>I grieve in stereo at 05:18, 30 October 2019

2019-10-30T05:18:12Z

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{{Infobox book
| italic title = 
| name = ''Cut Like Wound''
| image = Cut_Like_Wound_novel_front_cover.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Front cover
| caption = Front cover
| author = [[Anita Nair]]
| audio_read_by =
| title_orig =
| orig_lang_code =
| title_working =
| translator =
| illustrator =
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| country = India
| release_number =
| subject =
| genre = Novel
| set_in = [[Bengaluru]], India
| published = 2012
| publisher = [[Harper Collins]] (India)
| publisher2 = Bitter Lemon Press (UK and US)
| pub_date =
| english_pub_date =
| media_type = Print
| pages = 358
| awards =
| isbn = 978-1-908-52436-2
| isbn_note =
| oclc = 877085123
| dewey =
| congress =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| native_wikisource =
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| notes =
| exclude_cover =
| website = {{URL|http://www.anitanair.net/novels/Cut-Like-Wound/}}
}}

'''''Cut Like Wound''''' is a detective fiction novel written by [[Anita Nair]], set in the city of [[Bengaluru]]. The novel, written in [[Indian English]], was first published in India by [[Harper Collins]]. To bring out the true functioning of a police establishment in India, the author interacted in real life with the officials in a police station.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite web|title=Review: Cut like wound|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-cut-like-wound/article1-947337.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|accessdate=14 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="India Today">{{cite news|title=Book review|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/book-review-cut-like-wound-by-anita-nair/1/225525.html|accessdate=14 July 2015|work=India Today}}</ref> It is Anita Nair's first book of crime fiction.<ref name=Wilson>{{Cite news|last=Wilson|first=Laura|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/18/the-best-crime-novels-released-in-june-review-roundup|title=The best crime novels released in June – review roundup|date=18 July 2014|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> This book also marks the entry of Borei Gowda as detective protagonist.

== Plot ==
The story of the novel ''Cut Like Wound'' begins on the first evening of [[Ramadan|Ramzan]], 1 August 2012, and ends about a month later in September on [[St. Mary's Basilica, Bangalore#St. Mary's feast|St Mary's Feast]]. On the first evening of Ramzan, in Bengaluru, a call girl decides to go out in the public for the first time. She is a transgender person who is said to be a psychopath, and lures a victim and kills him. More murders occur and past murders are also linked to it. The investigation into the murder is conducted by Inspector Gowda and Santosh. Combating apathy both at personal and professional levels, Gowda manages to crack the case. He discovers a set pattern to the murders, which leads to his conclusion that these murders might be the work of a serial killer. The novel is told across the sights and smells of Bangalore and speaks about the people, customs and geography of the city.<ref name="Hindustan Times"/><ref name="India Today"/><ref name=Audible>{{cite web|title=Cut Like Wound|url=http://www.audible.com.au/pd/Fiction/A-Cut-Like-Wound-Audiobook/B00JJY6LF6|publisher=Audible|accessdate=14 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sunday Gurdian">{{cite news|title=Nair’s ageing detective softly treads the hardboiled path|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/bookbeat/nairs-ageing-detective-softly-treads-the-hardboiled-path|accessdate=14 July 2015|work=The Sunday Guardian}}</ref>

== Characters ==
*''Borei Gowda'', a diligent middle-aged police inspector assigned the task of investigating a coldblooded murder committed by a transgender person called Bhuvana.
*Gowda's wife ''Mamatha'', who lives with their son Roshan in [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]]. Roshan is a drug addict, and the family meets rarely.
*''Urmila'', the former girl friend of Gowda, who meets him after 27 years which disturbs him emotionally.
*''Vidyaprasad'', Gowda's superior, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
*''Santosh'', a Sub-Inspector, is Gowda's assistant in the criminal investigation.<ref name="India Today"/><ref name="Sunday Gurdian"/>
*''Anna''/''Caddie Ravi'', Corporator of the area and one time goon who worked as a caddie before venturing into politics.

== Publication ==
The novel was first published in India in 2012 by [[Harper Collins]]. It was published in the UK and USA by [[Bitter Lemon Press]], and by Ugo Guanda Editore, Duomo Ediciones S L and A.W. Bruna Uitgevers B.V in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands respectively. An audio version of the book was published by [[Audible.com]] with narration provided by Sartaj Garewal.<ref name="CLW Publishers">{{cite web|title=Publishers|url=http://www.anitanair.net/novels/Cut-Like-Wound/publishers_cut_like_wound.htm|accessdate=14 July 2015}}</ref><ref name=Audible/>

== Reception ==
The novel received mixed reviews from critics. The ''[[Hindustan Times]],'' in their review, found the plotting of the novel "tight", and praised the portrayal of Inspector Gowda.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /> ''[[The Sunday Guardian]]'' wrote in their review:<ref name="Sunday Gurdian"/>
<blockquote>The novel is a commentary on the lives of the sexually marginalised, on the blurring of gender expectations, and the emotional baggage carried by both men and women in a world of role-playing and self-presentation.</blockquote>
However, according to a review published on the website ''Women's Web'' the only character portrayed well in the novel was that of Inspector Gowda, and it was claimed that "The search for a good Indian crime fiction series remains unsatisfied; Anita Nair’s ''Cut Like Wound'' is a messy mash of characters and styles."<ref name="Women's Web">{{cite web|title=Cut Like Wound|url=http://www.womensweb.in/articles/cut-like-wound/|publisher=Women's Web|accessdate=14 July 2015}}</ref>

[[Laura Wilson (writer)|Laura Wilson]] in her review of this book in ''[[The Guardian]]'' has observed: "...is a welcome addition to the ranks of flawed-but-lovable fictional cops."<ref name=Wilson/>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.anitanair.net/novels/Cut-Like-Wound/ Book details page at author's official website]

[[Category:2012 Indian novels]]
[[Category:Indian English-language novels]]
[[Category:Detective novels]]

Cut Like Wound - Revision history

>I grieve in stereo at 05:18, 30 October 2019