(I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author.)When I picked up this book, I was hoping to read something different and something new. However, I was pretty disappointed. And the lack of proofreading and editing only made it even more cumbersome for me to read this book in one flow.
The story is of one Taara Maheshwari, dejected in her love life and not sure about what she wants from her life. On an impulse, she decides to quit her job and take a one-month Euro trip (not in the same sequence). However, she barters the 'permission' to go on this trip with her father on the condition that she will come back to India to marry the boy her parents have zeroed down for her.
Destiny, however, has other plans for her. While on her trip, Taara meets some very interesting people, starting right at the airport when she is about to board her flight from India. All these people, at every given point in the trip, manage to shape her journey in a certain way. How does Taara survive alone in a foreign land? What is in store for her? Will Taara be able to find what she is looking for? The book explores all these ideas in a short, 171 page read.
The thing that I liked was the detailed description of European cities. The vivid imagination of the author almost compelled me to pack my bags and board a flight right now!
The story: The story was not what I expected it to be. The blurb does not give it away, but the book (especially towards the second half) is essentially a cliched romance.
The protagonist: I can't find words to describe how much I detest the character of Taara. She is not only portrayed to be extremely immature for her age but also seems very superficial in her approach to life. Throughout the book, the reader can see how Taara has always looked for a man to be the anchor of her life. Now, per se, this may not be a bad thing, but this cannot be the only thing that defines a woman and her life, and her life choices and decisions. The constant need to have someone to fulfill you is, in the very least, dangerous to one's emotional character. I see a lot of 'Taara' in many people around me, and my opinion of them is the same. Be your own anchor - that is the advice I would give Taara if I had a chance to meet her. The clinginess is apparent on the face of it.
I usually like books with the portrayal of a woman as a strong individual. This book, in my opinion, failed to do that.
The language: The language was alright, but the book has definitely not been proofread before being published. There were glaring grammatical mistakes, punctuation missing, etc. right from the beginning. Even the blurb is not error free.
Also, the constant focus on body image, the reference to 'blacks', the reference to consumption of alcohol as being 'cool', reference to most women being neutral to politics, the shock on discovering someone's orientation, and such typical stereotyping threw me off. (Pretty inappropriate, in my opinion.)
The book, all in all, is an easy breezy, light read and can be finished in one sitting. There is no 'wow' factor in the book. Recommended for those who are looking for a light read between books.
*****
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