Book Review- Monsoon Memories by Renita D'Silva

It's been a while since I wrote here. And how I missed you all! It was a nice long weekend that I enjoyed to the hilt with a bunch of good friends. Moreover, with some cooking and stuff at home, writing took a back seat. Coming back to writing is like meeting a long lost lover, you realize how much you missed it only when you actually come face to face with it!

I was dead tired recovering from the past few days that I spent my time reading couple of books. The book I'm going to be reviewing today is Monsoon Memories by Renita D'Silva. I had read this one before the weekend started but got to writing this review only now. Though I'm a person who writes reviews as soon as I'm done with it, coming back to reviewing it later is something that I rarely do. But it would be a crime if I don't write about this beautiful novel. Yes, the book exceeded my expectation and I was drenched with rain soaked memories when I was finished with it. 

From the book cover: “English rain smelt and tasted of nothing at all. It had none of the fury, the passion of the monsoons. Instead, it was weak; half-hearted.”

Exiled from her family in India for more than a decade, Shirin and her husband lead a comfortable but empty life in London. Memories of her childhood – exotic fragrances, colours, stifling heat and tropical storms – fill Shirin with a familiar and growing ache for the land and the people that she loves. With the recollections though, come dark clouds of scandal and secrets. Secrets that forced her to flee her old life and keep her from ever returning.

Thousands of miles away, in Bangalore, the daughter of Shirin’s brother discovers a lost, forgotten photograph. One that has escaped the flames.

Determined to solve the mystery of an aunt she never knew, Reena’s efforts will set in place a chain of events that expose the painful trauma of the past and irrevocably change the path of the future.

An unforgettable journey through a mesmerizing, passionate land of contrasts- and a family whose story will touch your heart. 

My take: The novel, for the major part alternates between Shirin and Reena, giving the reader ample information on both their lives. I loved the way the story was narrated, from both a woman and a eleven year old girl's perspective. Reena is at a confused stage where she is not a child anymore but on the brink of adolescence. Shirin, meanwhile though settled in London with a high flying career is still battling her own demons that refuses to leave her. 

In addition to the two protagonists, there are a lot of other lovable characters, who despite their flaws have one thing in common- love for their family. Be it Shirin's husband Vinod- the patient husband, Preeti and Deepak- who are the ideal parents to Reena or Madhu- the one person who though not related to the family plays an important role in their lives. 

Monsoon Memories, true to its name, ensures that you are left with a bout of nostalgia even beyond the pages. If you have grown up in India or more specifically South India, you can relate to each and every word that's written. Be it the monsoons, the mouth watering delicacies, coconut trees, the joy of discovering something old, visiting your parent's old house that they grew up in, the book has it all. 

Being a debut novel, I was amazed at the way Renita has weaved the story so effortlessly. Spanning across London and India, the story is rich in prose and description. I could feel for Shirin's pain, Reena's dilemma, Vinod's helplessness. This is not just the story about a family, it is a lot more than that. The emotions evoked by the author through her words are absolutely brilliant. 

I do not want to say more about the story as it would take the suspense away while reading it. But what I can say is this- you will not regret spending your time over this one. In a time when debut novels are coming out by the dozen each month, I know for sure that this is one author whose remaining works I shall look forward to. She has already written couple more books and I'm waiting to get my hands on those as well. 

The sights and smells of monsoon lingers throughout the novel making you feel nostalgic for home. This one definitely deserves a four stars on five for a well edited, beautifully narrated story that is to be applauded even in its simplicity. 

The Accident

Image copyright: Marie Gail Stratford

Looking back on that fated day, I feel it was an omen. We first met at a bar, where I was sitting drunk, nursing my bottle of vodka. 

You looked into my eyes and smiled, I fell for you then and there. Or maybe, it was the offer to buy me a drink seeing my condition. 

Either ways, I had no regrets when I woke up the next morning in your bed, wearing your shirt.

It was meant to be a one night stand but the two pink lines that I saw on the pregnancy kit today, told me otherwise. 

This drabble is written for Friday Fictioneers- 26th September for the above photo prompt. 

