The Cuckoo’s Nest (P.B)

The Cuckoo’s Nest is the story of Madam Agatha, a former devout nun who, after renouncing the order, decides to take up the cudgels for the cause of tolerance and pluralism. She decides to set up a unique institution called ‘Nest’ to empower the hapless girls from all over the country, who are often discarded by society. The paramount condition set by her is that none of the resident girls are allowed to discuss their religion or caste on campus. The novelist attempts to portray the challenges she faces from vested interests everywhere while working towards secularism, and how she manages to swim against the tide. The theme is quite contemporary and topical, and some of the issues treated in this novel are staring Indian society and polity in the face today. One increasingly comes across specific divisive forces attempting to promote othering, thereby disturbing the cultural and communal harmony in the country. It is significant here that the eternal optimist Agatha believes strongly that even in this darkest hour, all is not lost. And she continues her fight for what she thinks is right. This novel serves as a soothing balm for the human spirit, which is tired and beaten down by false ideologies.