Book Review- There's Something About You by Yashodhara Lal

Title- There’s Something About You 

Source- Goodreads.com

Author- Yashodhara Lal

Blurb- This is not your typical boy-meets-girl story. Okay, they do meet, but there are some complications.

Trish is twenty-eight. She’s unemployed, overweight, single and snarky. She knows all that. And if one more person – just one more person – tries to fix her, she might explode. Sahil is thirty-five. He has superpowers. Well, kind of. He seems to think so, anyway. He’s also hot (okay, in a geeky kind of way, but still). And he plays the guitar, helps the underprivileged and talks about his feelings. Aren’t guys like that supposed to exist only in fantasies?

When Trish and Sahil meet, magic happens. Real magic, you know, like fireworks, electricity, that sort of thing. But here’s the problem. Trish doesn’t want anyone in her life. She has enough to deal with – dependent parents, flaky neighbours, bitchy editors, the works. And yet, Sahil is determined to be in her life.

From the bestselling author of Just Married, Please Excuse and Sorting Out Sid, here is another zinger of a book.

Review- I have read Yashodhara Lal’s previous two books and while I enjoyed reading ‘Just Married, Please Excuse’ because of the humor and wit with which it was written, I found ‘Sorting Out Sid’ run-of-the-mill and a dull read. But with her latest release, ‘There’s Something About You’, Yashodhara Lal has brought the zing and sass back in full force.

The story starts with Trish, an almost-thirty something overweight woman, living with her dependent parents in a small boxed sea-view apartment in Mumbai and working as an online content manager for a daily publication. Her egomaniac and chauvinist boss calls her into his office on a Monday morning and lets her know, in a not-so-nice manner, that they have to let her go because she is not “in-sync” with the new and young ideals of the organization. Out-of-work and desperate to get out of her apartment so that she doesn’t have to deal with her nagging mother, Trish meets Sahil who proclaims that he has a special power.

The ever-pragmatic and sarcastic, Trish, believes that she is not ready to be in a relationship. Will Sahil be able to convince Trish otherwise?

‘There’s Something About You’ is the story of Trish, who after leading an inconspicuous life for the first thirty years tries to find her own calling in life. The plot is not really unique but what makes it a fun and enjoyable read is the Q&A column that Trish gets to answer anonymously as Amy.  The sarcasm and wit with which the author writes that section will make you laugh out loud.

I loved Trish’s character and her ability to be kind and sympathetic despite her cynical attitude in life makes her more endearing towards the reader. The twist in the end left me surprised as it was unexpected and slightly out of context. 

A humorous, enjoyable read that is definitely better than the previous two books from the same author, this book charmed and entertained with its simple plot, witty dialogues and interesting characters.

Rating- 4/5

Book Review- After All This Time by Nikita Singh

Title- After All This Time 

Author- Nikita Singh

Blurb- What if you find out it is end of the road for you? Lavanya gets the shock of her life when she discovers that she's HIV positive. The revelation shakes her out of the monotony that her life has become. It's time for a change. She finally dumps her loser boyfriend, quits her high paying but extremely demanding job and goes back home to meet her family after nearly seven years. At home she finds a bucket list and she knows it's a sign of what she needs to do. With her is an old neighbor and friend who's just broken off with his girlfriend. Sparks begin to fly! However, what she learns is that you really need to live before you begin to love.

Review- This is my first Nikita Singh novel and a reader’s comment that she has written something out of her comfort zone made me pick up her book. I had long back stopped reading Indian novels in romance genre after picking a disastrous book by Durjoy Datta. Though I started reading ‘After All This Time’ with a sense of foreboding, fortunately for me, it was a much pleasant experience and I finished reading it in a couple of days.

The story starts with Lavanya Suryavanshi (I love the last name) who discovers that she is HIV positive and in a bid to really live her last remaining days, she quits her stressful and demanding job in New York and returns back to her parents’ home in Delhi. Here she meets her old friend, Shourya Kapoor and together they embark on a journey to complete the tasks on Lavanya’s bucket list. They also try to mend their broken friendship and help each other to face their problems in life.

The book starts on a promising note and the author has kept the reason why Lavanya ran away from her home after her college a secret that she reveals somewhere midway of the plot. I felt that the narration moved slowly when Lavanya and Shourya start their quest to complete the bucket list tasks with their  bickering and then making-up. But the author picked up the plot again towards the end.

