The Cursed Touch follows the journey of self-discovery of a mother, wife, and investment executive, Sondra Carim-Edwards.
A sequence of events brings her to her knees causing a domino effect whereby everything that she touches gets cursed. She is forced to go back to the drawing board, to her roots, in search of answers.
A captivating read that gripped me from inception. When starting the book, my intention was to read my normal evening quota of twenty pages. Before I knew it, I was past the 50-page mark. I just had to read more about the mature, sexy, feisty, ambitious executive, who, at the beginning of the story, is on a lunchtime sexual rendezvous with a man who is not her husband.
I was intrigued at how she thereafter nonchalantly returns to the office, and it becomes business as usual. The Cursed Touch is a deep, reflective and cathartic offering on self-love, forgiveness, parenting, friendship, death, religion, mental illness, grief, and family.
The setting is in the northern suburbs of Gauteng and Durban. It is refreshing how Raashida Khan also draws from personal experiences, religion-wise, in growing up in Durban and now living in Johannesburg.
The characters are well rounded, most with a back story that helps to contextualize their feelings and behaviour. The effective use of sub-characters like Muriel, Vicky Moodley and Samantha Mdlalose in the overall story was brilliant.
Vicky was an unexpected feminist ally of Sondra. She actually saved Sondra’s career. I found the character of David abnormally flawless. Perfect husband, father and lawyer. Such characters, even in real life I find to be surreal.
What remained with me from the book was that childhood trauma, real or perceived, manifests itself in adult life. When not tackled head-on, it may be a source of generational strife and dysfunctionality.
The Cursed Touch comes highly recommended by myself. Raashida is a brave, passionate, and hardworking writer, who keeps pushing boundaries. She tackles topics that are often perceived to be taboo in certain quarters. I am fortunate to have experienced her work. Like a great wine, she keeps maturing with time and with each project.
Raashida has also authored books such as Happy Birthday Raashi, Your Voice, My Strength and Other Stories. The Cursed Touch is her third novel, following on from the award-winning novel, Mirror Cracked and its sequel, Fragrance of Forgiveness.
The Cursed Touch is available online and at book outlets. Copies may also be ordered direct from Raashida Khan via her website: www.raashisreflections.com.