Book Review : What Kitty Did by Trisha Bora

Title: What Kitty Did

Author: Trisha Bora

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 306

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  4/5

INTRO

It happens hardly, when I started adoring the book by its cover only. This time I couldn’t resist myself by doing so. A girl with messy hair depicts not only physical appearance but her miserable life. After reading just few pages of What Kitty Did by Trisha Bora, I was almost sure that It would be a roller-coaster ride of happenings. It is not fair to bind it in any specific genre, as it contains suspense, emotion, drama, eye-roll-witty dialogues and comical characters as well. It makes this-300-something paged novel an interesting read.

STRUCTURE

Basically the story of What Kitty Did by Trisha Bora, revolves around a protagonist names Ketaki Roy (Kitty) She is twenty something, a millennial, works as Journalist at Poise. Though she writes articles about how to get love on Tinder or How to lose belly fat in ten-twenty days, Yet She knows her life is not going anywhere with this. What I realized that Trisha Bora’s What kitty Did is a character specific book, Anybody can relate to protagonist, Kitty. She is lost, confused, searching for the motto of her life. In spite of all I found her interesting, cause she seems real to me somehow.

This novel, What Kitty Did, begins with a girl, who finds herself in a bed with a 59-old Perv, at the opening party of some grand hotel. Next morning she succeeds to run from that place but something leaves behind. It seems normal at first but reader is totally unknown what is coming next.

On the other side, Death of a high profile celebrity creates suspense in the story. When Kitty’s Boss assigned her to write an article on the sudden death of Roxane Merchant, she seems excited to find this project but she doesn’t realize in what terrible situation she is getting herself into. Now she is on journey to find out if it is heart attack or some conspiracy. There are some odds and obstacles in front of Kitty but she would realize later that it is all for better change.

While describing her novel’s protagonist Trisha Bora says “Kitty is someone who is unsure of herself. Her forte is baking but she writes for a fashion magazine. Many students take up English literature as a last resort and most are left confused at the end of the course as to what they could pursue next. There are only three years during BA so I wish there could be an orientation on the first year itself about professional options that students can explore after the course so that they can proceed accordingly during their studies.” She adds, “English literature makes you question and deconstruct and that aptitude takes you through life. It equips you with an acumen that is helpful forever.”

In a chat with Dailypioneer, Bora said “I never intended to make her one. She is a millennial and as you can see that this is the first time in human history that millennials cannot afford their own houses and cars. The young lot needs to be dependent on parents for major financial causes, and friends for moral and emotional support. For instance, salaries have not gone up and lifestyle choices are getting expensive every day. Consequently, the young generation has not been able to secure themselves in monetary terms. Kitty is also supposed to be a regular millennial living in a bubble, distanced from all current affairs and politics around.”

All in all, What Kitty Did by Trisha bora seems relatable piece of literature, I mean kitty did all the things, a Delhi girl usually faces in real life, we all escapes from the messy situation by laughing at ourselves, we try to make joke in tough conditions, we all struggles yet hope dangles inside our heart. We fall, we fight. We stand again. That’s what life is all about. What Kitty Did is a window to look into a Delhi based adult’s life. You could find some hilarious descriptions. This light hearted novel could be your weekend read. Go for it.

ABOUT AUTHOR  

Trisha Bora studied literature at Miranda House and started a career in publishing immediately after. She has worked at Random House India, Rupa and Dorling Kindersley, and is currently commissioning editor at Juggernaut Books. Her writing has been published in many journals and publications. 

CONNECT:  Twitter

BUY ONLINE:  What Kitty Did By Trisha Bora (Flipkart) 

Book Review: Teenage Diaries – The Days That Were by Saurabh Sharma

Title: Teenage Diaries – The Days That Were

Author: Saurabh Sharma

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

ISBN:  978-9352017263

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 319

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  3/5

INTRO 

When I read the blurb of this book, I couldn’t stop myself to pick up the book at a moment. I mean who doesn’t want to relive those beautiful moments of school days. We often talk about those days, we share those memories with friends, sometimes with ourselves. A small wish dangles inside us, wish we could time travel and do things that left. Those empty blackboards, curious Teachers, aggressive friends, cute fights and those illegal naps. YES! I am talking about the nostalgia. Though I am not a hard core fan of Young-Adult Genre but there is a reader in me, who couldn’t say no to Teenage Diaries. 