I was glad that there were not too many editing glitches and the narration moved smoothly. Overall a light, enjoyable, breezy read. It was definitely a good and deserved break for me from all the dark, sinister novels that I was feasting on. J

Do give it a try if you are not averse to romance novels from Indian authors.

Rating- 3.5/5

Book Review- HiFi in Bollywood by Rishi Vohra

HiFi in Bollywood by Rishi Vohra

Source- Goodreads

Rayhan Arora’s long cherished dream is to be a filmmaker in the Hindi Film Industry but his formidable father has other plans… a successful financial career in Corporate America, and a marriage of convenience with Vanita, a medical student in the US. 

In a final act of desperation, Rayhan abandons his promising life in California and secretly returns to Mumbai to work as an Assistant Director in Bollywood. The characters he encounters along the way become part of his journey of self-discovery - a self-proclaimed local goon with a penchant for acting; a powerful local politician who wants to marry Rayhan's part-time domestic help, who in turn covets stardom; an angst-ridden, homosexual film director; ego-ridden film stars with twisted agendas; and the mysterious Viola who captures his heart. 

HiFi in Bollywood takes the reader from the streets of Berkeley to the film studios of Mumbai; from red-light areas to police stations, and from reality to dreams and back to reality again!

Review-

All though the Hindi Film Industry is one of largest entertainment businesses churning out colorful, musical films every year, not many books are written about this profession where thousands of young men and women land on its doorstep everyday with starry dreams. Bollywood or HiFi is itself an inspiration to write millions of stories of the people working here. I have loved reading books that are based on the lives of people who are part of this multi-billion industry of cinema. It was with much enthusiasm that I picked up Rishi Vohra’s book and even though I haven’t read his first novel, I know it created lot of good buzz in the literary world.

The story is about a Mumbai boy, Rayhan, who sacrifices his dream to become a filmmaker because of his authoritarian father. After receiving a degree in Finance from a university in Berkeley, Rayhan tries to unsuccessfully land a job and due to recession his career prospects in US looks bleak. When he is forced to accept a marriage proposal from an Indian girl, who he thinks wouldn’t make a correct life partner for him, Rayhan knows that it’s time to take control of his life and follow his dream. The remaining of the story is about his endeavors in HiFi and the characters that he meets on his journey as an assistant film director.

Although the plot is mediocre and gets predictable towards the end, the host of interesting characters that Rayhan encounters keeps the story entertaining. The fact that the author tried to shed light on the lives of people who work behind the camera while filming a blockbuster movie is commendable. I liked the character of SuperSpot, the highly efficient and lightening fast spot boy. The story is fast paced and is filled with antics of the people in Rayhan’s life and how it has an impact on his life.

Overall an interesting weekend read!

Rating- 3.5

Book Review- The Silkworm by J.K. Rowling, Robert Galbraith

The Silkworm by J.K. Rowling, Robert Galbraith

Source- Goodreads

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.

When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before

Review-

A new novel by J K Rowling creates a lot of hype and excitement and rightfully so. When I read the first book in Cormoran Series- The Cuckoo’s Calling I was totally captivated by the tall, bulky, limping detective with his grouchy attitude and his enthusiastic and pretty assistant, Robin. They make an unusual pair ( not romantically, though I wouldn’t be too surprised if they have a link-up in the following series).

The plot is well devised and Rowling keeps the guessing game of the killer’s identity wrapped in the reader’s curiosity till the very end of the book. The story revolves around the disappearance of an author Owen Quine who has written a controversial book- Bombyx Mori, portraying several big names in the publishing industry in not so very good light. That puts a few people under the suspects list with a very plausible motive. Strike comes into picture when Quine’s wife employs him to find her husband but very soon Cormoran finds himself entangled in the intriguing case.

A complex plot and a host of characters who have a very good motive to kill Quine and at the center of the story, a book that is full of perverse sex and arcane symbolism- it doesn’t get better than this. The book is unputdownable right from the very first page. I found it better than the first book The Cuckoo’s Calling and it does not disappoint Rowling’s fan. I would have given it all 5 stars if not for my feeling that there were some details that went unexplained in the end. I cannot explain much without revealing the plot and I don’t want to spoil the fun. Go ahead and read it, you won’t regret it.

