Review of Rehtaf

[Alex Reeves]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Rehtaf" by Manoj Joy.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Some of the old cultural traditions always seem to have negative effects on people, most times resulting in death and sad occurrences. In this book, Rehtaf - Father of the Fatherless by Manoj Joy, we meet Leela, a very young maiden in a small Indian town, who leaves home for Adakam, India, expecting to attend a church event. However, she's shocked to find out that her family has agreed to marry her off to a young man named Yacob without her knowledge or approval.
 
Reluctantly, Leela prepares for the wedding, giving up her dreams and education. After marrying Yacob, she is brought to live with his family as a maid of sorts. Later on, Leela becomes pregnant with Mai, but questions linger about the father's identity, as Yacob wasn’t allowed to touch her while she was young. Facing challenges and tragedy while living with a family that wants her dead, she remains unaware that her son will endure great hardships as he seeks his own path in life and tries to uncover his father's identity, leading him to find Rehtaf. This story follows the trials and tribulations faced by mother and son as they strive to live a fulfilled life.
 
This book invoked a great many emotions in me at different intervals. Sometimes I felt sad, then I had a glimmer of hope, before I became crestfallen at the turn of events. It was a thought-provoking book that bordered on the consequences of youth marriage, which, in a way, is simultaneous with child abuse. The author established various facts with his great storytelling skills, as one saw the maltreatment and scourge that permeated women who had no voice of their own. It had an interesting output, as in all the discourse, readers were shown an opening where the author sought to have found refuge, a place with a gateless gate, made up of things that are not visible. Some parts of this book seemed fictional, sincerely speaking, but the entire story was told with a conviction to inform and somewhat entertain, an aspect that I found pleasing.
 
This book was written in a narrative voice, and I was led to believe that these occurrences were directly experienced by the author, but some parts seemed to me to be too fictional to be true. The author made mention of Rehtaf, a man who identified himself as his father and instructed him to do certain extraordinary things. These things couldn't have been possible with divine help, as I couldn’t grasp the fact that they did happen in real life. However, the author's writing skills, excellent storytelling, and fascinating storyline made this book a great read. I did enjoy reading it, as it broadened my mind with its intriguing views.

This book was professionally edited, as I only managed to find one error in it. Apart from the fact that I found some parts too good to be true, this book didn’t contain any negative aspects. All said and done, this book was an amazing read, and I believe the appropriate rating should be 4 out of 5 stars. There were some parts of this book which I got bored of, so I can’t say it was a perfect read. However, it did well to convey reflective and interesting information, and a book like this should definitely be out in the open.
 
I recommend this book to readers who appreciate thought-provoking narratives that explore the consequences of cultural traditions, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by individuals, especially women and fatherless children, in such contexts. It's suitable for those who enjoy emotionally engaging stories with elements of drama and mystery.

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Rehtaf
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[RutvikPatel]

"Rehtaf - Father of the Fatherless" by Manoj Joy tells the poignant story of Leela, a young woman forced into marriage, and her son who embarks on a journey to discover his father's identity. The book explores the consequences of child marriage and the hardships faced by women in such situations. While the narrative voice and storytelling are engaging, some aspects of the story may seem too fictional to be true. However, the author's writing skills and thought-provoking narrative make it a compelling read, broadening readers' perspectives.

[Kelvinna]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

[Kelvinna]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.