Title: The School For Bad Girls
Author: Madhurima Vidyarthi
Publisher: Duckbill Books (an imprint of PRH)
Type: Paperback
Length: 320 pages
Age group: 13 years+
A book that explores the school days of Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman to earn a degree from an Indian medical college, set in the backdrop of 19th century Calcutta, where social reforms are slowly taking place.
Looking at the description, one would expect the protagonist to be the aforementioned incredible
woman, but no. The book offers a dual perspective, one through the eyes of Kumud, a young widow who finds her way into the school after experiencing incredible hardships, and the second through the perspective of Kadambini’s diary.
The contrast of these characters creates such an interesting perspective to read through. One who
has to unlearn the ideologies that she has been ingrained with, and the other raised by forward-
thinking parents, who support her dreams against all odds. Kumud’s character especially really
settled in my heart. Watching her grow from a fearful, conflicted 12-year-old to a confident (yet still somewhat awkward) adult, was such an enjoyable journey. I just wanted to reach into the book and give her a tight hug. Every point of her character makes sense. Her fear of being inadequate, her idealization of the first few kind people she meets, and her unwavering hope when she finds her people. It’s a beautiful journey to read through.
Kadambini’s character was also delightful, though she did feel a bit more distant than Kumud did
(which is understandable, as it was due to the format). Behind her strong exterior hid someone who was certainly determined, yet extremely pressured and anxious. Obviously so. If the fate of the entirety of the female population in the country rested on my shoulders, I’d be more than terrified! I’m glad that Kadambini was not a one-note character, and her depth was explored.
The side characters, however, felt a little lackluster at times, specifically the girls at school other than these two. Every name felt as if it was fading into the other, and though certain events would happen to them, they as people did not feel distinct in terms of their personality.
The pacing is perfect. There is no point during which I felt bored or felt as if it was dragging. The time jumps may be a bit jarring, but I think that they were necessary to prevent the book from getting redundant. Every event followed the next in a natural sequence, leading to more activity and character development.
The themes are also addressed incredibly well. The emphasis on the privileged raising their voices
for those who cannot is seen as incredibly important here, and this stands true for any issue. The
under-privileged can do their best – and they do – but little can be done without long-term reforms. I do feel as if they could have explored the backlash against this school a bit more, as that was more told, less shown, but otherwise I was satisfied.
Overall, I feel that this book would be enjoyable to any girl in their teens. Kumud is a character who is so easy to get attached to, and the subject matter speaks to many today. I found myself racing through this book, interested in every plot point, and I believe most others will, too.
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