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Like A Girl
Do you ever get the feeling that girls have it less easy than boys? Have you been told to behave 'like a girl’? That you should learn to cook and be nice and keep your legs crossed? Well, here are the stories of fifty-six women who broke the rules to forge new paths for themselves and others. Adventurous and ambitious, they fought battles and legal cases. They won elections and matches. They climbed mountains and mastered science. Best of all, they never stopped chasing their dreams. Read about them. Talk about them. Get inspired. And go change the world!
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
About the author
Aparna Jain
7 books5 followersAparna Jain is a leadership coach and an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
She is the author of Own It: Leadership Lessons from Women Who Do, which was awarded a Laadli Prize and was shortlisted for the Tata Literature Live Business Book Award 2016. She is also the author of The Sood Family Cookbook (2013).
She is the author of Own It: Leadership Lessons from Women Who Do, which was awarded a Laadli Prize and was shortlisted for the Tata Literature Live Business Book Award 2016. She is also the author of The Sood Family Cookbook (2013).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 29, 2021
Omissions and Commissions and Parallel Universes
It is not as if role models for girls are in short supply in India. The problem is more of awareness of such role models. Therefore, when a book like 'Like a Girl', written by Aparna Jain, came along, and when I was approached if I would be interested in reviewing it, I was inquisitive, to say the least. The book is broken up into fifty-one short chapters and read (I listened to the audio book, via Audble) by several persons - Suchitra Pillai, Varsha Varghese, Tisca Chopra, Aparna Jain, Ritu Dalmia, Malishka Mendonsa, Kirti Jayakumar, and Rasika Duggal. Each narrator brings her own personality to the rendition. Less can be said about the content, however, which is fairly anodyne and rarely rises above the literary level of a hastily-written Wikipedia article.
I doubt if anyone would question the inclusion of such super-achievers like Homai Vyaravala, Lakshmi Sahgal, Kishori Amonkar, or M.S. Subbulakshmi. Some may question the choice to award a full chapter to tennis player Sania Mirza, but club Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, both badminton players, into a single chapter. But surely Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle deserved separate chapters.
More curious, however, are some of the other inclusions. Take Gauri Lankesh, for instance. A journalist who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Bangalore in 2017. A self-described supporter of the violent ideology of Naxals, Gauri Lankesh was convicted of defamation and sentenced to six months in prison in 2016. Should such a person be a role model for youngsters, or for anyone, anywhere for that matter? Should a chapter devoted to Gauri Lankesh not inform budding women about this aspect of her life?
Or take the case of activist Teesta Setalvad. This is what the book tells us about the communal riots of 2002 - "In 2002 there was a wave of communal violence in the form of anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat." Now let's look at what happened - on the morning of Feb 27th, 2002, a train with mostly Hindu pilgrims was stopped outside the station of Godhra (a suburb of Ahmedabad) where a mob of upto two-thousand Muslims had collected, its compartments locked, flammable liquids were poured inside by the mob, and set alight. 59 Hindus, including men, women, and children, were burnt alive in that fire. This was the trigger for communal violence that rocked the state, and in which 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed.
Investigations revealed that Teesta had taken money meant for the victims of this communal violence in Gujarat and spent it on such things as "hair styling expenses ... during her trips to Rome and Pakistan" as well as on "purely personal items such as ear buds, wet wipes, nail clippers, ladies personal items, several books including romantic novels like Mills and Boon and thrillers like Total Control, Blackberry phone...". In 2014, Teesta Setalvad tweeted an image (link) where a portrait of Hindu Goddess Kali had been In the picture, Kali's face had been morphed into a terrorist's and "another ISIS terrorist is depicted with the sudarshan chakra(the weapon used by the Hindu god Vishnu)." That such a person is seen as a role model by the author raises disturbing questions. That the book does not include any of these details about Teesta also says something.
Curious indeed is the exclusion of some notable warrior queens like Ahalya Bai Holkar, perhaps the greatest ruler - man or woman - in the last three hundred years. Or Kittur Chennamma, the Rani of Kittur. Or the incredible Rani Abbakka, the queen of Ullal, who repulsed several attacks by the Portugese over a period of four decades! Included however are Chand Bibi and Razia Sultan. Razia Sultan ruled Delhi for a little over four years, and who still found time as queen to destroy Hindu temples in the holy city of Varanasi and build a mosque on the ruins of the Viswanath temple there. This information is not included in the chapter on Razia Sultan. Once again, one wonders why.
All these omissions and commissions raise questions. Questions about the author's ideology and agenda. Questions about the author's grasp of facts. Questions about the narrative that is sought to be built. Questions about the rigor of the editorial process that neither asked questions nor insisted on answers. Questions that perhaps answer themselves. Or not. Perhaps there exists a parallel universe in which facts don't matter, where questionable people with questionable ethics are deemed role models, and where toxic agendas are the only noble pursuit. Perhaps this book was written in such a parallel universe.
