This is a different book from those I’ve read in a long time. The blurb had already suggested that it would be so, and I picked it up because it promised a woman-centric story and an intriguing one at that. I was not disappointed on either counts. The story is refreshingly new, unlike the usual run-of-the-mill ones that we get to read. Also, I liked to read a story set in Bangalore, with mentions of some favourite streets of the city scape.
The story
does not begin with the protagonist Nyasa, though, until a while into the book
because the setting is explained in great detail – The Udbhavana society. It is
a learning experience for readers who may not be aware of the lifestyles of the
uber rich of society.
The
teenagers seem to have nothing better to do in life than shop in hyper
expensive showrooms or worse, light up cigarettes and guzzle booze every hour
of the day. The depiction of the inner world, reminiscent of inside information is such that one has to keep reminding oneself that
these characters are underage teenagers, blowing up parents’ moolah and not
seasoned adults, who earn what they spend.
The lesbian
scenes are no different from any lovemaking between a heterosexual couple in
love, except that the dominant teenager Suganya is all but sixteen, however, she is
shown to possess the wooing confidence and sexual prowess of a middle-aged adult and then some. The submissive protagonist Nyasa being older than her partner adds on to the premise - the tendency of money-power and social status playing as much a role in the equation, as love.
The
contrasting divide between the sections of society is showcased with finesse.
Education which is a boon and requirement for the middle classes to improve
their lives is only another hassle to be endured as a namesake for the rich.
The natural tendency of the rich to exploit those who are less privileged as an
entitlement of merely being born into wealth, brings out the helpless
submission of the latter to the ministrations of the providers. This is well
documented in the storyline at regular intervals.
Also, the step mother’s sudden turn of heart in the second half may be a little
unconvincing, but highly endearing. It is interesting how characters that have potential to turn grey
at any point, end up shining beyond the expectations of the reader.
Overall, a
different read with a varied approach towards the quirks and foibles of
society, while reinforcing the goodness of human character.
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Happy reading, readers.