I am eagerly awaiting the next Cormoran Strike novel.

Rating- 4.5 

Book Review-Shattered Dreams (Ramayana: the Game of Life, # 2) by Shubha Vilas

Shattered Dreams (Ramayana: the Game of Life, # 2) by Shubha Vilas

Source- Goodreads

Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail. 

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.

Review-

No matter how many times you read mythological stories, they always have new and different pearls of wisdom to impart. The great Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata ,are among such gems that people of all age love listening to the tales of heroism and the righteousness and how good always wins over the evil in the end.

Last year when I read the book Rise of the Sun Prince by Shubha Vilas, which is the first part among the series- Ramayana: The Game of Life #,  I was bowled over by the detailing and the footnotes which enlightens on how the inherent wisdom from the beautiful tale can be imbibed in the present modern day. While the first book concentrated on the birth of Rama and His training under Vishwamitra and ends with Lord Rama’s marriage with Sita, the second book describes in detail about Rama’s coronation as Ayodhya’s king and the following schemes by Manthara and Kaikeyi to halt King Dasaratha’s plans and send Rama to exile.  It also illustrates Rama’s righteousness and his unyielding dedication to carry His father’s orders despite His family’s and His followers appeal to come back and rule His kingdom of Ayodhya.

As I have said before in my review of Part 1 of this series, what makes the book different are the footnotes which are full of wisdom and knowledge on how this great epic can teach us to live a morally correct life. Apart from this, the author, Shubha Vilas also emphasizes on the various virtues of an able leader and his responsibilities towards the people under his government.

The narration is seamless and upholds Rama’s virtues of absolute honesty and his undeterred devotion to His parents. The only drawback I found, compared to the first book in the series, was it seemed slow paced because the first part had a lot of little anecdotes about Rama and Lakshmana’s adventurous journey. I hope the next part of the series introduces Ravana, who forms an integral and interesting character in the great epic. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Rating – 4  

Book Review 2014 #21 : Half Girlfriend by Chetan Bhagat

Title: Half Girlfriend

Source- Goodreads

Author: Chetan Bhagat

About the story: Once upon a time, there was a Bihari boy called Madhav. He fell in love with a rich girl from Delhi called Riya. Madhav did not speak English well. Riya did. Madhav wanted a relationship. Riya didn't. Riya just wanted friendship. Madhav didn't. Riya suggested a compromise. She agreed to be his half-girlfriend.

Review: I know the first question that you would have on your mind is ‘why did you pick this book’ for reading. And my reply would be I surely don’t know except that I was curious. The only Chetan Bhagat books that I really liked were Five Point Someone and 2 States. After 2 States I was of the opinion that maybe this Bhagat fellow did not deserve the brickbats that people blatantly threw at his face.

Then came Revolution 2020 and I ordered a copy of the book and enthusiastically started reading it. But as I turned the pages of the book, the realization dawned on me that 2 States from Chetan Bhagat might have been a fluke, a stroke of luck. I don’t know what it was, but I struggled to finish the book.

Then when I heard that CB’s new book was coming out, curiosity got the better of me. Also I was baffled about what exactly a Half Girlfriend is!

The story starts with Madhav, hailing from a rural village in Bihar, trying to get an admission into a prestigious college, St. Stephens in Delhi. There he meets a girl, Riya, from an affluent and rich family. Though the two become friends, bonding over their love for basketball, Riya and Madhav are as different as chalk and cheese in their lifestyle and their upbringing. While Madhav is more rustic and crude in his nature and attitude, Riya is refined and more practical in her approach to life.

But the unwavering truth between them is the love that Madhav feels for Riya, though the way he confesses his love towards her could have been defined as crass and indecent.

Frankly the book is not Bhagat’s worse, but it lacks a strong plot. Madhav’s love seems to be lost in his lust and his constant endeavors to get Riya into bed begins to annoy the reader after sometime. And the mention of the author in his own book does hint a little bit of self-absorption.

I wouldn’t deny the fact that Chetan Bhagat has created many young readers in our country, who love such romantic theatrical fiction, but he has to really stop writing books just so that they could be produced into movies.

