Book Review of A Cage of Desires

(I was sent this book for review by the author)

“Solitude brings isolation and sometimes that’s all you need to gather your pieces and put them back together.”

Renu is a middle-aged Indian woman whose life comprises of her husband, kids, and her father-in-law’s endless taunts. But beyond this veil of the ideal, devoted family woman, is a person who has several unfulfilled dreams and desires of her own. So, what happens when Renu finally decides she no longer wants to remain caged?

The narrative opens in the present-day scenario where our protagonist is in her late forties, and is being visited by her two kids, Aneisha and Avi. It is established from the very beginning that the mother and daughter share a deep, emotional bond. A scene in the prologue leads us to Renu taking the reader through her journey, back to where it all began. We’re introduced to the patriarchal atmosphere she’s subjected to: A nagging father-in-law, a distant husband, and the monotony of domestic life. Renu finds momentary peace in her kids’ laughter, but she desires so much more from life. She craves love, and wishes her husband would see her as someone more than just the woman who looks after his household. A crumbling marriage becomes the cause of the events that unfold eventually and what follows is a woman discovering her own self.

Renu is an archetype of a lot of Indian women her age. These are women you’ve met or known your entire life. The author has very carefully crafted her so as to let her audience see a glimpse of themselves in her actions and behavior. Behind the demure aura lies a feisty being who isn’t afraid of exploring her sensuality. Shuchi Singh Kalra has presented a true picture of the middle-class Indian society which is still pretty steeped in age-old traditions. Although Renu’s naïve decisions and doormat tendencies are not so prevalent these days, the representations still hold true to a certain extent. It’s clear from the onset that the author wants to portray Renu’s growth as that of a phoenix rising from her ashes, and she manages to accomplish that quite decently, albeit not without some unmistakable cringe-worthy episodes.

The novel has an abundance of serious flaws. Touted as an erotica, some of the so-called erotic scenes are absolutely unnecessary. It almost feels as if the writer was going for a mix of Danielle Steel and E. L. James, but ended up on a stranded island instead. One of the relationships in Renu’s life is way too instantaneous to be believable; not to forget the overtly cheesy lines that pervade the pages every now and then. The mystery is predictable and too convenient. Kalra truly tries her best to incorporate feminism wherever she can, be it through the endearing friendship between two women, or the unspoken understanding between Renu and Aneisha. I personally wish we got to know more about the daughter and the friend, since they were both very affable characters. The pretentious and over-the-top emotional drama is what bothered me the most about this story. But overall, I do have faith that the author will produce much better work in the future.

Rating: 2.5/5.

Book Review of Leah on the Offbeat

“If Katie Leung sweetly rejecting Daniel Radcliffe in a Scottish accent wasn't your sexual awakening, I don't even want to know you.”

Leah Burke is a feisty girl who is a talented drummer, loves to draw and yet is too apprehensive about her own talent, and is bisexual, but isn’t exactly ready to tell anyone yet. Not even her gay best friend, Simon. The only one who knows her truth is her mom, who is suddenly interested in introducing her daughter to her new boyfriend, and Leah couldn’t be more uncomfortable. In the midst of all this chaos, her seemingly perfect friend group is beginning to crumble just a few days before prom, and Leah has no idea how to make it all right, especially when she has secrets of herself that could hurt a lot of people, including the ones she loves the most.

A sequel to the supremely loved YA debut, Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, author Becky Albertalli takes her readers back to the world of Creekwood High. This time, the character that takes center stage is Leah Burke, a.k.a Simon Spier’s snarky bestie. Leah is sarcastic, cynical, confused, and hilariously raw. She has dialogues like “RIP Leah Burke. She died of acute awkwardosis.” with herself, and you can’t help but laugh along at her royally witty soliloquys. Becky gives equal flesh and space to all the minor characters. Each individual has their own struggle, and you just want to wrap them all in a blanket and protect them from the storm that every young being faces at the threshold of growing up.   

If you’ve read Becky Albertalli’s previous books, you must be aware of the fact that she herself is a certified nerd. She sprinkles her fangirling elements in all her novels, and Leah on the Offbeat is no different. In fact, it should be crowned for its fangirling extravaganza. The entire story is filled with pop culture and Harry Potter references that are bound to win the hearts of millennials and beyond. Becky’s writing is refreshingly funny and deeply earnest, which in turn creates an honest world that you can most definitely relate to. There isn’t one dull moment in this tumultuous ride of teen angst and drama. She pulls you in from the very beginning, and you soon find yourself sharing laughs with the squad, panicking during their breakdowns, and rejoicing at their victories. As far as stellar YA novels go, Becky Albertalli is surely a class of her own, and her heroine, Leah Burke, will stay with you long after you’re done swaying to her kickass playlist.

Rating: 5/5.

