December 3, 2008
‘Paddy Indian’ is yet another “NRI” novel, battling the all-so-familiar issues we come across in books of this genre; yet it is refreshingly different. For starters, Madhavan has chosen an off-the-beaten-track locale for her debut novel – Ireland. So, fancy a young Indian (Tamil to be specific) doctor, who lands in Dublin to practice at a local hospital there and eventually appear for his Fellowship exams. That is Padhman (or Paddy) for you. Hailing from a wealthy, medical, “westernized” family in Madras, Padhman finds himself in the company of his childhood friends, Renu and Sunil (an easy-going, fun loving, happily married couple). He also finds himself being self-conscious for the fact that he is an “Indian”, a “foreigner” in an Irishman’s world. Yet this is the land where he finds his true love – Aoife. This love interest ruffles doubt and speculation for both the Irish and Indian families. Does their love survive the cross-cultural test? What happens when Padhman’s world is shaken by a traumatic incident?
The novel is fast-paced, interesting and makes a good read. There is a healthy sprinkling of Tamil slang and references to iconic buildings in Chennai, which makes the reader silently smile; the relationship between Padhman, Renu and Sunil is well brought out and totally identifiable; the situations, people and conversations are all something you can relate to. All in all, ‘Paddy Indian’ is old wine in a new bottle – nothing spectacular yet definitely worth reading.
November 22, 2008
If you have been missing Bridget Jones’ journal for a really long time you could read about this desi Bridget Jones, Aisha. Except that the book is not in the form of a journal but a narration of an acutely self obsessed life.
The girl’s got a few failed relationships, taste for wine(not alcoholic!), a few gay friends(not happy, gay!) and a really good best friend to bitch with and sought quick fixes for hurdles in her life. If you are wondering what’s new, it’s the backdrop. It’s not Manhattan or London… it is India.
The current India, where the Bridget Jones’ live alone, juggling between Karva Chauth parties and halloween, juggling between daunting Moms with separation anxities and nosy neighborhood aunties who despise young women having fun…juggling between cute looking sensitive boyfriends and great careers! The story line.. all the same… desperate Bridget meets boy and they live happily ever after? That’s for you to find out. You could manage a few laughs here and there if you can empathise.
Pick up this book only if you are almost single or almost desperate for a read.
December 23, 2008
I enjoyed the first few pages of the book immensely. The story takes a hilarious look at the world of advertising. Pseudo-creative individuals, eccentric bosses, et al. Being in the same field, I could totally relate to the quirkypeople in the profession.
But as I flipped the pages, I realised its only a setting for a full-blown Bollywood Chick lit. Anuja Chauhan has taken a desi Bridget Jones, Cricket (the most loved and hated game in India), some typical Indian Superstions, gorgeous foreign locales, spiced with a bit of romance, tossed it all up in a witty pan with some real bollywoody characters and there you have it – The Zoya Factor.
A lowly account executive Zoya suddenly realises she can make the Indian Cricket team win, just by sitting with them for breakfast. Word spreads fast and she’s a national phenomenon. The sceptic captain, Nikhil Khoda does everything to prove it wrong. But the team loses morale when she’s not around and lose even an easy match.
So the cricket board lets her travel to Australia for the world cup. (Of course, her dad will not let her travel without a chaperone. So she takes along her aunt and her own yuppy boss with her 5 year old son who loves to look up at skirts of gorgeous women.)
Things hot up between Zoya and Nikhil…
Do they get together? Does she help the Indian team win the world cup?
Read on if you’re in for a light read replete with romance and Bollywood masala.
The book has been so cleverly put together. The character studies are so genuine. Not surprising since its author is very successful writer in advertising who has given us legendary lines like “Ye Dil Mange more…”
June 3, 2008
This book is another classic Jhumpa Lahiri.
Simple stories that touch your heart. You get involved with the characters from page one.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. The stories capture the dilemmas and problems faced by people living in a foreign country, but who still long for their roots.
A poignant look at the clash of gen-next ABCDs and their nostalgic parents…
In one such story a daughter feels that her parents’ yearning for India is like a disease, which she has to ease! (I don’t remember the exact words, but this is the gist)
I can only add more accolades to this book. But whatever I say will only be variations of all that has already been said.
But why does Lahiri’s stories ooze sorrow? There’s no such thing as ‘feel-good’ read here.
Though I loved reading the book and flew from one story to another in record time, I closed the book with a heavy heart. The characters stayed with me for a very long time…
Hats off..
May 11, 2008
Do you make it a part of your conversation to talk about the books you read? That’s exactly what we are going to be doing here. We are going to be talking about books that we have read, love to read, review it in our own words…like how we would share our experience with the book to our friends and family. Aninda my friend and I were chatversing one afternoon and got chatting about a lack of a book club in our neighborhood. Then there was this brain wave to start our own. As most of our friends are well kept virtually, we thought we would extend it to our virtual neighborhood. What’s more we all get to choose the friends and the family members whose reviews we could go by.So go on spread the virus… Happy BookVenturing!
‘Paddy Indian’ is yet another “NRI” novel, battling the all-so-familiar issues we come across in books of this genre; yet it is refreshingly different. For starters, Madhavan has chosen an off-the-beaten-track locale for her debut novel – Ireland. So, fancy a young Indian (Tamil to be specific) doctor, who lands in Dublin to practice at a local hospital there and eventually appear for his Fellowship exams. That is Padhman (or Paddy) for you. Hailing from a wealthy, medical, “westernized” family in Madras, Padhman finds himself in the company of his childhood friends, Renu and Sunil (an easy-going, fun loving, happily married couple). He also finds himself being self-conscious for the fact that he is an “Indian”, a “foreigner” in an Irishman’s world. Yet this is the land where he finds his true love – Aoife. This love interest ruffles doubt and speculation for both the Irish and Indian families. Does their love survive the cross-cultural test? What happens when Padhman’s world is shaken by a traumatic incident?