You could give this book a miss unless you are a die-hard CB fan J

Rating: 2/5

Book Review 2014 #20 : God is a Gamer by Ravi Subramanian

Title: God is a Gamer 

Source- Goodreads

Author: Ravi Subramanian

About the story:

Blurb- Aditya runs a gaming company that is struggling to break even. A banker slips off a high-rise building, plunging to her death. The finance minister has made some promises that he is finding hard to keep. The LTTE has unleashed terror in America that sends the FBI on a wild goose chase, bringing them to Mumbai.

Enter Varun, part-time drug dealer and fulltime genius. He turns around the gaming company before disaster strikes. Meanwhile, the investigators plunge headlong into the shady world of bitcoins and the Dark Net, websites that only exist for illegal transactions—drugs, sex and money. God Is a Gamer culminates in a stunning climax where money means nothing, assassination is taught by the ancient Greeks, and nothing is as it seems.

Review:

The plot begins with an assassination of a US Senator, Gillian Tan. Adrian Scott, FBI special agent, in charge of the investigation cannot find any leads on who would have wanted the senator dead. The fact that Gillian Tan was a close friend of the President mounts pressure on Adrian to find the killer.

In India, a multi-national bank, NYIB, finds itself a victim of a phishing scandal and Swami, the head of retail banking in the firm, fears that he may lose his job. He takes advice from his mentor and friend, Aditya Rao. Aditya is the founder of a very successful BPO and an emerging gaming company, Indiscape. Aditya has a very murky past but when his long estranged son, Varun, reunites with his dad and joins his company, he is more than happy.

Varun has grandiose plans to expand his dad’s gaming company but unfortunately these plans don’t agree with Aditya’s friend, Sandeep, who is also a co-founder of Indiscape. Meanwhile Varun falls in love with Tanya, daughter of Malvika- the scheming and manipulative CEO of NYIB.

Things go haywire when NYIB comes under news again for an ATM heist of 5 million dollars worth, where NYIB’s customer’s cards were skimmed for data and used to make fake cards for the heist. During a party hosted by Tanya for her mom’s birthday,  Malvika falls to her death from a high-rise building.

At the center of all this chaos is a secret website, Cotton Trail, selling everything shady and illegal- from drugs to pornography. The website thrives in an age of digital, virtual money called bitcoins. Billions of transactions in bitcoins are conducted under the cloak of an anonymous network called TOR or The Onion Router.

As the plot proceeds, each character is exposed to reveal a hidden ulterior motive for his/her actions and corrupt intentions.

This is my first Ravi Subramanian book and all though I had seen great reviews for his earlier books on the net, I never got around to picking his books. So it was with much excitement that I began reading ‘God is a Gamer’.

The beginning of the book was a little disorienting when lots of random characters were introduced and seemingly unrelated incidents occur in different nations. It was difficult to follow the plot with diverse sub-plots being narrated in short chapters. But as the story proceeded along it got more intriguing and the introduction of a covert online website that traded in narcotics and sex was the piece de resistance.

The story is fast paced and the numerous twists and turns keep the intrigue and fascination intact right till the last page of the book. The climax was a little overblown and there were too many co-incidences that made the ending a tad unrealistic.

A thriller of different kind that bodes well in the age of digital living. A definite must-read if you like fast-paced books and edge of the seat action.

Rating: 4/5

This review is a part of the biggest http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank"> Book Review Program

for http://www.blogadda.com" target="_blank">Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Book Review 2014 #19 : Trouble Has A New Name by Adite Banerjie

Title: Trouble Has A New Name. 

Author: Adite Banerjie

About the story:  Recently single model Rayna Dutt does not feel like flying to her friend’s big fat Indian wedding. But she does - and when a mix up with room allocations forces her to share a luxury villa on Emerald Isle with the gorgeous owner of the hotel - Neel Arora - and best man at the wedding, things begin to look up.

Until Rayna’s ex turns up with a new girl on his arm!

Hitting the panic button, Rayna searches for a solution. Surely Neel wouldn’t mind being her fake fiancé? In an instant the attraction they share is fever pitch, but when scandal comes calling, Rayna soon finds herself in more trouble than she can handle!

