Abstract
Priyaranjan Nandi, “One for Joy”: A Unique Exploration of Extramarital Intimacy. Xpress Publishing, 2021 (1st Edition), 200 pp., ₹225. ISBN: 978-1-63850-297-5.
Dr Nandi’s book is a pleasurable addition to the bookshelves of book lovers and those who have a quest for knowledge on the subject. Doctor Priyaranjan Nandi is a noted andrologist and sexologists from the Indian Armed Forces. He served on active service in Siachen Glacier, one of the most difficult battlefields in the world. He is a qualified paratrooper who dares to venture on the subject, which is taboo and sensitive, affecting the relationship of marriage and every aspect of social life, e.g. from gossip to breaking news, religion, social, legal, medical, and other aspects of marriage life.
It takes you on an interesting and informative journey into forbidden subjects. It covers everything from our God’s and goddesses’ katha to gossip and genetics, hormones, neurotransmitters, and many other topics that affect our brain, thinking, feeling, actions, and behaviour.
It has been written in lucid, easy-to-read language with eye-catching titles, quotes, and lots of anecdotes and trivia.
Dr Nandi is a voracious reader; at the end of every chapter, he gives sources of information and recommends reference books to quench the thirst of the readers.
He clearly mentions that the material that has been collected is from articles from magazines, newspaper cuttings, the Internet, and YouTube videos.
Part 1: It touches upon a wide range of topics regarding extramarital activity, including historical, cultural, spiritual, social, legal, and medical aspects.
Part 2: It touches upon monogamy, polygamy, adultery – evolutionary perspective, and love for sex – spiritual viewpoint.
On a large canvas, he focuses upon sex, marriage, love, intimacy, affairs, infidelity, extramarital relations, live-in relations, open marriage, DINKS, DINS, and divorce.
There is a very interesting chapter on “Affaire Amidst Affairs.”
The author describes POTUS Affaires (Presidents of the USA affaires), PORUS Affaires (Presidents of Russia Affaires), Royal Affaires, Nobel Affaires, and Novelist Affaires.
The author talks about cinema and extra marital affairs. Classics such as Charulata, Paroma, Chokkherbali, Silsila, Pati Patni Aur Who, Gumrah, Guide, and Life In Metro would have made it more interesting.
He makes good observations:
In the era of gender equality, why should a man be punished in cases of sexual infidelity among consensual heterosexual adults.
Men fear commitment, and they are the only ones who cheat is far from the truth.
The Internet is a great innovation. It offers every individual enough opportunity to explore their forbidden desires in the digital era.
Like honeybee, author collects nectar from various flowers and in a honeycomb “one for joy” he gives us honey.
The book provides interesting, informative, and innovative insight and inspires readers to reflect on intimacy.