Book Review: A Bend in the Road by Veena Pillay
I had the pleasure of meeting Veena Pillay at the Durban International Book Fair last November. The way she spoke about A Bend in the Road, with such heart and quiet conviction, left an impression on me. I knew then that this wasn’t just a book I wanted to read, but one I needed to experience. So I bought a copy that very day.
When I first dipped into the opening pages, I realised this wasn’t a book to be rushed through or devoured in stolen minutes. This was a story that needed time, attention, and presence. And so, A Bend in the Road found its place on my bedside table as a gentle, persistent reminder each night to slow down, breathe, and make space. For five months, it waited patiently, becoming a quiet part of my routine, until this May finally brought with it a more forgiving schedule and the clarity of mind I needed to give it the justice it deserved.
And it was worth the wait!
Veena Pillay has crafted a deeply moving coming-of-age novel that brings to life the tender and turbulent journey of four South African Indian girls growing up in a tightly-knit Indian town during the 1970s, at the peak of apartheid. The world she builds is so immersive that I often felt like I was there myself, walking down the familiar roads, overhearing the aunties, feeling the unspoken tensions that quietly shaped everyday life.
What struck me most was how the story unfolded with subtle foreshadowing. We are given hints, clues, little pieces of Meena’s story long before she tells it herself. By the time the full weight of her truth is revealed, we are not blindsided, but that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking. We knew there was a bend in Meena’s road. We knew it would be painful. And yet, we still hoped. We rooted for her, every step of the way.
A Bend in the Road is not just about what happens in a small town where cultural mindsets seem blinded to reality – it’s about what happens when silence is mistaken for safety, and when a girl’s voice finally finds its moment. It’s a story that stayed with me, and one I’ll be recommending for a long time.
That’s all from me for now. Stay tuned for more… and remember: ‘Just Dua It.’
Waheeda, a.k.a Waydi
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P.P.S. My book, Kismet – For roses to blossom is available locally and on Kindle Unlimited.