STRUCTURE  

Basically Story of Teenage Diaries by Saurabh Sharma, revolves around a nerd, named Ghanshyam , struggling with most genuine problems of teenage life. As we know nostalgia of teenage life usually covers the same events. The point is how to narrate the stories and put specific moments to make it our own. Author did, not great but nice job with that. Ghanshyam is not alone; there are friends, who contribute to pacing the plot. Some help out our protagonist, some just present there to create mess. But I liked how story ends with win. Ghanshyam faces sort of  transition of life but at last he overcomes and finds out hope. 

Overall, It is light hearted read. I would like to mention here—Don’t dare to think it’s some classic or else. it would make you laugh for sure. You would turn the page to know what happens next. Language is so simple, sometime it feels, author is conversing directly to you only. There was some shayris, flirting dialogues, sweet and sour crushes and then heart breaks, the way author treated the plot makes it somewhat interesting read.

CORE  

If you are seeking for a fun week-end then this book is for you only. It has got all the elements as love, friendship, disappointments, longing, adventure of particular age, and reminisce of school days. You definitely connect with the character and related happenings.

Author says “Teenage diaries, basically my dedication to the times when time was the least of our worries. The times when friendship was our religion and filial obligations were a myth, when the only form of love we knew was platonic and when greeting cards & love letters meant more than degrees and dollars. When the only class we didn’t bunk was that of the most beautiful teacher and when everyday was not a test - tests happened thrice a year. When blank-calls hinted more than what hours of conversation on mobiles could and when silent smiles said more than a thousand words did. When we made up for the lack in confidence with the overflowing innocence, when selfless camaraderie really existed and being happy for somebody else's happiness came naturally to us”

ABOUT AUTHOR  

Being born in a middle class family has its own perks and limitations. The biggest perk is that one will be able to complete his engineering and MBA and the biggest limitation is that one will have to complete his engineering and MBA. Saurabh sharma, being a middle-class boy from Baroda, did his engineering from NIT, Allahabad and MBA from NMIMS, Mumbai. Currently an Associate Director at Flipkart, in his free time, he loves to write, play tennis and strum guitar. His debut novel is a tribute to some of the truly amazing friendships that he has developed over the years. His penchant for storytelling has led to his witty writing style, which has got rave reviews from across. He is currently staying in Bangalore with his wife and is giving finishing touches to his 2nd novel, which will be a sequel to Teenage diaries. You can reach out to him on Facebook, via mail at storytellersaurabh@gmail.com or via twitter @Storybazsaurabh 

Book Review: The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara: A Supernatural Thriller by S. V. Sujatha

Title: The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara 

Author: S. V. Sujatha

Publisher: Aleph Book Company

ISBN:  9789386021090

Genre: Fantasy, Indian Mythology

Pages: 188

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  4/5

INTRO

Before expressing my views on The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara by  S. V. Sujatha, I need to confess that it is my first supernatural thriller read. And I am glad I picked the debut work of Sujatha. It was quite tough to put down the book, once you get started. How story evolved around a good and evil makes it interesting read. Author maintained the fluency in language and well crafted dialogues. Characters are powerful yet interesting that makes it enjoyable read. The way author narrated the story, It is hard to believe that it is her debut novel. I found it interesting and spent two nights surrounded with demons only. Ha!

