Book Review: Humane by Ishaan Sethi

About the book

This book explores masculinity in a different sense. It is like a wake-up call for everyone as it redefines masculinity in its purest form, without the stereotypes and generalization. Humane explores the negativity of the norm, “be a man.” This may only seem applicable to men, but that is the case as many women in the world are affected by the norms revolving around femininity. As humans, we are allowed to and should be allowed to freely explore our choices. For example, it is not odd or invalid that a man is sensitive or that a woman is more logical than emotional. This book is a wake-up call to all the norms we live by, for it's time to cut open our boundaries and truly explore ourselves. Being a man is not being strong, stubborn, or muscular whereas, being a woman is not being foolish, pretty, and flirty. Humane will reach out to many of the people who feel like they are stuck in a box and that is why this book is significant to readers across the globe.

My Take on the Book

Climbing up to a new year

Falling downwards

We all wear a mask

Hang our hands up

And let our legs drop loose

Written by a young and upcoming author, Ishaan Sethi, Humane: Bloom Blooming Bloomed is a collection of prose and poetry that explores masculinity in a different sense. The book is written as a wake-up call for everyone as it redefines masculinity in its purest form without the intention of stereotyping of gender generalization. The book is divided into twelve chapters based on the 12 months, and the chapter starts from the first month i.e. January where the author talks about the rush of the first month, and then it takes us to the last month of the year, thus explaining the end. 

Reading through the piece, you can make out that the author has personally jotted from his heart and it has deep meanings. Many of the poems are beautifully expressed in a way which conveys the message on how it is not odd or invalid that a man is sensitive or that the woman is more logical than emotional. 

Since it is the author’s way of highlighting the norms of muscularity, it gives away a lot of insights on men and women. The book is a very short read, perfect for a leisure evening read. If you love poetry and short read then you will love to give this one a read. I personally enjoyed the book since I am a huge poetry lover myself. You can pick a copy as it will reach out to you in case you feel like you are stuck in a box. This book is significant to readers across the globe and you will be able to relate to it on many levels.

Book Details

Title: Humane: Bloom Blooming Bloomed

Author: Ishaan Sethi

Publisher: Notion Press, 2019

Format: Kindle

ISBN: 1646509366, 9781646509362

Length: 198 pages

My Rating: 3/5