Book Review- Mehak Goyal - Failure to Make Round Rotis: Poems on Rebellion, Resilience-Relationships

Book Review: Failure to Make Round Rotis: Poems on Rebellion, Resilience, and Relationships by Mehak Goyal

"I used to wander the toy store for hours till I found my perfect Barbie. But now a Ken doll has been arranged for me."

In her debut collection, *Failure to Make Round Rotis: Poems on Rebellion, Resilience, and Relationships,* Mehak Goyal brings forth the inner struggles and triumphs of young Indian women in a society that often demands conformity. Through her vivid and raw poetry, Goyal gives voice to the unspoken doubts, fears, and the emotional turbulence that women navigate as they transition into adulthood.

Goyal’s poetry delves into the emotions that accompany toxic relationships, where self-worth is questioned and love is pursued out of desperation rather than genuine affection. She lays bare the guilt and insecurities that plague women even when they find love that they deserve, capturing the bittersweet experience of balancing joy with the fear of losing it.

One of the themes in this collection is the critique of arranged marriages. Goyal does not shy away from addressing the dark realities of these unions, where societal pressures often overshadow personal desires. Her poems challenge the unfair expectations placed on women, from the casual discrimination they face in everyday life to the relentless pursuit of perfection, even in something as simple as making round rotis.

The title itself, *Failure to Make Round Rotis,* is a metaphor for the broader societal pressures that women face—pressures to be perfect, to fit into predefined molds, and to adhere to traditional roles. Goyal's poems are a call to rebellion, urging women to embrace their imperfections, to resist societal expectations, and to find strength in their unique journeys.

Publisher - Juggernaut

Publishing year - 2023

Genre - Poetry

Price - Rs. 399

Cover design - Haitenlo Seiny

Illustrations - Shikhar Gaur

Pages - 199

Goyal’s writing is intimate and universal, resonating with women who have experienced similar struggles, whether in India or beyond. Each poem is a reflection of the resilience that women must muster every day, the quiet rebellions they wage, and the relationships they navigate with themselves and others.

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