Review: I’m not a big fan of Harlequin books but recently when there were plenty of good reviews floating on the internet for Adite Banerjie’s ‘Trouble Has A New Name’, I decided to read it and take my chance. Also I had won the book as part of the Tornado Giveaway hosted by The Book Club.

The book started off on a good note with the female protagonist, Rayna, being dumped by her boyfriend and even though she is heartbroken and wasted by the previous night’s drinking binge, she still has a plane to catch, to reach her best friend’s wedding venue. She meets the enigmatic and immensely handsome, Neel Arora, who is also the co-owner of the resort where the wedding is being held. In Andaman Islands. Perfect setting for a romantic escapade, no?

Rayna is stepping on broken glasses all through her friend’s wedding when her ex-boyfriend appears with another girl on his arm, and Rayna’s relatives and friends from her hometown badger her with questions about her nonexistent love-life. Rayna has a brilliant idea and she asks Neel to be her fake fiancé but she cannot hide the fact that she is undoubtedly attracted to Neel.

The book is a light read and it keeps the reader’s interest riveted with all the mishaps occurring in Rayna’s life and how Neel, her knight in shining armour, saves her every time she needs a strong arm to steady her. The romance between them is crackling and Neel’s bitter past adds the much needed twist in the story.

It’s a perfect beach read- light, romantic and thoroughly enjoyable.

Rating: 4/5 

A Product Review for Matrikas Paper Products

Books are magical because they take you to a far away land, that you would have otherwise never imagined to exist. They tell you stories, they make you cry, they make you laugh out loud, they make you sit on the edge of your seat in suspense and sometimes they keep you awake all night in fear, long after you have read that horror book.

Although I rarely write using paper and pen these days, I love collecting diaries and I remember when I was in college I used to maintain a diary (inspired by Dear Diary digests of Betty Cooper). And in this diary I used to write down every single crush of mine. I was petrified that it would, one day, fall in the hands of my brothers and then there would be a major row. But fortunately my brothers were never interested in the silly stuff that I wrote in my diary.

I also wrote a lot of short stories, inspired by the Nancy Drew books that I eagerly read. How I wish I could return back to writing on the good old paper, but I know my illegible writing would be difficult to understand, even by me. But somehow I felt this odd urge to pick up a pen and start writing again.

So when I received a collection of stunning books from Matrikas, I was extremely happy and excited. I promised myself that I would write in it-such pretty books deserve words to be written within it. But first I stared at the lovely covers and all the information that was given in it. And of course I flipped the pages and smelled it. I do love that amazing book-ish smell that new books emanate and sometimes I feel that it’s so good that it should be bottled J

I loved the cute diary which comes with a band. I imagine it would deter any inquisitive eyes that would want to read my diary. Of course my indecipherable handwriting would make this an impossible task otherwise too. But somehow the band securing the diary gives out a strong message- “Stay away pesky noses”.

I also loved the Shirdi Sai Baba notebook and that’s because I went for that option during my registration in Matrikas Blogger Outreach Program. I am not overtly religious but I have strong faith in Shirdi Sai Baba and when I received this book, I immediately knew what I would use it for. For some time now, I planned to write a full length novel- I have the idea, the characters, and the plot, everything in my head. But unfortunately I lack the discipline to sit and write and so, I have been giving a whole lot of silly excuses not to write, like not having the ideal notebook to start writing in. When I saw the Shirdi Sai Baba book, I knew that my plot would evolve in this book.

The cover feels so smooth to touch and it also has a short biography of Shirdi Sai Baba inside the book. Also I loved the handy pages where I can list the books I want to read, work to be accomplished and places to visit.  It kind of gives a personal touch to your notebook.

The last book that I had in my hand was the “Toss and Turn” notebook with an eye-catching blue cover. The 6 subject notebook that I received had an illustration of an old traditional game called “Tiger and Goat”, which honestly I had never heard of before. For people like me, unaware of how to play this game, the back end page explains the rules and instructions. 

Wow, I wish I had this notebook during my engineering days. It would have definitely made the dull and dreary afternoon theory classes more interesting. The Toss and NRUT book was my favorite because of its dazzling cover and the interesting game combination. It’s like I had knowledge and entertainment bundled in one package.

I loved all the three books that I received as part of this program. The covers of the book were unique and interesting, the pages of the notebook were of excellent quality and the diary organizers were thoughtful and helpful.