It is not as if role models for girls are in short supply in India. The problem is more of awareness of such role models. Therefore, when a book like 'Like a Girl', written by Aparna Jain, came along, and when I was approached if I would be interested in reviewing it, I was inquisitive, to say the least. The book is broken up into fifty-one short chapters and read (I listened to the audio book, via Audble) by several persons - Suchitra Pillai, Varsha Varghese, Tisca Chopra, Aparna Jain, Ritu Dalmia, Malishka Mendonsa, Kirti Jayakumar, and Rasika Duggal. Each narrator brings her own personality to the rendition. Less can be said about the content, however, which is fairly anodyne and rarely rises above the literary level of a hastily-written Wikipedia article.
I doubt if anyone would question the inclusion of such super-achievers like Homai Vyaravala, Lakshmi Sahgal, Kishori Amonkar, or M.S. Subbulakshmi. Some may question the choice to award a full chapter to tennis player Sania Mirza, but club Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, both badminton players, into a single chapter. But surely Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle deserved separate chapters.
More curious, however, are some of the other inclusions. Take Gauri Lankesh, for instance. A journalist who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Bangalore in 2017. A self-described supporter of the violent ideology of Naxals, Gauri Lankesh was convicted of defamation and sentenced to six months in prison in 2016. Should such a person be a role model for youngsters, or for anyone, anywhere for that matter? Should a chapter devoted to Gauri Lankesh not inform budding women about this aspect of her life?
Or take the case of activist Teesta Setalvad. This is what the book tells us about the communal riots of 2002 - "In 2002 there was a wave of communal violence in the form of anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat." Now let's look at what happened - on the morning of Feb 27th, 2002, a train with mostly Hindu pilgrims was stopped outside the station of Godhra (a suburb of Ahmedabad) where a mob of upto two-thousand Muslims had collected, its compartments locked, flammable liquids were poured inside by the mob, and set alight. 59 Hindus, including men, women, and children, were burnt alive in that fire. This was the trigger for communal violence that rocked the state, and in which 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed.
Investigations revealed that Teesta had taken money meant for the victims of this communal violence in Gujarat and spent it on such things as "hair styling expenses ... during her trips to Rome and Pakistan" as well as on "purely personal items such as ear buds, wet wipes, nail clippers, ladies personal items, several books including romantic novels like Mills and Boon and thrillers like Total Control, Blackberry phone...". In 2014, Teesta Setalvad tweeted an image (link) where a portrait of Hindu Goddess Kali had been In the picture, Kali's face had been morphed into a terrorist's and "another ISIS terrorist is depicted with the sudarshan chakra(the weapon used by the Hindu god Vishnu)." That such a person is seen as a role model by the author raises disturbing questions. That the book does not include any of these details about Teesta also says something.
Curious indeed is the exclusion of some notable warrior queens like Ahalya Bai Holkar, perhaps the greatest ruler - man or woman - in the last three hundred years. Or Kittur Chennamma, the Rani of Kittur. Or the incredible Rani Abbakka, the queen of Ullal, who repulsed several attacks by the Portugese over a period of four decades! Included however are Chand Bibi and Razia Sultan. Razia Sultan ruled Delhi for a little over four years, and who still found time as queen to destroy Hindu temples in the holy city of Varanasi and build a mosque on the ruins of the Viswanath temple there. This information is not included in the chapter on Razia Sultan. Once again, one wonders why.
All these omissions and commissions raise questions. Questions about the author's ideology and agenda. Questions about the author's grasp of facts. Questions about the narrative that is sought to be built. Questions about the rigor of the editorial process that neither asked questions nor insisted on answers. Questions that perhaps answer themselves. Or not. Perhaps there exists a parallel universe in which facts don't matter, where questionable people with questionable ethics are deemed role models, and where toxic agendas are the only noble pursuit. Perhaps this book was written in such a parallel universe.
April 2, 2020
3.5 stars.
This is a collection of stories of some of the most fearless, badass women in Indian history, right from Sultan Razia (who we mistakenly call Razia Sultana) to P.V. Sindhu. But this is not just about the women who have done right. It is also about those who did some questionable things and the author doesn't sugarcoat her words. Either way, I loved reading about them and about how they fought the times they lived in and emerged stronger, if not always victorious.
My only complaints from this book are:
- Each woman's story starts with a dreamy opening, one that is really unnecessary.
- The stories are not expansive enough. I would have loved to read about fewer women in here with more details related to each one of them.
Still, this is a book that you can read to get a basic knowledge of all these superwomen. :)
This is a collection of stories of some of the most fearless, badass women in Indian history, right from Sultan Razia (who we mistakenly call Razia Sultana) to P.V. Sindhu. But this is not just about the women who have done right. It is also about those who did some questionable things and the author doesn't sugarcoat her words. Either way, I loved reading about them and about how they fought the times they lived in and emerged stronger, if not always victorious.