Book Review of A Study in Charlotte

“I began wondering if there was some kind of Watsonian guide for the care and keeping of Holmeses.”

Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson seem destined to be best friends. So, when the great-great-great-grandchildren of the iconic Holmes-Watson duo end up in the same school, people expect them to get along on the first go. Instead, things go a little haywire, and Jamie and Charlotte don’t exactly start off on the right foot. But they’re almost forced to come together when a student, someone they were both not particularly fond of, is found dead. They’re being framed in a crime where the killer is aping mysteries from the Sherlock Holmes series, and they only have each other to rely on.

Brittany Cavallaro chooses one of the most beloved set of stories to take her readers to a crazy ride down the memory lane. She shifts the crime scene from Victorian England to modern-day Connecticut, and builds a thriller that’s very rare in the genre of young adult contemporary fiction. We’re immediately plunged into a world of nostalgia, and Cavallaro blends it with the freshness of the 21^st century to create an ambience that’ll enchant ardent fans and newbies alike. The writing is crisp and smooth, and the plot hooks you instantly. The narrative is fast-paced, and the dialogues keep you gripped. While the ending might leave you with the feeling of a slightly haphazard and almost too convenient solution, you’ll have to settle owing to the willing suspension of disbelief attached with crime thrillers.

Out of the many things to appreciate about this novel, the initial striking factors are the skillfully delineated characters. You’re bound to get attached to Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson, and the minor sidekicks, too, are well-written and interesting. The camaraderie between the lead pair is sparkling as well as endearing. If you’ve grown up reading Sherlock Holmes, then you’ll most definitely find yourself drawn to Charlotte, whose lineage is reflected in her razor-sharp wit. Jamie serves as her comparatively level-headed counterpart, and together they make a pair that you can’t help but root for.

Rating: 4/5.

Movie Review of Veere Di Wedding

Friendship, fashion, frolic: Welcome to the Indian version of Sex and the City. The movie revolves around four friends who’re at different points of the marriage spectrum. Kalindi (Kareena Kapoor Khan) has always been wary of marriage, but begrudgingly says yes to the proposal of her long-term boyfriend, Rishab (Sumeet Vyas); Avni (Sonam Kapoor) is a divorce lawyer whose mom is hell-bent on finding her the perfect groom; Sakshi (Swara Bhaskar) is on the verge of an ugly divorce; and Meera (Shikha Talsania), whose life with her American husband and a two-year-old son might seem picture-perfect, but is not quite so. The four childhood buddies reunite from their different walks of life for Kalindi’s wedding, and what ensues is a mad journey.

Veere Di Wedding truly is the first of its kind: A Bollywood movie about female bonding, which is probably something we’ve been craving for ever since the days of Dil Chahta Hai. The movie tries to stay as relevant to the modern times as possible. The four leading ladies talk about sex, swear like sailors, drink like a fish, and they do it all with complete abandon. And why shouldn’t they? Because this is indeed how girls belonging to the current century would behave (well, almost). Director Shashanka Ghosh does deserve an applause for finally breaking away from age-old norms. The film, however, shows you all of this from a rich society’s point of view, and so you might have to suspend your disbelief when you witness the swanky mansions, the foreign trips, and the designer labels. While the movie in totality is a fun ride, the script, written by Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri, falters towards the end when it all seems too smooth and a tad bit overstretched.

Kareena being back on the big screen after her pregnancy is an absolute joy to watch. She plays the cynical girl to perfection. Sonam, too, is convincing as the daughter who’s so plagued by her nagging mother that she gives in to traditions she herself doesn’t believe in. But at the end of the day, the two actresses who steal the show are Swara and Shikha. They’re so effortless in their portrayal of emotions that you can’t help but root for them. In fact, you’ll find yourself cheering for all the four veeres. The side characters, be it the overbearing parents or the gay couple, are played supremely well, and I sincerely wish Sumeet Vyas had more frames to himself. It’s true that this movie comes with its own bag of flaws, but it makes up for it just because of sheer girl power. This isn’t a depiction of feminism, which is something the makers and actors, too, have been saying since day one, but let’s just hope that it’s a gateway to more kickass, all-girl movies.

Rating: 3/5.

Book Review of The Hate U Give

“Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared.”

Starr Carter balances two separate worlds: one where she’s Black and lives in a poor neighbourhood surrounded by people of her community, and another where she attends an elite school and has to make sure no one gets to see the ‘real’ Starr. These two worlds collide when her childhood best friend Khalil gets shot at the hands of a White police officer. He was unarmed, and Starr is the sole witness of his innocence. Khalil’s death soon becomes the cause of a national protest, and Starr has to decide whether to keep her mouth shut for the sake of her loved ones, or speak up and avenge her friend’s murder. What will she do?

