This post is a book review of the recently released book by Ranjani Rao, a writer I admire very much, and author of the several fabulous novels like No Longer NRI and Train Friends.

Her newest novel is a memoir on divorce and discovery.

I had the good fortune of reading an advanced copy and loved how the book delves into the (true) story of how a young mother and wife of fourteen years realizes that true happiness is not always in the traditional happily ever after but in our own unique paths.

Instead of doing a basic book review, here are 5 reasons to read the book:

  1. Are you going through a tough phase like divorce or separation?

Then this book is an obvious inspiration as the author has transcribed her own true experiences. But even for happily married and/ or those in loving romantic relations, there is a beautiful lesson in the story. That all relations need work , especially over time. As we age, mature or simply face shifting circumstances, we naturally change and so should the effort we put into our dynamic relationships.

Relationships continuously need work and effort and communication and this book underlines that point very heavily.

  • 2. The novel is set in America and India. The chapters shift between the two nations and detail the experiences and cultural differences faced by the protagonist. The scenes after moving to US as a starry eyed newly wed and adapts to a startlingly different social culture resonated with me. The scenes of the confused and weary mom trying to re-establish herself in her home country and normalizing a new, unprepared-for reality are amazing too!
  • 3. In many books, we see that extremes in character development. Villain and hero, angelic and devilish, characters are painted with wholly good or bad shades. But reality is far from this one dimensional view. In this book, the story lingers over some differences among the principal character and her spouse but refrains from overly glossing or villainizing any single person. After all, everyone has some good and bad in them and most of it is perspective driven.
  • 4. The book revolves around the personal transformation of the chief character. And that is beautifully narrated through scenes and experiences. I am trying very hard not to give away spoilers here! Whether it is the passages about building a new life or the descriptions of the cities she lives in and even her own home or arranging childcare Do read the book for that chapter relevant to that last part- it is quite motivational and needs its own full fledged novella at the very least.
  • 5. Last but not the least- the book is an excellent study in writing. The chapters shift back and forth in timeline. Past and present are not chronological as the chapters progress - but the plot does not get confusing and instead allows a layered glimpse into the life and motivations of all the characters. I thought that was fantastically written. Plus, the chapters themselves were methodically arranged in wonderful episodes almost. As mom to a toddler who is wrenched away by parenting duties, I am always rooting for her writers and who understand how reading and consuming books have changed in this dreadful age of busyness and who accommodate all sorts of readers with their writing. Full disclaimer- I did finish the book over a long weekend, but it was in burst mode.

    • You can read my short review on Goodreads and Amazon. Have you read this book or the author's other work? What did you think?

    Let me know in the comments below.

    Note: while I did receive an advanced copy of the book, the opinions are my own and there was no obligation in either side and no compensation in any form. I just loved the book and am sharing the review as I usually do for books I read.

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