About Phoenix in Flames:
‘Phoenix In Flames’ is a book dedicated to all ordinary women, who with their defiant resilience and fortitude become heroic and extraordinary. Sana, Sahar, Malini, Mrityunjai, Utkarsha and other female protagonists grapple with their personal demons and tragedies. Some arise rejuvenated and reborn like the Phoenix, others perish, consumed by their own torment. Although from different echelons of society, these women are soul sisters as they are united in their grief and their ability to face the adversities of life with a smile. The book also dwells on social evils like gender bias, under-age marriage and domestic violence.
Will the irreparable loss of her son push Malini to the brink of a numbing emptiness, or will she be reborn as the nurturer of all? Will Sana break through the dark clouds of an impending tragedy or will she perish in the flames of her anguish, never to rise again? Will Sahar be able to fight the desire for self- annihilation triggered by an incestuous relationship? Will the scars left by Farhan on Kudrat’s psyche heal? The readers will find the answers to these questions as they traverse the dark landscape of emotional tales of tormented souls.
In weaving together the stories of these women, I also dwell upon the treatment of women in our society today (India & elsewhere). Sahar is disregarded by her father as she is a girl and is forced into marriage with a man old enough to be her father. Safeena is given up by her parents for adoption as she is a girl. Kudrat becomes the vic8m of domes8c and psychological violence in an apparently progressive urban household. Rachna Singh with emotional fervour and heart-wrenching empathy weaves stories that seamlessly connect and find an echo in the lives of all women. The stories at times elicit a smile as ordinary women scale extraordinary heights. At other 8mes they leave you misty-eyed at the tragic turn of events.
Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:
Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author’s Website.
Author Bio:
Rachna Singh is an author and the editor of The Wise Owl, an international literary & art e-magazine. Singh was awarded the Nehru centenary scholarship to pursue a doctorate degree at Cambridge University. However, a whimsical fate, beckoned and Singh joined the Indian Revenue Service in 1991 instead. However, the call of the Muse was so strong that after completing 30 years of service as a dedicated Taxwoman, she put in her papers to pursue her passion for writing and other creative endeavours. In November 2021, she started a literary and art e-magazine, The Wise Owl, that provides a free platform for upcoming poets, writers and artists.
The travails of a demanding career notwithstanding, Singh has been penning articles and book reviews for various National Dailies. She has authored two books on economic issues, ‘Penny Panache: Piecing the Economic Puzzle’ (2016) and ‘Financial Felicity: Making Sense of Money Matters’ (2017). ‘Myriad Musings’ (2016) is a collection of her published articles and travelogues. ‘The Bitcoin Saga: A Mixed Montage’ (Bloomsbury, 2019), the fourth book from her stable, narrates the story of the birth and growth of cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technology underpinning it. She has also curated and edited two anthologies of poetry and short stories namely, The Repertoire & The Collectibles: Eclectic Tales of 2023 and an e-Chapbook of poetry called Ides of March. Her latest book ‘Phoenix in Flames’, is a book about the fortitude and struggle for survival of 8 women protagonists from different walks of life.