Reviews

Behind the Golden Bars of Freedom by Radhika, is a captivating read for young readers that explores the value of freedom and home. Dorothy is enrolled in LEE international school by her mother, much to her chagrin. She is cut off from her social media circle and forced to adapt to a disciplined and orderly lifestyle. Her unruly ego and indomitable character refuse to bend which led her to have more enemies than friends. How will she survive this life at the Boarding school? Away from her mother who was her least priority at home. Why was their equation like that?

Her stubbornness leads to her having more enemies than friends, and readers will follow her journey to see how she survives in this new environment. The story follows her journey and showcases her character development as she gains a better understanding of the people around her.

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Radhika’s writing style is simple yet descriptive, allowing readers to relate to Dorothy’s situation. The plot is engaging with a crisp, gripping narrative. The story highlights how we often judge people without knowing their story, Something similar happens with Dorothy and she learns important life lessons about support and appreciation, as well as the value of what we have in life. It teaches young adults, teaching the significance of freedom and home.

You will explore the themes of friendship, discipline, relationships, and loss. While the story is a bit slow-paced, Dorothy’s journey will remind readers of their own school days. Radhika has done an excellent job of expressing Dorothy’s emotions and perspective. However, the book would have been more interesting with more details about the characters’ lives, especially Dorothy’s family and her mother.

With each event, we could see Dorothy’s character evolve, gaining a different perspective.
The way Dorothy navigates relationships at school and gains a better understanding of the value of home and freedom is heartwarming. The final few chapters are particularly exciting, and the climax of the story is satisfying.

Overall, “Behind the Golden Bars of Freedom” is a light and emotional read that readers can enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Tuckeddeep in the recesses of every human heart, lies buried, the priceless treasure of moments etched evergreen in one’s memory. Reminiscences of carefree and mirthful days spent at school,form a cherished portion of those golden memories. ‘Behind the Golden Bars of Freedom’ is the first book in a series of books that elaborate on the incidents that take place in L’ ÉtudianteÉclairée (LEE) International School, nestled in the small hill town of Coonoor in the Blue Mountains. 

The story opens with the enrolment of Dorothy at LEE. Dorothy finds herself in what she interprets as an austere circus of performing idiots and is unwilling to be pushed towards discipline and orderliness, impractical qualities for which she has no purpose in life. Her unruly ego and indomitable character refuse to bend to what she perceives as irrational rules solely framed with the purpose of bringing calamity into the lives of teenagers at the boarding school. Unable to get her hands on a cell phone, Dorothy is cut-off from her social circle and whimpers like a crow ensnarled in an electric live wire. Thanks to her petulant nature, Dorothymakes a few friends and countless enemies.She sniffles and sobs, bubbles and bobs as she confronts people with various shades of character that she had never imagined existed! 

Masking her annoyance, hiding her fears, she also has her share of fun and adventure with her new found friends. She decides to play up the game,tame her unruly spiritstemporarily,andprove herself to her mother so that she can triumphantly win back her freedom.

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