Wake up, girl! — by Niharika Jindal
Publisher: Bloomsbury Prime
Pages: 248
Price: Rs. 399 INR(Paperback)
ISBN: 978–9387863132
Buy here: https://amzn.to/2X86rCS
Naina is back from America, after four years of living on her own. A natural rebel, she has had some fairly life-altering experiences which Mum and Dad would not approve of at all if they get to know. But will her spirit and her stand be enough to fight the forces of parental pressure and heckling aunties baying for her nuptials?
Back in the bosom of her conservative family, Naina cannot even begin to imagine the turn her life is going to take. It’s wedding season, and she must now be married. Because every self-respecting upper-middle-class family in India do that, right? Marriage at the ‘right age’ to the ‘right family’…whether she likes it or not.
Naina’s worst nightmares are about to come true. What hits her within a week of being at home completely changes her world and her life as she embarks on a journey that will define her and provide her an education that only life can.
Ayaan, Rohan, Akshay, Shiven. Who will it be? Will she even have a shot at romance, being with someone she loves, irrespective of his caste, respectability or bank balance? She will have to summon all the chutzpah within to fight for herself. For her notions of love and living.
Will she succeed? Like a chrysalis unfolding, will Naina, too, emerge with her wings unscathed?
About the author:
Niharika Jindal is a 26-year-old writer from Ahmedabad. After spending four years studying Psychology in Claremont McKenna College, California, she returned to India clueless about what to do next. She started out with a few stints in HR, during which time she met her husband on a coffee date, and it was love at first sight.
After many drives and dinner dates, Niharika is happily married. However, her fairy tale was cut short when she developed a chronic back condition-which she has been battling ever since. Constantly pestered by family and friends to do something in order to take her mind off the pain, Niharika’s saving grace came in the form of reading, her favourite childhood pastime. She decided to give writing a shot. Penning Wake Up, girl! has been the most pleasurable experience, and made her realize her true passion in life.
In her free time, Niharika can be found reading, listening to romantic songs, having cold coffee, shopping online, catching up with old friends, doing physiotherapy, and watching TV shows on repeat with her husband.
My take on the book:
Naina Bansal is just back in India after graduating in Economics from Boston University. While Naina is yet to figure out what to do next in life, her family already has two eligible suitors ready to meet her. While her family is all for an arranged marriage, with a guy they think is suitable for Naina, she had always been one who had trouble making decisions for herself. Thus starts Naina’s journey on self-discovery while navigating the maze of finding the right guy for herself.
Naina’s story around Ayaan and her days on the Boston campus with girl pals is the most interesting followed by the cousin’s marriage and the fiasco meeting boys in Delhi. The later parts of the book get a bit boring since the events get cliched. The story is all about Naina finding herself as she meets these men and how they indirectly help her become a better person. So the story lives up to its title, Wake up, Naina!
While chick lit fiction had been abundant in recent times, starting from the cover to the characters, this book has a certain freshness and earnest appeal which makes it a happy read. A majority of young Indian girls can relate to the dilemmas faced by Naina and in particular the difference in thought process and aspirations between the current generation and their parents. The fine balance between orthodox thinking and freedom to take life decisions is very aptly depicted. Except for a minor part in pre-climax, the book is very engaging even though the reader can guess the upcoming twists.
Pick this one for a fun read which entertains, engages and gives out a subtle message. I just couldnt put this one down once I started.
My rating:
4/5.