Contradictions in the sexuality of Indian women. Book Review Essay: Women's sexuality and modern India: in a rapture of distress: by Amrita Narayanan, OXFORD University Press, 2023, 200 pp., ₹1,727.00, ISBN: 978-0-19-285981-5.

Amrita Narayanan's book, "Women's Sexuality and Modern India: In a Rapture of Distress," explores the sexual experiences, roles, and identities of contemporary Indian women. The book addresses the challenges women face due to societal expectations, traditional gender roles, and taboos surrounding female sexuality. Narayanan uses personal narratives, poetry analysis, and psychoanalytic sessions to delve into the complexities of women's sexuality in India. The book also examines the contradictions and tensions that shape the lives of Indian women, drawing on psychoanalytic theories and historical and sociological perspectives. The article discusses the complexities of Indian women's sexuality and identity within the Me Too movement, arguing that the movement has focused too much on victimization and has overlooked the empowered aspects of Indian women's sexual experiences. The article also explores the role of male narcissism and absent fathers in shaping Indian women's experiences of aggression and desire. It calls for a comprehensive and open dialogue about these issues and emphasizes the need for a more holistic and equitable understanding of Indian femininity. [Extracted from the article]