INTEMPERANCE

Sneha Mathan's mellifluous voice draws listeners into this lyrical rumination on what it means to be an intelligent woman of a certain age. Fifty-five and disabled, an Indian feminist sociology professor with two divorces behind her decides she's tired of being alone. She's ready to meet someone and marry again. She decides to hold a "swayamvar," an ancient Hindu ritual in which men perform feats of derring-do to win a woman's hand. Mathan captures the ironic tone inherent in each of our heroine's observations, questions, and reactions. Feminists, disability rights activists, and others come to support her, while the men's rights movement excoriates her for objectifying men. Couched in gorgeous prose, Jha's humor is prickly and pervasive, and Mathan doesn't miss a note. Serious fun. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]