My only complaints from this book are:
- Each woman's story starts with a dreamy opening, one that is really unnecessary.
- The stories are not expansive enough. I would have loved to read about fewer women in here with more details related to each one of them.
Still, this is a book that you can read to get a basic knowledge of all these superwomen. :)
December 14, 2021
This book was insanely promoted and hyped when it came out. I really wanted to read it but the price is still skyhigh for such chapter books.
Well, I am glad I read it now. I am rather disappointed with the contents. The illustration is fine. However, I feel the compilation could have been less monotonous and included much less known pioneers. Much of the contents made me feel like I was reading about women I have already known or heard about before.
Compared to this book, the presentation of "Boys Will Be Boys" is much better than this collection.
A book for the women compiled by a woman. Looking forward to more such compilations.
Well, I am glad I read it now. I am rather disappointed with the contents. The illustration is fine. However, I feel the compilation could have been less monotonous and included much less known pioneers. Much of the contents made me feel like I was reading about women I have already known or heard about before.
Compared to this book, the presentation of "Boys Will Be Boys" is much better than this collection.
A book for the women compiled by a woman. Looking forward to more such compilations.
October 5, 2020
An inspiring collection (with some amazing illustrations) of real-life women from all age groups who dared, dreamed, and did whatever they could to make it a better world for everyone around them.
Read
August 19, 2020At first I went to a book store where I was trying to find a knowledgeable book because I used to read fiction books so I thought that I should change in my own reading skill. So . I couldn't find anything but then my father and sister found this book . I read the summary and I thought that was the book I had been looking for. When I got home I started reading it ! Ifound out that the book tells girls that your not the weaker gender and that girls can do as wells as boys . I think that girls can do so much in their life . Take Rani Laksmibai for example she risked her life forher kingdom jhansi or Kalpana Chawla
March 12, 2019
I listened to this book on Audible but you can also buy hardcover that includes illustrations.
I loved this book. The narration was done by some of the well-known ladies of India.
The book includes 51 real-life stories of 56 iconic ladies of India. I would put this book in the Self-help genre as the stories it includes are really inspiring and motivating. The stories have been sorted in a good manner, taking it from Sultan Razia, seven hundred years ago to Poorna Malavath, 2018, the stories are arranged from past to present and you can notice this thing by yourself.
.
Yes! Best book for Kids and teenagers, but anyone can read it.
I loved this book. The narration was done by some of the well-known ladies of India.
The book includes 51 real-life stories of 56 iconic ladies of India. I would put this book in the Self-help genre as the stories it includes are really inspiring and motivating. The stories have been sorted in a good manner, taking it from Sultan Razia, seven hundred years ago to Poorna Malavath, 2018, the stories are arranged from past to present and you can notice this thing by yourself.
.
Yes! Best book for Kids and teenagers, but anyone can read it.
April 27, 2019
It's not that easy to write on controversial topics & everything that defies the so-called laws of society. The stringent intracies with which they're deeply intertwined in every aspect is
unnervingly annoying. Merely talking or propagating about them leads to unnecessary issues leading to dire consequences, thereof due to the stern stereotypes & presumable prejudices in various levels & contexts. Furthermore, the manipulative moral conducts & ethics get involved, which make things more complicated. Especially when we talk about girls or women, who've been subjected to various subjunctive atrocities & subjugated to unspeakable unsympathetic unsurprisingly unsurpassed insurmountable troubles & often chased as the subject of criticism. But they've been unsuccessful. One needs to understand that women are strong, they're equal & perhaps better than men in many ways. People should realise its hightime that they treat them equally & give them the respect they deserve.
Do you ever get the feeling that girls have it less easy than boys? Have you been told to behave 'like a girl’? That you should learn to cook and be nice and keep your legs crossed?
Well, here are the stories of fifty-six women who broke the rules to forge new paths for themselves and others.
Adventurous and ambitious, they fought battles and legal cases. They won elections and matches. They climbed mountains and mastered science. Best of all, they never stopped chasing their dreams.
Read about them. Talk about them. Get inspired.
And go change the world!
