Andy Paula

Note : This review has been published in my blog - Book And Ink

Love’s labor is tale about the quintessential situation a girl in our society faces when she falls in love with a man from other caste or culture. Our protagonist, Piali has run away from the iron hold of two stubborn men, her father and the love of her life. Her father, like every other typical parent refuses to accept Piali’s choice of man, Sathya as he is from a different caste. Sathya does everything he possibly can to show more prove that he is a perfect match for Piali but in vain. He eventually takes a decision to elope and marry Piali. Piali doesn’t really favor this decision and chooses to wait till her parents come around. She escapes to Mussorie and joins a residential school as a teacher. Eventually Satya finds her. What follows is Piali’s labor for love.

The story is akin to something that one might actually witness in our country. The writer, Andy Paula, has impeccably utilized a fact that our society still continues to frown upon inter-cultural marriages. She deserves to be appreciated for not forcing the protagonist, Piali to make a drastic choice between her father and the man she loves. That would have been a stereotypical Bollywood-ish cliché. In fact, that very part of the story where Piali runs away speaks volume about the characterization. Needless to mention, the characterization was realistic and perfect. The story line over all was good, though I felt the climax could have been tuned out a bit for I felt it was a bit abrupt. The writing was compelling and crisp with all the characters emoting perfectly to the dot.

In short the book was a well narrated, realistic story of choices, heart break and societal stereotypes.

MY SAY: A compelling read in spite an abrupt ending. Perfect read for that bored flight travel.

RATING:

PLOT : 7/10

NARRATION: 8/10

CHARACTERISATION: 9/10

BOREDOM QUOTIENT: 3/10 (Lower the better)

OVERALL RATING: 8/10 show less