White, Soft, & Fluffy: A Woman Who Refused to Submit by Poonam Jalan | Book review

Book review:

Working as a therapist for years , the author shares her experience of healing herself and others.She pours light on little but true facts on how to heal yourself and  how? Emotions may either make you or smash you. Similar happened with the author of this book who learnt to evolve from her hidden turmoils to a normal person and then started with healing others as a therapist. This book is a memoir that vividly depicts the ups and downs of a woman who stood up for her supportive family but firstly for herself.

The story oscillates in varied timelines and the reader gets to know the snippets of her life from present to past. Being a non bengali person , she studied in a school in Delhi mostly dominated by Bengalis. At the minor age of 4, her father was transferred to a remote area in Himachal Pradesh in 1977. Her moments in Ponta Sahib and their celebrations, fear and her mother's casual attitude shaped her in with lots of disbeliefs. At a young age she got divorced and disowned by her own family.

Her story when she first met Anup Jalan is quite mesmerizing. Their chemistry gave a nice vibe. I learnt about her married life, her kids, her losing her baby boy in 2013.After the birth of her daughter Tina in 2004 ,there was a huge gap before she tried for another baby especially after consistent request of her daughter that she needs a sibling. But when she lost her second baby she was completely shattered. But she with family support cope up with all the stress and she decided to keep a fur baby , her first dog, Simba. 

In one of the narrations when she was engrossed in her own turmoils and depression , she was given a sudden surprise of taking a sky drive. Though it was planned by her husband, but she didn't give up as somewhere inside she wanted to give up or die. But her deep insights told her that if she come alive, she will live her life to its fullest. So she took the ride. After the fall within few seconds she was gasping for air feeling her death is near as parachute took more seconds to open up. With God's grace, she landed safely. At that point she decided to live her life. For others she said: “The shortest way across – is through.”

I liked the fact she pin pointed the fact that many girls in India are raped and there is no case on the doer as he is certified husband and gets legal to rape his wife. Is woman's wish or consent of no value? Though she poured valuable insights of self discovery and some practical tips of parenting, woman self assurance, sexual abuse and much more. She also poured light on how she helped others in pandemic through online therapeutic sessions.

Her indirect way of evoking the soul of a girl or a woman for herself in irrestible situations is really praiseworthy. Though the language of the book is very simple but i didnot like the irregular pattern of narrating her life.

Overall , the book is a example of hardships a woman faces and very much similar to many. It indirectly teaches how one can look for hope even in deadly conditions. A really inspiring read!