'Even if I die, continue my fight. Continue the fight for what is right & against all social ills that oppress women.' - Bhanwari devi
'It's easy for me to be motivated & inspired by seeing somebody who just goes all out to do something.' - Kalpana Chawla
'Conflict can occur even among the best of friends, but all conflicts can be resolved, no matter how serious the differences. How? Through dialogue, debate & discussion.' - Teesta Setalvad
'Challenge yourself constantly. When you climb a mountain & reach a peak, find another peak. Don't let fame or loyalty get in the way.' - Barkha Dutt
'Noone has bothered to understand that you can win hearts & battles even through dialogue.' - Soni Sori
'Dreams are the seeds that lead to all achievement, but all dreams must be backed by hardwork & perseverance.' - Sania Mirza
'I don't worry if I live or not. As long as there's any breath in me, I shall continue serving you. When I die, every single drop of my blood will give strength to India & sustain a united India.' - Indira Gandhi
'Now with the RTI (Right to Information) Act passed, we can ask anyone in the government to tell us why teachers don't come to school, why we don't have playgrounds, why people don't get paid what they're promised, why buses don't run properly.' - Aruna Roy
'If you want to make a difference, you should be prepared for both jail & death.' -Medha Patkar
Women are the most powerful creation of God. They're really mysterious. Yet, the strongest among all sexes. However, since ancient times they've been subjugated to various atrocities & injustices. They've suffered since eons. The most common being - getting them forcefully engaged & married at a tender age without their consent - where they're supposed to be studying, playing, fulfilling their dreams & building their career. People believe that the main purpose of a girl taking birth is to marry, breed children, serve her husband & family, maintain household chores & die peacefully obeying all the worldly norms created by society. This is prevalent predominantly in India, where typical Indian parents believe that - girls are a burden to them & are better off being married at a young age (usual ones ranging less than 24). For them, a girl's education or career hardly matters.
According to me, a girl should get to decide what she wants to do with her life, fulfil her own dreams, when she wants to get married & most importantly, whom she wants to marry. Well that being said, it's not like people follow this norm. Because, for them society, relatives, presumably the age old prejudices & stereotypes play more important roles than their own daughter's lives & dreams. Putting the entire blame on parents wouldn't be fair, for our society plays key role in this process of subjecting women to this treacherous & tenuous torchure. This further gets amplified by the crude objectification, sexual gratification & so on...
Cover is beautiful. It has been exceptionally designed. It's been such a long time since I've come across such a refine work of art. It strikes a great resemblance to some of the best children storybooks we come across during our visits to bookstores. The best part being the gorgeous illustrations which accompany every story - adds a feather to the cap which is further accompanied by the attractive hardcover. Title is apt.
The amount of research/hardwork can be seen & becomes quite evident once you read this book. It's amazing, the execution has been done in a subtle way. The information imparted has been delivered in an effective manner. The amount of research done here self-evident. Writing style has been balanced in such a way, that all age groups will be able to understand & derive benefit from it. Overall, a well balanced, well-written & inspiring book. A must for all the girls!
unnervingly annoying. Merely talking or propagating about them leads to unnecessary issues leading to dire consequences, thereof due to the stern stereotypes & presumable prejudices in various levels & contexts. Furthermore, the manipulative moral conducts & ethics get involved, which make things more complicated. Especially when we talk about girls or women, who've been subjected to various subjunctive atrocities & subjugated to unspeakable unsympathetic unsurprisingly unsurpassed insurmountable troubles & often chased as the subject of criticism. But they've been unsuccessful. One needs to understand that women are strong, they're equal & perhaps better than men in many ways. People should realise its hightime that they treat them equally & give them the respect they deserve.
Do you ever get the feeling that girls have it less easy than boys? Have you been told to behave 'like a girl’? That you should learn to cook and be nice and keep your legs crossed?
Well, here are the stories of fifty-six women who broke the rules to forge new paths for themselves and others.
Adventurous and ambitious, they fought battles and legal cases. They won elections and matches. They climbed mountains and mastered science. Best of all, they never stopped chasing their dreams.
Read about them. Talk about them. Get inspired.
And go change the world!
'Even if I die, continue my fight. Continue the fight for what is right & against all social ills that oppress women.' - Bhanwari devi
'It's easy for me to be motivated & inspired by seeing somebody who just goes all out to do something.' - Kalpana Chawla
'Conflict can occur even among the best of friends, but all conflicts can be resolved, no matter how serious the differences. How? Through dialogue, debate & discussion.' - Teesta Setalvad
'Challenge yourself constantly. When you climb a mountain & reach a peak, find another peak. Don't let fame or loyalty get in the way.' - Barkha Dutt
'Noone has bothered to understand that you can win hearts & battles even through dialogue.' - Soni Sori
'Dreams are the seeds that lead to all achievement, but all dreams must be backed by hardwork & perseverance.' - Sania Mirza
'I don't worry if I live or not. As long as there's any breath in me, I shall continue serving you. When I die, every single drop of my blood will give strength to India & sustain a united India.' - Indira Gandhi
'Now with the RTI (Right to Information) Act passed, we can ask anyone in the government to tell us why teachers don't come to school, why we don't have playgrounds, why people don't get paid what they're promised, why buses don't run properly.' - Aruna Roy
'If you want to make a difference, you should be prepared for both jail & death.' -Medha Patkar
Women are the most powerful creation of God. They're really mysterious. Yet, the strongest among all sexes. However, since ancient times they've been subjugated to various atrocities & injustices. They've suffered since eons. The most common being - getting them forcefully engaged & married at a tender age without their consent - where they're supposed to be studying, playing, fulfilling their dreams & building their career. People believe that the main purpose of a girl taking birth is to marry, breed children, serve her husband & family, maintain household chores & die peacefully obeying all the worldly norms created by society. This is prevalent predominantly in India, where typical Indian parents believe that - girls are a burden to them & are better off being married at a young age (usual ones ranging less than 24). For them, a girl's education or career hardly matters.