STRUCTURE

Basically The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara by  S. V. Sujatha  sets in Chottanikkara, a village in Kerela, that is infested with hair-raising Demons. And then there is a demon hunter, Devi, a brave girl with her lion, Ugra. It was interesting to know the sole purpose of her life is to slay the demons and save her village from horrifying situations. She is bold yet kind. She values the relationship yet knows what is needful. She is skilled in art of war and disciple of  Parshuram, who had taught her the very art of exorcism. There are various monsters Brahmaraksha, Jalpishacha, present near village, She usually binds the demons and traps them into a sacred tree, Aristha Vriksha. The twist comes into the story when Devi, realized that something happening in her village, which is beyond her power.

Although Villagers have faith in her, they know she will save them and protect them from blood-sucking demons, Yet they are in fear, cause the new demon, named Yakshi was not that usual one. How this horrible Demon closely connected with the Demon-Hunter and what happened in her past that made her so powerful, that’s the main theme of the novel. It is really thrilling to know, at what price Devi gets rid of Yakshi. It is supernatural thrills, still you get emotional. Here, I want you to know The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara by  S. V. Sujatha  is a teen-read, due to its well woven characters and mytho-background, it grabs the attention of reader of any age. If you want to explore supernatural thriller genre,, You can give it try. READ!

In an interview with Deccan Chronicle Sujatha said “I happened to visit Chottanikkara temple eight years back, and was very much moved by the divinity the main dieted radiated. I was amazed by an exorcism ritual, I witnessed. On enquiring more about it, I came to know that there are two forms of Devi, the deity. One was meant to provide prosperity and other would clear of the most monstrous demons that possessed people. The legends caught my interest and I tried to know more about it and ended up as a novel.”

READER's MOMENT 

He was strong, Kannappa. Intelligent, too, for he was a priest when he was alive.” Devi stopped herself from telling him about the demon’s dying words. She did not want to worry him.

Her father snorted. “But not smart enough to stay in the marubhoomi. They never learn, do they, these demons?” he said. “We have forbidden them to come into our land, yet they do not listen...You hunt them down, Devi, show them they are not welcome in our lands, yet they keep coming, one after the other, each more reckless and foolish and stubborn than the one before it. Why do they not heed our warning?”

Devi smiled sadly. “I suppose we will never be rid of them because they were once like us...men and women who had hopes and dreams. But when they died prematurely and violently, they could not go peacefully into the next cycle of their lives, but had to return to this one as abominations filled with evil. We know they can’t stay away because they lust for what we have, and they also want to exact revenge for the injustices done to them when they were still among the living. They desire not only our flesh and blood but are driven by forces beyond their comprehension, which will allow them no rest, no peace, until they are dispatched once and for all. And their nature being what they are, they will kill and maim, they cannot help themselves.”

“These demons are not too different from me, then,” Kannappa muttered uneasily. The lines on his face were growing more prominent, as he spoke. “I was like them too. I took what I wanted, I killed and ruined lives, revelled in the power I held over people. I was a demon too. Just as abhorred, just as feared, just as savage.”

His eyes went to the face of Meenamma he had drawn on the wall above the cot. It had been there ever since Devi could remember, before she was even born. She had always woken up looking at it, the face of Kannappa’s daughter, the girl who would have been her sister. Meenamma’s face was painted with charcoal. Kannappa would often darken the portrait with moist soot from the kitchen stove so his daughter’s face would never fade from the walls of his hut.

“She never did like that I was a bandit. She used to plead with me to stop. But I never listened. Then, she left me,” he whispered, his eyes welling up with tears of pain and regret.

Note: Just a request from a sincere reader to Publisher (ALEPH): Text is too small to read, I almost considered an eye sight check-up. Please improve this into your upcoming beauties. Thank You!

ABOUT AUTHOR  S. V. Sujatha was born in Madras, the land of filter coffee and elaborate meals and wonderful temples. She is a graduate of the Warwick Writing Programme where she eventually found her calling as a writer and storyteller. She currently lives in the United States of America and is a full-time writer. This is her debut novel, born out of her love for the Mother Goddess and passion for Indian mythology  

BUY ONLINE: The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara (Flipkart)