La Lucia resident, Nirvashnee Naidu, hopes her novel will inspire and help women who are battling through an abusive relationship and depression.

by Mariclair Smit – 20 August 2015
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With the country celebrating Women’s Month, La Lucia resident, Nirvashnee Naidu, has published her emotionally gripping novel which follows the trials and tribulations of a young woman embroiled in an abusive and dysfunctional relationship.

While ‘Footprints on the Moon’ focuses on the protagonist’s battle with conflicting emotions and depression, it also explores the lives of her emotionally abusive partner (what led to his behaviour) and those of her family and friends, who play witness to the destructive relationship.

At first she is so consumed by her own depression and heartache that she remains oblivious of the emotions of those around her and the sacrifices they make to protect her. Years later, however, she and the readers learn of the wake of destruction left by her self-absorption.

“As a reader, throughout the novel, you will continue to have ambivalent feelings towards the characters. You will be saddened by their vulnerability, and simultaneously disappointed by their weakness,” said Naidu.

Naidu said there were two factors that inspired her to write the novel. The first was the prevalence of domestic violence in society and then the misconceptions surrounding depression and its sufferers.

“I wanted to inspire and remind women of their worth, and to remind them that just because we are sometimes vulnerable, doesn’t mean that we are weak,” she said.

Naidu said she also battled severe depression in her 20s, at a time when everyone knew very little about depression, and wanted to use the book as a means of educating people on the misconceptions.

“There is no ‘getting over it’ – it is a real and constant battle, a disease. Those who are faced with depression shouldn’t feel ashamed,” said the mother and wife.

Copies of the novel are currently available from Adams and Griggs in Durban and Musgrave, Books&Books at Kensington Square. They can also be purchased online at www.porcupine press.co.za/shop/fiction/footprints-on-the-moon-detail.html