According to me, a girl should get to decide what she wants to do with her life, fulfil her own dreams, when she wants to get married & most importantly, whom she wants to marry. Well that being said, it's not like people follow this norm. Because, for them society, relatives, presumably the age old prejudices & stereotypes play more important roles than their own daughter's lives & dreams. Putting the entire blame on parents wouldn't be fair, for our society plays key role in this process of subjecting women to this treacherous & tenuous torchure. This further gets amplified by the crude objectification, sexual gratification & so on...
Cover is beautiful. It has been exceptionally designed. It's been such a long time since I've come across such a refine work of art. It strikes a great resemblance to some of the best children storybooks we come across during our visits to bookstores. The best part being the gorgeous illustrations which accompany every story - adds a feather to the cap which is further accompanied by the attractive hardcover. Title is apt.
The amount of research/hardwork can be seen & becomes quite evident once you read this book. It's amazing, the execution has been done in a subtle way. The information imparted has been delivered in an effective manner. The amount of research done here self-evident. Writing style has been balanced in such a way, that all age groups will be able to understand & derive benefit from it. Overall, a well balanced, well-written & inspiring book. A must for all the girls!
August 11, 2018
I picked up Like A Girl after coming across a post by Shikha of @chicabeingme who is one of the 26 wonderful illustrators who has worked on the lovely illustrations in the book about 56 amazing women from vastly diverse backgrounds from across India. Picked it up last night and sprinted through these amazing women, picking up again today after lunch because I couldn't wait. Like A Girl has been penned for everyone, as a bedtime reading for the young as well as for adults like me who are looking to रफू ( darn ) some holes in my awareness about the amazing icons from India who happen to be female. I almost typed 'female' icons earlier but hit backspace because they are icons to all of us and not just other women. There are names on the list that you will recognise at a glance, historical figures, sportswomen, artists, activists and more. And their tales are told with a beautiful personal touch to each with a manner that kids would find inspiring and adults would find endearing. But just like not all triumphs have to be professional or academic, some can be deeply personal and private, some of these women have emerged as heroes in a manner we don't always identify as a win. And therefore, the parts that left me more significantly awed and overwhelmed were the ones on Bhanwari Devi, Shah Bano Begum, Rashida Bi and Champa Devi Shukla, Gauri Sawant, Dayamani Barla, Birubala Rabha and Irom Sharmila Chanu. I am sure I am missing quite a few names here but that is what you have to read the book for. :) And when I read the sections on Homai Vyarawala, Devika Rani, Ela Bhatt, Sharda Ugra, I felt so so proud, and I wish I read this book as a 10-year-old, it would have given me aspirations and goals that my 10-year-old self missed out on. For a mature reader, it might feel like a few subjects needed more elaboration, but as I read more sections, I felt that sometimes introduction is more important. I would say the book doesn't shy away from the sensitive topics or smoothen the creases and sugar coat the realities. Read alongside a parent or under adult supervision, this is a book that would so effective in not just providing more figures for young adults to look up to, but also comes in handy when you want to introduce/elaborate/explain concepts like the distinction between sex and gender, notions of equality and parity between sexes, fairness for all across caste creed and gender, and so on. Sincerely recommended.
P.S While I read it on my Kindle because, well I like the lightness and ease of reading, DO NOT miss the beautiful artwork and illustrations. I brought my iPad for it. A loud shoutout to all the amazing illustrators who worked on this, you all have done an amazing amazing job!
P.S While I read it on my Kindle because, well I like the lightness and ease of reading, DO NOT miss the beautiful artwork and illustrations. I brought my iPad for it. A loud shoutout to all the amazing illustrators who worked on this, you all have done an amazing amazing job!
December 19, 2018
I loved Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: I have recommended and gifted this to many. However, Indian women icons required a separate book of their own and I whole-heartedly agree.
I loved the selection of 56 women and think each one needs to be here. Some of the profiles even though well known provided interesting, little known information. Some of the worthy women were not so well-known and this book rectifies that. It also includes Bhanwari Devi and Shah Bano, two brave women who actually never received justice from the due process or if they got (or if it was, it unjustly taken away). Inclusion of a transgender woman (Gauri Sawant) makes it much more progressive, open book.
What though took my breath away was the art! I spent a long time admiring the little details in each of the wonderful portraits. I checked out individually which artists had done which portrait. There is so much range: pastels, water colours, paper cutout etc. Same artist has done pastel for one portrait and water colours for other. So wonderful and so essential in a book meant for children. For instance, I couldn't take my eyes away from Priya Kuriyan's Chand Biwi; it is so beautiful.