Matrikas products are elegant, convenient to use with appealing covers.

To register yourself and receive such wonderful books, all you have to do is click on the below link (Open till 6^th October)

https://www.facebook.com/MatrikasPaperProducts/app_190322544333196

Book Review 2014 #18 : The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Title: The Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

About the story:  Amir is the son of a wealthy Kabul merchant, a member of the ruling caste of Pashtuns. . Hassan, his servant and constant companion, is a Hazara, a despised and impoverished caste. Their uncommon bond is torn by Amir's choice to abandon his friend amidst the increasing ethnic, religious, and political tensions of the dying years of the Afghan monarchy, wrenching them far apart. But so strong is the bond between the two boys that Amir journeys back to a distant world, to try to right past wrongs against the only true friend he ever had.

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.

A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic

Review: I loved reading Hosseini’s ‘And The Mountains Echoed’ several months back and I was excited to get hold of ‘The Kite Runner’, since this poignant story of two friends has already created an impressive impact all over the world.

But as I sat down and started reading it, I couldn’t stop and put down the book. I was fascinated with the characters, especially Amir who sacrifices his friendship to gain his father’s approval and love. But then maybe, Amir was really a coward who did not have courage to stand up for his loyal friend. Hosseini has built the plot so meticulously, adding little details that made the book all the more heart-rending. For example, when Amir recollects that as a toddler the first word he uttered was “Baba” and Hassan’s, his devoted Hazara friend, was “Amir”, the tone for the story was set.

There are several outstanding quotes in the book and the one that I loved was-

“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...”

Amir’s life changes dramatically in the winter of 1975, when his decision not only alters his life but the lives of those around him, including his father’s, his friend Hassan’s and Hassan’s crippled father, Ali’s. Several years later Amir is given an opportunity to atone his sins when he has a chance to go to his homeland, Afghanistan.

This tragic and heartbreaking tale of a man torn between his sinful past and a final chance to redeem his guilt-ridden future is compelling. A glimpse into lives of those men and women in Afghanistan during the pinnacle of Taliban rule, is enough to leave one teary and heartbroken.

This book is a definite must read and it left me wondering why I never read the book earlier!

Rating: 5/5

Book Review 2014 #17 : Butterfly Season by Natasha Ahmed

Title: Butterfly Season

Author: Natasha Ahmed

About the story: On her first holiday in six years, Rumi is expecting to relax and unwind. But when she is set up by her long-time friend, she doesn’t shy away from the possibilities. Ahad, a charming, independent, self-made man, captures her imagination, drawing her away from her disapproving sister, Juveria.

Faced with sizzling chemistry and a meeting of the minds, Ahad and Rumi find themselves deep in a relationship that moves forward with growing intensity. But as her desire for the self-assured Ahad grows, Rumi struggles with a decision that will impact the rest of her life.

Confronted by her scandalized sister, a forbidding uncle and a society that frowns on pre-marital intimacy, Rumi has to decide whether to shed her middle-class sensibilities, turning her back on her family, or return to her secluded existence as an unmarried woman in Pakistan.

We follow Rumi from rainy London to a sweltering Karachi, as she tries to take control of her own destiny.

Review: The first thing that came to my mind after reading this novella by debuting author Natasha Ahmed was that good things do come in small packages. This short read has a wonderful story that many women, from countries where pre-marital relationships are frowned upon, can relate to.

The conflict in the mind of Rumi, a 30-something single women from Pakistan, when she falls in love with Ahad is emphatically depicted. The archaic values that have been cultivated in her mind for more than 3 decades by her sister and family create a clash when she loses her heart to the charming and nonchalant Ahad.

Ahad wants Rumi to explore her own desires and decide her future rather than let her family monopolize her life.

Rumi’s decision can not only alter her relations with her younger sister, who firmly believes that pre-marital sex for a Pakistani woman is immoral, but it can also cause her extended family in London and Pakistan to sever ties with her.

The narration is excellent and we do get a fleeting glimpse of life for a single woman in Karachi, although I wished that the author had given more insight into Rumi’s life before she met Ahad.

Butterfly Season is an impressive, contemporary story about breaking free from the hackles of hypocritical society.

Rating: 4/5