An intricately woven tale, told with matchless simplicity — House of Cards, stands out with conviction in bringing out the miseries of a loyal and devoted wife, who is the silent sufferer in her husband’s pursuit of success.
Sudha Murty has been phenomenal in narrating the story of Mridula in a plain yet engrossing way. The story is about the journey of human relationships, from the stage of inception where it means everything to a state of meaninglessness.
Through Mridula, the author tries to present the arduous task of an Indian woman who always tries to please her in-laws and near and dear ones, but in vain. In return she receives deceit and is seen as an intruder. Even her husband, whom she accepts unequivocally with all his deformities and defects; by whom she stands in the thinnest of his times; whose decisions she supports despite all odds and sacrifices her own dreams for his success, betrays, which leaves her emotionally impaired.
The story begins with Mridula’s childhood days in her village. She leads a perfect life with joy and enthusiasm. No worries, no glitches. Her life is pleasant and content. She possesses a peculiar streak of turning every negative into a positive one. She is her mother’s girl and father’s world. She grows up to be an idealist with a free spirit and takes the toughest decisions, supported by her parents, to follow her dreams.
In a twist of turns, she happens to meet Sanjay, an impoverished doctor, whom she marries along with his poverty and physical deformity, and divorces her affluent and comfortable life. While Sanjay struggles his way out at his low-paying government job, Mridula handles their family in a fine way. She is not saddened by the conditions of her present life which completely contrasts her previous life. With a stingy mother-in-law, who never visits her, and a wastrel sister-in-law, she is all by herself. Regardless of all such troubles, the couple along with their son leads a satiated life.
But, troubles loom large when Sanjay resigns from his government post and starts his own nursing home. Though money starts flowing in and an aura of richness and extravagance surrounds Sanjay, his soul starts fading into the want of more. As Sanjay indulges in shady practices to reach greater heights, Mridula remains to be in a state of oblivion. However, truth has its own course, and it unfolds bit by bit. And when the curtains are fully raised from the dark lies, Mridula is hit right in the heart. Her life, ideals, sacrifices and her relationship, of which she was proud of, enters into a state of meaninglessness. Depressed and shattered, she takes a decision that will have a profound implication on her life. Her resolution may or may not correct the course of her life, but she believes it will lease a new life into her withered confidence.
Sudha Murty’s understanding about the obscurities of human relationships is unmatchable. The story is perfect in showcasing the deliverance of the indomitable spirit of sensible, sensuous Indian woman.