This book requires parental guidance to discuss such complex issues of democracy, caste, gender identity, sexual harassment etc. A quick tweet exchange with writer Aparna Jain confirmed that their intention is that there is dialogue with children about such complex issues and this book isn't meant to be 'ultimate authority' on these women. Sure enough, there is a bibliography.
My only peeve was that compared to Goodnight Stories for Rebel girls, though stories are as delightful but they are much too complex and sometimes have complex language. One of the profiles also uses the word 'appropriation' or it concludes as 'conflicted legacy'. This is a book where all stories need parental guidance for the young readers to get the conclusion or make up their own mind.
P.S: I loved Tanya Eden's Devika Rani (she is so beautiful) and then she creates these athletes Karamjyoti Dala, Saina and P.V.Sindhu. It was awesome. Tara Anand's Mary Kom and Anjul Dandekar's Sania Mirza are so close in resemblance. I also loved Tara Anand's Bama - so beautiful.
P.P.S: Suhana Medappa's pastel creations of Kiran Majumdar and Medha Patkar are quite life-like too. Rae Zachariah's paper cut artwork of Shah Bano, Mayawati etc were unique.
I loved the selection of 56 women and think each one needs to be here. Some of the profiles even though well known provided interesting, little known information. Some of the worthy women were not so well-known and this book rectifies that. It also includes Bhanwari Devi and Shah Bano, two brave women who actually never received justice from the due process or if they got (or if it was, it unjustly taken away). Inclusion of a transgender woman (Gauri Sawant) makes it much more progressive, open book.
What though took my breath away was the art! I spent a long time admiring the little details in each of the wonderful portraits. I checked out individually which artists had done which portrait. There is so much range: pastels, water colours, paper cutout etc. Same artist has done pastel for one portrait and water colours for other. So wonderful and so essential in a book meant for children. For instance, I couldn't take my eyes away from Priya Kuriyan's Chand Biwi; it is so beautiful.
This book requires parental guidance to discuss such complex issues of democracy, caste, gender identity, sexual harassment etc. A quick tweet exchange with writer Aparna Jain confirmed that their intention is that there is dialogue with children about such complex issues and this book isn't meant to be 'ultimate authority' on these women. Sure enough, there is a bibliography.
My only peeve was that compared to Goodnight Stories for Rebel girls, though stories are as delightful but they are much too complex and sometimes have complex language. One of the profiles also uses the word 'appropriation' or it concludes as 'conflicted legacy'. This is a book where all stories need parental guidance for the young readers to get the conclusion or make up their own mind.
P.S: I loved Tanya Eden's Devika Rani (she is so beautiful) and then she creates these athletes Karamjyoti Dala, Saina and P.V.Sindhu. It was awesome. Tara Anand's Mary Kom and Anjul Dandekar's Sania Mirza are so close in resemblance. I also loved Tara Anand's Bama - so beautiful.
P.P.S: Suhana Medappa's pastel creations of Kiran Majumdar and Medha Patkar are quite life-like too. Rae Zachariah's paper cut artwork of Shah Bano, Mayawati etc were unique.
February 13, 2019
A kick start for this year
A book full of inspirational stories for young generation esp. girls.
Author has nailed down the life journey of each personality with a beautiful art illustration.
56 real stories told in a nutshell about the most inspiring women of all the eras who chased their dreams, who broke the taboo of being a girl itself.
From Razia Sultana to Sania Mirza
From Leila Seth to Birubala Rabha
From Bhanwaru Devi to Barkha Dutta
Each being pioneer in their profession. Their journey, hardships and battles they fought which made them what they are today.
Today in 21st century women are having equal opportunities but still the right mindset is needed to change especially in rural areas. Basic rights for girls like education,health and security are still restricted in some regions.
This book is a perfect gift for any young girl who has dreams of being astronaut , writer ,analyst or anything under the sun.
A book full of inspirational stories for young generation esp. girls.
Author has nailed down the life journey of each personality with a beautiful art illustration.
56 real stories told in a nutshell about the most inspiring women of all the eras who chased their dreams, who broke the taboo of being a girl itself.
From Razia Sultana to Sania Mirza
From Leila Seth to Birubala Rabha
From Bhanwaru Devi to Barkha Dutta
Each being pioneer in their profession. Their journey, hardships and battles they fought which made them what they are today.
Today in 21st century women are having equal opportunities but still the right mindset is needed to change especially in rural areas. Basic rights for girls like education,health and security are still restricted in some regions.
This book is a perfect gift for any young girl who has dreams of being astronaut , writer ,analyst or anything under the sun.
August 23, 2019
In my view, this is a very important topic, and it could have been a great book, but wasted the opportunity.