Firstly, I want to say that if you read just one book this year, please make sure it’s this one. And secondly, I’m still flabbergasted at the fact that this is Angie Thomas’ debut novel, because it really does seem like she’s been writing her entire life. I can’t possibly begin to explain how much I loved this book, but I shall try.

Starr is someone you’ll like even before the author reveals the various aspects of her personality. She’s amiable, sassy, spunky, and genuinely flawed, and that’s what makes her so relatable. Her growth and transition from a normal 16-year-old to a girl who’s brave and confident even amidst the scary circumstances is so commendable that you can’t help but root for her wholeheartedly. Angie Thomas does a brilliant job in creating a whole array of diverse characters, not just in terms of race and background, but also traits and temperament. From her family to her boyfriend to her friends at school, there isn’t one character who isn’t solid. I basically want to have dinner with this entire kickass gang.

The real hero of this book is definitely the story. The Hate U Give starts off as a seemingly normal YA novel, and soon spirals and expands into a national phenomenon, a protest whose echo ripples across the globe, and sends chills down your spine. This is an extremely crucial and relevant story, especially in today’s day and age, and will remain so for centuries to come. The pacing is seamless and perfect, and the writing is fresh and witty. The author touches upon extremely sensitive subjects, and deals with them with extreme subtlety, sensitivity, and brutal honesty. This is a story of identity, belongingness, the power of family and friendship and love, and above all, it’s a reminder that your voice matters no matter who you are or where you come from, and that nobody has the right to forbid you from speaking up. I bow to you, Angie Thomas; for giving us a powerful story and such unforgettable characters. I hope you never stop writing.

Rating: A big and loud 5/5.  

Book Review of We Are Okay

“There are many ways of being alone. That’s something I know to be true.”

Marin hasn’t talked to anyone from back home ever since she left everything behind. But now her best friend, Mabel, is flying all the way from California to New York just to see her. Will Marin be able to tell her the truth? Will things ever be the same again?

You know how you read a book, and you just know it’s going to stay with you for a really long time? Well, this was one such book. It gripped me from the very beginning, and kept me hooked until the very end. The author deals with the mysteriousness of the protagonist’s past in an extremely subtle manner, without ever letting it get pretentious. Marin is someone we all know; perhaps she is someone you already are. And that’s precisely the reason why her confusion, suffering, and vulnerability is so relatable. Nina LaCour gives her the perfect best friend in the form of Mabel, and you can’t help but smile at the friendship of these two beautiful girls; a relationship as raw and broken as life itself.

The one thing that had me awestruck was LaCour’s impeccably lyrical writing. It was like poetry flowing through each and every corner, page, and chapter. There were lines that made me stop and marvel at her ingenuity. Each and every character was so well-written and introduced for a purpose. This isn’t a novel that boasts about plot twists, but one that makes you reflect and contemplate. The author knew better than to stretch this story till it became stale, and that’s why I’m so glad it ended the way it did. One thing I know for sure is that I can’t wait to pick up more of  LaCour’s books.

Rating: 4.5/5.

Book Review of They Both Die at the End

“You may be born into a family, but you walk into friendships. Some you’ll discover you should put behind you. Others are worth every risk.”

Imagine a world where something called the Death-Cast exists, a company that calls to warn you that you’re going to die in the next 24 hours. On the 5^th of September, two boys named Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio get this call a little after midnight, and they now have only a day to live their lives. In a weird turn of events, the two end up crossing paths via an app called the Last Friend, that lets you meet people on your End Day. Will Mateo and Rufus’ last day be the adventure they both deserve?

Firstly, this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017, mainly because I absolutely loved History is All You Left Me, and that’s why it thoroughly disappointed me when I struggled to get through the first few chapters of this book. But once I got invested in the story, it became easier to fly through it. The pacing is definitely slow initially, but Silvera manages to balance it out with his effortlessly effective and almost poetic writing. He not only gives us two strikingly different and immensely amiable protagonists, but also a bandwagon of diverse characters who manage to bring the eclectic touch the literature of today desperately needs. The alternative, first-person narration intermingles with the third person narrative of the other characters sharing similar fates, and herein lies the brilliance of the writer in putting together these jumbled pieces of the puzzle. I did have an issue with some of the passages with overly long dialogues, and perhaps the development of Mateo and Rufus’ relationship could have been worked on a little more.

Adam Silvera is famous for his heartwrenching stories, and this one was no different. Throughout the novel, we’re slowly introduced to the individual worlds of Mateo and Rufus while they get to know each other better, and just when you get emotionally attached to these vulnerable beings does it hit you that you have to say goodbye soon, and that in particular is a punch your heart isn’t prepared for. You root for their new experiences, cry over their last bits of goofiness, and can’t help but pray that these boys had more time than they got. Kudos to Silvera for blatantly stating the ending in the very title and yet spinning a story of friendship, hope, and life out of it; one that actually makes you want to read through it all just to see how the events pan out.  

Rating: 3.5/5.