecision:
• What would you do if you knew your girl-child, another’s, or your daughter’s daughter doesn’t stand a chance of having a happy and fulfilled life?
• What would you do to make the life of the girl-child in your care better?
The author after a logical analysis and coherent representation of facts based on experiences and observations admonishes us to live with the consciousness of “in trying to make your life comfortable, never make another’s uncomfortable”. A philosophy I personally find morally and spiritually inclined. Bearing in mind that no man is an island and also never ruling out the fact that you may need serious help the day you begin to think and act as if the lives of your girls are more important than the life of another who isn’t yours (ix).
Acknowledging the crucial role the foundation plays in a building, the writer goes ahead to emphasis the place of our CREATOR in achieving the true essence of imbibing the required virtues in the lives of the little girl-child.
The book is written in the first person from the perspective of a young girl-child. The language is extremely simple and the point of view is very consistent for its time. The book moves at a relaxing pace and is extremely absorbing without being dull or loose. Plot points are tight and the characters both in human and narrative are complex and completely fleshed out thus adding to the well crafted feel of the book. It is unnecessary to say that the book is superb- the fact that it stays with the reader for a long time is ample testimony. Jonathan uses rhetoric to convey many kinds of meaning with just one line, which makes every line very intense and open to a variety of interpretations. Ample use of puns and metaphors put forward ideas about identity, female sexuality, stigmatization, etc. It is interesting to note how Jonathan treats love. But there are other kinds of love that have received comparatively lesser attention. The extremely low-key treatment of the relationship between the little girl-child and the men in her life is startling when one considers the tragedy it may bring. Mothers’ insight into this form of love, forms the basis of the book and the ideas about parental supervision and imposition run as an undercurrent.
“In Love with the Girl-child” changed the way I look at life. I cannot explain why I fell in love with the flawed character in gender genre, perhaps because it is not easy to recognize flaws for what they are and accept them. While actively promoting a feminist society full of highly self-esteemed individuals, the book also deals with the timeless human values of companionship and compassion. Also, most unusually for its time, the book explores the philosophy of wrongdoing through ignorance and its cure through knowledge as exhibited by the author. A treat for readers of all ages.
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