First of, each of the 50 women is just given ~5 minutes (I listened to audible version). Before you can starting connecting with the story, the chapter is over! I didn't know about many fo the women portrayed in the book, and would have loved to learn more about their story, but the book didn't cover them in details.
Secondly, while there were some known great women and some brave crusaders, if only the author has stayed away from the political figures, some of whom are known to be corrupt. While the author does mention the possibility of corruption charges on some of them, I felt their inclusion was avoidable.
Overall, something that should have been much much more comprehensive but became rather limited in its coverage and depth.
First of, each of the 50 women is just given ~5 minutes (I listened to audible version). Before you can starting connecting with the story, the chapter is over! I didn't know about many fo the women portrayed in the book, and would have loved to learn more about their story, but the book didn't cover them in details.
Secondly, while there were some known great women and some brave crusaders, if only the author has stayed away from the political figures, some of whom are known to be corrupt. While the author does mention the possibility of corruption charges on some of them, I felt their inclusion was avoidable.
Overall, something that should have been much much more comprehensive but became rather limited in its coverage and depth.
November 27, 2019
The cover of this book had been capturing my attention every time I stepped inside a bookshop. But I had desisted from buying it seeing the high price tag. Fortunately, Amazon Prime came to my rescue and when it was available for free on Prime Reading, I couldn’t believe my luck! Sadly, that’s about the only exhilaration I felt. This book is important, no doubt. But the snippets were too short for me to fully absorb the impact that a woman would have had.
The obvious template - begin with some adorable story of said persona’s childhood - began to drag after a point. It doesn’t mean that I don’t understand the sheer effort that has gone into producing this book. It’s just that I don’t have the energy to like it. I am that kind of girl.
The obvious template - begin with some adorable story of said persona’s childhood - began to drag after a point. It doesn’t mean that I don’t understand the sheer effort that has gone into producing this book. It’s just that I don’t have the energy to like it. I am that kind of girl.
February 11, 2023
Like a Girl are inspiring stories about women and the hardships, maybe a mild term to describe that they had undergone and still stand tall to achieve and bring about change. The stories are a cross section ranged from politicians, history figures, sports personalities and women who spearheaded social change.
Aparna has created a amazing collection of popular women to the unknown ones, at least from my perspective.
My initial idea was to read the book out to my daughters aged 5 and 7, which I was doing, but then suddenly stopped. I thought they are too young right now. Some of the stories… we’re really tough for me to comprehend and very difficult read it out aloud. Maybe When they turn 10, they can read on their own.
Aparna has created a amazing collection of popular women to the unknown ones, at least from my perspective.
My initial idea was to read the book out to my daughters aged 5 and 7, which I was doing, but then suddenly stopped. I thought they are too young right now. Some of the stories… we’re really tough for me to comprehend and very difficult read it out aloud. Maybe When they turn 10, they can read on their own.
December 25, 2021
This book has easily digestible small chapters about multiple women who contributed to India in different ways. It serves as a history refresher but nothing more than that. The chapters also seem hastily written - they are basically just compiled articles of random information and trivia that the writer has about each of them. While the credibility of some of the women she has chosen to write about is highly subjective, she has diplomatically mentioned their problematic history as well. That said, this book is just a primer but doesn't offer any in depth information that one can easily find in Wikipedia.
December 5, 2022
💫I picked up this book due to its hype on social media.I really loved title and the cover of the book.
💫This book covers short stories about the amazing women in India who fought against gender stereotypes and reached to great heights in their respectives fields.
💫Like a girl has so many great stories which are insipiring and motivating. It is simple and crisp read with great illustrations which made it very catchy.
💫I have heard and read about most of the Iconic Woman before so didnt feel there was something unique about the content here.
💫But I feel its a good book for children and pre-teens of today as they can learn so much from this book.
💫This book covers short stories about the amazing women in India who fought against gender stereotypes and reached to great heights in their respectives fields.
💫Like a girl has so many great stories which are insipiring and motivating. It is simple and crisp read with great illustrations which made it very catchy.
💫I have heard and read about most of the Iconic Woman before so didnt feel there was something unique about the content here.
💫But I feel its a good book for children and pre-teens of today as they can learn so much from this book.
August 31, 2018
Aparna Jain selects a similar way of writing to the that of GNSFRG, which results into an enjoyable and fast paced book! The stories have the right tone and are mild but still impactful. I would have given this book 5 had the author not published multiple wrong facts - after proof checking, I realised that she was mistaken about a few dates and a name (writing “Sania Nehwal instead of Saina”). A very illustrative cover which is very attractive. The illustrations are stunning! I will always cherish this copy because it’s signed and personalised thanks to my lovely aunt!
April 5, 2020
4/5 Stars!!
