'' Aarachaar '' , widely regarded as her masterpiece , was originally serialised in '' Madhyamam Weekly '' and was published as a book by DC Books in 2012 . Set in Bengal , it tells the story of a family of executioners with a long lineage , beginning in the fourth century BC . The protagonist of the novel , Chetna , is a strong and tenacious woman who struggles to inherit this profession . According to noted literary critic M. Leelavathy , '' Aarachaar '' is one of the best literary works produced in Malayalam and follows the legacy of O. V. Vijayan 's classic work '' Khasakkinte Itihasam '' . The novel received the 2013 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award . It was also awarded the prestigious Odakkuzhal Award in 2013 , Vayalar Award in 2014 and Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 . '' Aarachaar '' was translated into English by J. Devika as '' The Hangwoman '' . The novel has sold more than 38000 copies ( as of 2015 January ) . The novel was translated into English by J. Devika under the title '' Hangwoman : Everyone Loves a Good Hanging '' ( Hamish Hamilton , 2014 ) . '' Hangwoman '' was shortlisted for the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016 . Her latest novel '' Sooryane Aninja Oru Stree '' is being published in '' Vanitha '' magazine
2013 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award
2013 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards
K. R. Meera