Book Review Love in time of Affluenza
Bring in love, designer brands, “struggles” of south Mumbai people, healthy flirting, some witty writing, sinful adultery, mother’s guilt, daughter in law’s whine and you have a book which you may not remember for its story but its feel, for the nomenclature of brands and its italicized snippets before each chapter. Something you cannot resist discussing over your next soiree.
What is it about– The book is a sneak peek into Natasha’s life. She like most women in their late thirties is in a phase where she has checked all the tick boxes of a woman but is still trying to discover her spark. Sadly, that particular spark is not something anti-aging creams or yoga classes can give her. Natasha is a mother of three and wife of an Architect who also happens to be from a forgotten royal family. Her friend Trisha makes Natasha her confidant for the extramarital affair, which is soon discovered by her family. While Natasha is seen totally against Trisha’s mid-life adventure, in the latter part of the book Natasha is attracted to a younger man later in the book. The book then becomes about her dilemma to live as a woman of her choices or as a dutiful wife and a mother.
What to expect– If Ekta Kapoor was to collaborate with Karan Johar and come up with a television soap opera about “The lifestyle of the rich and famous” this could easily pass for a script. It has glamour, attention to detail, but women protagonists are victims of their circumstances. It has the same old judgmental world of the stereotypical mothers-in-law and men who are irresistible but insensitive. Just everything to keep you entertained. Having said that, the pace of the story could have been racier, it does get predictable by the end of it. It is very little about the characters that one can remember (except their dressing sense)
What I liked– I liked the writing style of the author. Her command over language and vocabulary makes this a good read and not the regular rom-com novel. I particularly like the snippets Shunali has given before each chapter, which represents the column Natasha writes in the newspaper. It has the right amount of satire and humor. Natasha, the protagonist comes across as someone who is neither a sacrificial goat nor the roaring lioness. She is what women are like in real life. They have their grey shades; they can be mean, opportunist but still have the heart of a child.
What could be better– The climax of the book The book gave me the impression that there is a lot of scope for a sequel. I wish some of the characters were given a better closure – like Nakul (Trisha’s husband) or Riyad (Natasha’s newly found attraction). Maybe I would have wanted more depth to Natasha’s character, her dilemmas are very real but there is hardly any background to her choices.
Recommended to– This one is largely for women audiences. Mid age women, battling with mommy duties and their ‘me time’ will find a resonance with a story like this.