A Thousand Cuts An Innocent Question and Deadly Answers (English translation of ATTUPOKATHA ORMAKAL)

by Joseph, T

• ISBN13: 9780143460510
• ISBN10: 014346051X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2023-04-15
• Publisher: Vintage Books

Summary

<p><i>A Thousand Cuts</i> is a harrowing, sobering and ultimately inspiring autobiography of Professor T.J. Joseph, who in 2010 became the victim of a brutal terrorist assault, accused of blasphemy after setting an exam question that enraged fundamentalists. This book is an important reminder of the pernicious effect of religious extremism and the duty of every person to speak out against those who would silence free expression' <b>SHASHI THAROOR</b><br><br>'There is excruciating agony here, but also black humour and irony that enliven and lighten the narrative even at the height of anguish' <b>K. SATCHIDANANDAN</b><br><br>'The poignant tale, with its sense of urgency and helplessness, has been sensitively translated as <i>A Thousand Cuts</i>' <b>RANA SAFVI</b><br><br><br>In 2010, T.J. Joseph, a professor of Malayalam at Newman College, Kerala, framed an innocuous question for an internal examination that changed his life forever. Following a trumped-up charge of blasphemy, members of a radical Islamist organization set upon him in public, viciously maiming him and chopping off his right hand. His memoir, told with amazing restraint and wry humour, is the moving tale of his life and family as they went through hell and beyond. Here's the extraordinary story of a man who survived dismembering only to be betrayed by his own Church. Let alone stand by him, it robbed him of his livelihood and isolated him from his community, driving Joseph's long-suffering wife to melancholia and eventual suicide. Joseph's story is one of fortitude, will power, forgiveness and compassion, told with rare wit that will make readers chuckle through their tears.<br>This is a tale that will leave the reader seething, weeping and smiling by turns.</p>

Author Biography

PROF. T.J. JOSEPH was born on 22 July 1957 to religious extremism Joseph and Elikutty, and was educated at St Thomas College, Palai, Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, and NSS Training College, Changanassery. He started his career as a lecturer at Pavanatma College, Murickassery, in 1985. He also worked at Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, and Newman College, Thodupuzha. In 2010, following the question paper controversy, he was attacked by religious fundamentalists. He was dismissed from service subsequently. Reinstated on 28 March 2014, he retired on 31 March 2014. Nandakumar K. (Translator) NANDAKUMAR K. is a Dubai-based translator. His co-translation of M. Mukundan's Delhi Gadhaka (Delhi: A Soliloquy) won the 2021 JCB Prize for Literature. His other translations include A Thousand Cuts, the autobiography of Professor T.J. Joseph, which won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award; The Lesbian Cow and Other Stories by Indu Menon; and In the Name of the Lord, the autobiography of Sr Lucy Kalapura. Nandakumar is the grandson of Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon.