Panchakanya O Agnimitra by Tania Bhattacharya [Hardcover]

The first novel in this book, "Panchakanya and Agnimitra," features Agnimitra Sen, a high-ranking professional in the advertising world. Besides her mother, father, sister, and lover, her life revolves around five other women. Their unfulfilled motherhood, experiences of nearly being killed by their husbands, familial opposition to their ambitions, and melancholic indulgences in life have caused her pain and anger. At the same time, their efforts to face these challenges have made her courageous. Agnimitra's Panchakanyas have intertwined with the main stream of her life.

In the second novel, "Ballari," a girl from a conservative family, Ballari, is raped by her lover's brother. Since the man is insane, he easily gets bail. When Ballari tries to abort the fetus from the rape, she meets Dr. Shankha. Her father has been mentally unstable since her mother's death. With Shankha's help, Ballari progresses in life. At one point, Shankha proposes marriage, but Ballari refuses. She feels she cannot live under the same roof with a madman. However, initially frightened, she gradually overcomes her fear and agrees to marry Shankha.