A Writer's Dilemma

Image courtesy: Google

I was ready to tear my hair out in frustration; the very purpose of this visit was lost. Here I was, a struggling writer who wanted some peace and quiet, sitting secluded in my hotel room. 

Just a minor hiccup- I could't write; call it writer's block or simply the lack of creative juices flowing when I needed it the most. 

I was confused, such breathtaking sights outside the window that called out to me and the inability to concentrate on what my protagonist needed, on the other hand. 

The breeze, crisp and fresh, wafted in through the open window, caressing my face; I shut down my laptop and went outside, where hopefully, the answers would greet me. 

This post is written for Five sentence fiction for Confusion at Lillie McFerrin Writes.

A Stranger in You

Image courtesy: Google

We met as strangers; a heady combination of my lavender against your woody aftershave. A secret glance, when you thought I was not looking. An amused smile. We were opposites, poles apart from each other. And maybe, that was what drew us together. 

I was a writer, books were my entire life. But you, on the other hand, didn't even glance at a book unless it included Sports Illustrated. 

Never had I dreamt in a million years that I would find myself besotted with someone like you. Six months was all that we got to know about each other. Yet, it felt like six years, the end of which I knew right away that you were the One. 

Years have passed, at times I've felt that I know you like the back of my hand. But there are days when you remain a mystery, eluding me like a stranger. There had been a lot who had thought that it would never work out between the both of us. That there was no way on earth that we could exist together. 

But with each passing day, we proved them wrong. Sure, there are days when I feel like I've totally lost it. Yet, you hang in there with me, patiently. 

And here we are today. As strangers we met, but now the very idea of life seems bleak without you in it. 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Book Review- Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai by Madhuri Banerjee

Madhuri Banerjee is a writer that I love reading immensely. She has the talent of hooking your interest right from page one. So when I saw her latest on Flipkart, I didn't think twice about clicking on the 'Buy' button. I have been following the author on her blog for a long time now and I love the way she tackles subjects like sex and relationships. 

From the book cover- Sapphire Towers: just another residential high-rise in Mumbai where the humdrum routine of daily life carries on with clockwork precision. But, beneath the tranquil surface lurks a web of deceit and lies spun by a group of lonely housewives.

Gita, frustrated mother of two young daughters, longs to escape the monotony of her marriage—and lusts after a forbidden relationship. Sarita, conservative Gujarati housewife and mother, is addicted to kinky sex and pays a dear price for it. Stylish working mother, Aarti, nurses an appalling secret that could end her marriage. And sultry ex-model Natasha, who seems to have it all, is hopelessly in love with a much younger man—the son of one of her friends.

Even as these women scramble to conceal their darkest secrets, an anonymous email is sent out to all the residents of Sapphire Towers, and has horrific consequences.

Racy and unputdownable, Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai is the first book in the sizzling new series by bestselling author Madhuri Banerjee, which  tell the stories of the unsung housewives of urban India who will go to any lengths to fulfil their deepest, darkest desires.

My Take: When I read the blurb and the title of the book, I was reminded about the popular TV show - Desperate Housewives that I had recently finished watching. I was a bit disappointed at first when I felt it was too similar to the TV show. Natasha, the ex-model reminded me of Gabrielle Solis in the show who has an affair with a younger man and the stylish working mother- Aarti reminded me of Lynette Scavo. But that was where the resemblance ended. 

A few pages into the novel and I was engrossed well into the story. I loved how the author has chosen to end each chapter in suspense, making the reader want to continue to the next one. At first, I was bit irritated and skeptical since a lot of the housewives are portrayed to be doormats to their husbands and in-laws, even though all of them are strong willed and educated. 

But towards the end of the story, I'm glad to say that my assumption went for a toss. All the four housewives are believable and are the women we see around us, if we look carefully. As Gita begins an affair with her brother-in-law, Aarti bumps into her ex at a party-who offers her all that is missing in her marriage. While Natasha has a fling with her best friend Sarita's son, Sarita and her husband have their own secrets in their bedroom, one that can be quite scandalous when it comes out.

