The book I have recently read is ‘Almost Single’ by Advaita Kala. I found this book at my friend’s place and I borrowed it from her. The book is incredibly engaging. I did not wish to put down the book for anything else. I loved her writing, comprehension and flow, for simple and positive reading. It broadly falls under ‘Popular Literature’ genre if one has done English Literature which also includes renowned author Chetan Bhagat. This novel also can be categorised as chick lit as it addresses issues of modern womanhood in a humorous way. ‘Chick’ is coined from the American slang for a young woman and ‘lit’ for literature. Some of the famous books like ‘Bridget Jones’ and ‘Sex and the City’ made chick lit an important trend in publishing. Both these books have been made into movies which were equally successful. In Chic lit novels, woman incorporate instances of stereotypical behaviour. The protagonist in this genre may have traditional beliefs about marriage or family from their culture that may not be the circumstance in present society of the same ethnic group. Chick Lit is gaining importance in India as it presents questions in relation to issues these women must deal with race, state and political economy.
When one is 20+, independent, a little more responsible and a little mischievous, then 20+ becomes adventurous. Particularly if you’re one girl of 20+ and shortly be reaching thirty! Then folks that you’re acquainted with do not fail to suggest the approaching age of thirty to you. Relatives can have proposals in mind for you. This can be Indian society we tend to sustain who comprise of married housewives and discoveries you make of your own. The novel is straightforward to relate to if you’re in this age group.
The book ‘Almost Single’ by Advaita Kala focuses on the negative impact of being single ladies nearing her 30s. This novel introduces a sensible young lady who is checking out her independence and matrimony in society that is ancient. The girl is Aisha Bhatia, a guest relations manager at New Delhi’s five-star Grand Orchid Hotel. In her life she has smart friends and superior travel accommodations however still her mother isn’t happy and reminds her that she is nonetheless single at twenty nine. Aisha is additionally tuned in to her biological clock ticking away however it is drowned by laughter over a champagne brunch.
The novel revolves around three friends: Aisha, Misha and Anushka who are in their late 20s. The protagonist, Aisha Bhatia is aware of the intricacies of being in hospitality business that is written in great detail. She talks concerning her boss as being an enormous bonus who is good for nothing and a philanderer. Then as the story progresses, the issues that a young girl can shortly cross the golden age of thirty and is nonetheless ‘single’, the trauma that she has got to bear all this. Simultaneously, the protagonist loves being single because she doesn’t have responsibilities, no one to prevent her from having cigarettes and being drunk. A guy comes on known as Karan Verma who is handsome and has arrived from the big apple. This guy becomes part of her daily routine. The agitation due to every kind of miscommunications, indecisiveness, girly stuff (her sari tears of when she is to pick up the guy’s mother from aerodrome and gets stuck with it in a Mercedes, therefore all in vain), etc. She meets her guy in embarrassing circumstances and gossips concerning him with her friends. Together with her encounters with him, once she thinks she has lost him that’s the time he has been hooked by her. The novel is compared to Bridget Jones who wears a saree according to ‘Independent’ (UK) review.
What makes this novel attention-grabbing is that the author has value-added tongue-in-cheek moments in it to form it additionally engaging and one among a sort. The episode concerning the sweet girlfriend of the 3 friends of the story, turned malicious by a untidy divorce and gaining tiny girly victories by silly things like paper-rolling his car, causes you to relate to her and to present a pat on the rear and kid her antics!
The hilarious moments concerning the dating experiences, of the other girlfriend who completes the trio, makes you smile quite against your will. My heart mechanically goes ’awwww’ as she meets up with a guy from her past on the insistence of her folks, who she remembers being a loser however he seems to be a prince and returns from the charms of metropolis to her village in Punjab to meet the parents.
The book has added value with urban flavour of gay characters as friends that are stunning and make you envious.
Then there’s the protagonist’s mother who is an ill-natured one and doesn’t appear to grasp, why her girl cannot be happily married just like the alternative cousins within the family, who are younger than her and are due to have their 1st kid. She perpetually is at the butt of jokes at kitty parties on whether or not her girl would ever marry.
‘Almost single’ has multi-cultural components within the novel. You’ll be able to notice star divination to Hindu festivals that adds color to the book that makes it pleasurable. People who have grown up in Indian culture will love it in the novel as for others who are new to Indian culture they will discover new awareness within the novel.
Overall, I find it an average book to read while travelling on a long journey!
BY Kashmira Palsetia
45 Comments