Almost Single - Advaita Kala
The more I think about it, the more difficult it seems to write something about it. For one, I am not sure how to characterize this book. It might be chick-lit, but not exactly so; it has elements of M&Bs, but altogether its substantially different. Perhaps I would liken it most to what we call a 'masala' movie :-)
It is a story of three bosom pals, ladies who are approaching the dreaded age of 30. One of them is getting divorced, and the other two are desperately looking for a good matrimonial catch [before they hit the expiry date from the marriage market ;-)]. They go through a lot of mishaps - comic and not-so-comic, before the first one frees herself of the trauma of divorce, and the other two find their soul-mates in unlikely places/people.
I looked at some online reviews of the book. Most of them claimed it to be an accurate commentary on urban, single, working Indian ladies - using phrases such as - "you will know a lot about what women think", "it gives you an insight into the minds of women, especially those nearing thirties", "it tells you a lot about relationships" ... you get the drift. From my personal experience, I have to disagree with all these exalting statements. The "relationship facts" seem a collection of cliches to me, and none of the single, working, nearing-30 ladies I know are like the characters in this book - they are too busy struggling to manage the demands of jobs, single-living, and parental pressures, to go partying every night. But then, I do not know any hard-partying, page-3-type people.
What I mean is that I do not think it represents real people, or at least the people of my world. Perhaps my world is too constricted :-) Having said this, I will also say that this is a good fun read, with a lot of humor.It moves at interesting pace, and keeps one entertained - commendable for the first book of an author. If you are not in a mood for serious reading, you can enjoy this book for the comical predicaments of its characters and witty humor it is interspersed with.
The more I think about it, the more difficult it seems to write something about it. For one, I am not sure how to characterize this book. It might be chick-lit, but not exactly so; it has elements of M&Bs, but altogether its substantially different. Perhaps I would liken it most to what we call a 'masala' movie :-)
It is a story of three bosom pals, ladies who are approaching the dreaded age of 30. One of them is getting divorced, and the other two are desperately looking for a good matrimonial catch [before they hit the expiry date from the marriage market ;-)]. They go through a lot of mishaps - comic and not-so-comic, before the first one frees herself of the trauma of divorce, and the other two find their soul-mates in unlikely places/people.
I looked at some online reviews of the book. Most of them claimed it to be an accurate commentary on urban, single, working Indian ladies - using phrases such as - "you will know a lot about what women think", "it gives you an insight into the minds of women, especially those nearing thirties", "it tells you a lot about relationships" ... you get the drift. From my personal experience, I have to disagree with all these exalting statements. The "relationship facts" seem a collection of cliches to me, and none of the single, working, nearing-30 ladies I know are like the characters in this book - they are too busy struggling to manage the demands of jobs, single-living, and parental pressures, to go partying every night. But then, I do not know any hard-partying, page-3-type people.
What I mean is that I do not think it represents real people, or at least the people of my world. Perhaps my world is too constricted :-) Having said this, I will also say that this is a good fun read, with a lot of humor.It moves at interesting pace, and keeps one entertained - commendable for the first book of an author. If you are not in a mood for serious reading, you can enjoy this book for the comical predicaments of its characters and witty humor it is interspersed with.
17 comments:
Well, Humor needs exaggeration more than anything else. And may be people like those exist, but not just in our world, bcos we tend to form a world with people more or less like us.
Hi Sigma! «The dreaded age of 30»? How would it be when you're almost doubling t? ;))
Menawhile Blogtrotter is still in Santiago de Compostela, now inside the Cathedral… Hope you enjoy, and have a nice weekend!
Hey Sigma, Enjoyed your review. From your write-up it seems that the book has all elements of an entertaining film! I wish it gets adapted on screen :)
Hi Sigma!
Thanks for your much appreciated comment at Blogtrotter, still strolling in the streets of Santiago de Compostela, now racing the famous Paris-Dakar… Have a great week!
2 weeks or may be more there was this article in paper on all the these young ladies of Indian Literary scene and their arrival. This book was highly recomended there , I was thinking of picking this up for read. I am still not very convinced with the writing style....! Chetan Bhagat was quite bore and Tushar Raheja was like cady floss style.....you know cutesy....stuff.....! I will pick anytime old timer from Indian scene - but this is just my opinion!!
Whats next in your kitty ??
You sure write great reviews.... :))
hey sigma thanks a lot for coming to my blog and also for honouring my request.i am still looking for a place in bangalore where i can buy books in hindi so my all diet of hindi comes from the net.
if you want to read my blog in roman you can click
http://en.girgit.chitthajagat.in/laharein.blogspot.com/
the text is sometimes difficult but still readable. thanks again
Hi Sigma! After a short break but a long absence, I’m finally back to the blogosphere and Blogtrotter is now on its way to Crete 2007! Hope you enjoy and wish you a great week ahead!
Knock knock??
No news, good news?
Have a great weekend!
Gil
oye, i found you, again!!!
but tell me, why no post after june? or is it again my comp's malfunctioning???
pls pls do reply either thru mail or on delhidreams
will be waiting
bhoolnan nahi
:)
Just dropping a small Hi !!
Tk care my friend ~~~
Hi Sigma! Just dropped by to wish you a great season! Hope to be back before 2009... ;)
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is starting its new adventure in India. Enjoy and have a great week!
when are you coming back ???
Hi Sigma!
You can't imagine what you have been missing at Blogtrotter. Now Akbar’s capital city is there for you. ;))Enjoy and have a great weekend!
if u don't post, it doesn't mean k log yahan ayenge nahin :)
Hello Sigma,
Hope you are well, have thought about you often. Today I have an occasion to write. I hardly wrote on my blog for most of 2007 and 08 and I remember how you inspired me from time to time! Now that I am back, I miss you as you seem to be on leave. Hope everything is fine and hope you can come back soon.
I have tagged you for a meme. If possible, please visit my blog post to see :-): http://ambrosia-am.blogspot.com/2009/04/tagged-and-passed.html
Hope you can write on your blog soon. Take care.
more than a year since you came here :) please treat this comment as a gentle nudge or a fervent request. please do step in, lambe samay baad hi sahi.
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