The turning point of the story is the anonymous email that gets circulated among the residents of Sapphire Towers threatening to reveal all the deadly secrets that the housewives guard with all their heart. The story is engrossing and keeps your interest right till the last page. I finished reading the book in couple of days straight as I simply had to know what happened next. 

The sex scenes in the book are nicely done without being vulgar. Madhuri also writes about a lot of issues that many urban families would like to keep under wraps- be it the bedroom secrets, handling adolescents or the choices that a woman is forced to make by the so called society.  If you like reading books by Shobhaa De like me, then this is the book for you. Though the novels written by Shobhaa De have a stronger plot line and her heroines are much more reckless, Madhuri's stories are much more toned down making it a lot more believable, if you know what I mean. 

What I didn't like was the book cover. I really wish the publishers could have picked up a more suitable jacket that did justice to the story inside. Though I have read all the novels by Madhuri, I must say that this was her best one so far. I have enjoyed reading her previous works but she handles a lot of sensitive issues in this one, that its hard to ignore the fact. It's rather evident how much she has grown as a writer with Scandalous Housewives. I would definitely give this one a four stars on five. 

I highly recommend this book if you like reading Indian writers like Shobhaa De. It's a very well written and edited book and I'm sure that you would not regret a waste of money or time after reading this one. This one is a part of a series and I know that I would grab the next one as soon as it's out! Moreover, you shall get all the answers to the one question that is written on the book cover:

What happens when what lies between the sheets becomes the linen that is washed in public?

Bottom line- I loved it!

Solace

Image courtesy: Tumblr

I spent my whole life 

Searching for the one thing

That would make it whole

In people, places, things

But now I know that 

Happiness comes from within

And the only person that can 

Give you solace is yourself

Book Review- Seeing the Girl by Anuradha Vijayakrishnan

For me, there have been two types of books- ones that are remembered for its brilliant story line and the ones that are remembered for the beautiful narration and language, even thought the story may not be one where there are a lot of twist and turns. Seeing the girl belongs to the latter category. 

From the book cover: Seeing the girl is the story of three women who live inside one another's lives dangerously. Janaki is poised to enter into a conventional 'arranged marriage' when unanticipated events break out. A marriage takes place; a daughter is exiled from the sanctuary of her home while the other struggles to build a life. Then someone dies, caught in the vindictive shadow-play of life and secrets that must stay buried. 

Janaki narrates this dark and intricate story, pausing to let Amma and Leela too interweave their versions of the truth. Yet the story never ends: the survivors are merely tired victims who must outlive every fatal tragedy.

My take: The novel is narrated in the first person by Janaki or Janu, as she is called, the protagonist. Her mother and sister- Leela are given a chance to tell their side of the story as well. What I loved about the book is its beautiful and lyrical prose that the author has used. Sprinkled with the right dose of Malayalam words that are essential to the crux of the story, many a time, I felt that it was woven together like a poem. 

The reason could be that the author herself has confessed to poetry being her first love. It is evident from the way she narrates and being her debut novel, it certainly calls for a loud cheer. Her writing reminded me of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, a personal favorite author. The story even reminded me of her 'Sister of my heart'. Though both books talk about the relationship between sisters, Anuradha dwells into the darker corners of their thoughts and secrets. 

When Rohit, the boy who had come 'to see' Janaki, eventually gets married to Leela, it sets about a turn of events for which there are grave consequences. Also playing an important role in the story is Chitra-Kunjamma, her father's first cousin. 

The book is not too long (290 pages) and I was finished with it in a few days. I loved how the story had started off, but felt it was a bit dragging towards the middle. Like I mentioned before, it is not a book which actually moves forward with a lot of twist and turns. It gives us insights into the female mind - the love and the destruction that a woman is capable of. 

I would give this one a three stars on five. Being from Kerala, I could relate to a lot in the story- the stereotypes that a woman is often subjected to, the decisions that she is forced to make. I also loved Janaki, with all her faults and fears. This is one book which has to be read patiently. Give it a read if you are prepared to do so!