It was very informative read. Read about some pretty amazing women and their lives. Got to know about the trials and tribulation they went through and the success that they got because of their hardwork and determination. I was disappointed that the writer did not include Mrs. Sudha Murthy in this list. She is one of the most influential, knowledgeable,kind and successful women of her times and still manages to help people in different ways. I would have loved to see her story in this book.
It was very informative read. Read about some pretty amazing women and their lives. Got to know about the trials and tribulation they went through and the success that they got because of their hardwork and determination. I was disappointed that the writer did not include Mrs. Sudha Murthy in this list. She is one of the most influential, knowledgeable,kind and successful women of her times and still manages to help people in different ways. I would have loved to see her story in this book.
January 2, 2021
Varied stories said in a short fashion
It was a crisp, but good read. The stories were chosen from various aspects of life and the women who went through that. It ensured that it wasn't another news article, where only the well known names and their stories were listed. That deserves special mention.
It was a crisp, but good read. The stories were chosen from various aspects of life and the women who went through that. It ensured that it wasn't another news article, where only the well known names and their stories were listed. That deserves special mention.
October 23, 2023
Real stories of 51 gritty Indian women, including names like Poorna Malavath, Sudha Varghese, Bhanwari Devi, Amrita Shergill, Homai Vyarawalla and Devika Rani who faced various obstacles and still persevered. These stories will leave you with a heavy heart but also with a lot of hope for a better future.
July 10, 2018
An absolutely brilliant read! Buy it for your daughters and sons, nieces and nephews! Buy it for yourself. Also, gift it to everyone :) These stories need to be heard.
Parental guidance advised for a few stories though, Aparna hasn't shied away from difficult icons.
Parental guidance advised for a few stories though, Aparna hasn't shied away from difficult icons.
March 16, 2019
Hi.. just got done reading Like A Girl.
Got to learn about so many women ( about whom I had never heard of ) and their contributions towards the country& society.
Art Director- Ayesha Broacha’s work is superb.
Got to learn about so many women ( about whom I had never heard of ) and their contributions towards the country& society.
Art Director- Ayesha Broacha’s work is superb.
November 20, 2019
India's "Good night Stories for Rebel Girls". Its well researched short biography collection of inspiring Ladies and Girls. It covers women from various fields like Arts, Politics, Science, Sports, Monarchs etc. A must read for young children and teens.
January 22, 2020
I really liked the concept of this book, so many inspiring stories of Indian women, who have suffered, struggled and achieved in their lives to improve the human life in our country. It is a nice and light read for almost all age groups.
July 3, 2018
Came for the write up, the inspiration. Stayed for the illustrations.
Hat tip to Ayesha.
Hat tip to Ayesha.
September 29, 2018
Good short biographies
May 28, 2019
It's a book every Indian child must read. It will help them grow up with female role models.
December 31, 2019
Love it.
October 25, 2020
A great book for children, will make a great gift
November 7, 2022
Ending 2022 with beautiful stories from talented and strong women ❤️
October 30, 2020
The book wishes to transform the implication of "Like a Girl". Many use the term as a derogatory term. The book presents the stories of a list of women who have struggled and met with success despite being a girl. The author wishes that the term "Like a Girl" starts connoting a more positive vibe than the negative vibe it generates.
It is good to read about the many women from Laxmibai to Saina Nehwal to P. V. Sindhu who have succeeded in life. It does give some hope.
Looking at it practically it does not look like the connotation will change so quickly. The need of the hour is to ensure that the males accept the women as equals and that every parent and teacher teaches the male child to treat every other female with the same respect as they do the other males. While the male superiority has to wane and this has to happen as quickly as possible, it is important to ensure that the scaled do not tilt the other way and a female superiority doesn't crop up its head.
It is worthwhile noting that Nelson Mandela who was primarily responsible for ensuring the end of apartheid in South Africa kept stressing on this fact and he practiced it himself. He ensured that the feeling of revenge did not raise its ugly head after apartheid was lifted.
A good book to read with a prayer that we start seen more such success for the female gender and that the phrase "like a girl" and "like a boy" disappear and instead the phrase "like a human" becomes more common place.
It is good to read about the many women from Laxmibai to Saina Nehwal to P. V. Sindhu who have succeeded in life. It does give some hope.
Looking at it practically it does not look like the connotation will change so quickly. The need of the hour is to ensure that the males accept the women as equals and that every parent and teacher teaches the male child to treat every other female with the same respect as they do the other males. While the male superiority has to wane and this has to happen as quickly as possible, it is important to ensure that the scaled do not tilt the other way and a female superiority doesn't crop up its head.
It is worthwhile noting that Nelson Mandela who was primarily responsible for ensuring the end of apartheid in South Africa kept stressing on this fact and he practiced it himself. He ensured that the feeling of revenge did not raise its ugly head after apartheid was lifted.
A good book to read with a prayer that we start seen more such success for the female gender and that the phrase "like a girl" and "like a boy" disappear and instead the phrase "like a human" becomes more common place.
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