Sexuality, Obscenity, And Community: Women, Muslims, and the Hindu Public in Colonial India

Rating:
Summary: Not An Expert on Indian History, But...
Review: Before reading this book, I did not know much about Indian History, especially the cultural aspects, and this book goes into great detail about Indian nationalism and how sexuality played a role in Indian nationalism's development. The reason that I gave the book 3/5 stars is because the author, who is Indian, seems to write mainly to people who not only know Indian History, but who can also read the Hindi language. While she does give a glossary at the end of the book, it becomes very confusing to read and understand when Hindi words make up a large part of the sentences. While not all sentences are written like that, many are, and it becomes annoying to continually refer to the glossary. Also, pictures and advertisements are spread throughout the book, but some of them have no translation, which makes the pictures less helpful than if they were translated. I understand that in each language there are words that have no translations, but words could have been chosen in English that could have at least approximated the ideas that she wished to convey. Don't get me wrong, the book is very interesting and informative, but the language poses a problem. Had the book not used so many Hindi words in its progression, I would have given it 4/5 stars. Instead, it only received 3/5, but of course that is just my humble opinion. Or it may just be that I am too lazy to memorize the 150+ words of Hindi in the glossary that are used throughout the book.