You Are Here – Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan « Reflections of a Silverfish

You Are Here – Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan

September 4, 2008 by davematt

She was on ‘We the People’ a while ago, awkwardly warding questions about how much of her blog is fact and how much was fiction. Meenakshi also talked about how the popularity of her blog resulted in her being approached by publishers to write a book. Ever since I was intrigued about her book and was looking out for the launch. I am not sure if it did justice to the hype. I remember a similar book I read long ago which was similarly hyped up – Babyji by Abha Dawesar. It was so lame and superficial that one felt cheated. Meenakshi’s book is definitely vastly superior to that.

The novel is about Arshi, a twenty five year old working in a PR agency in Delhi. A broken family, a dragon lady as a boss, a boyfriend who blows hot or cold based on unexplainable factors, a room-mate who is unsure of her dreams are the people Arshi deals with. The narrative is stream of consciousness and is used pretty well. It is also slice of life and deals with a particular phase in Arshi’s life – her break up with her cheating boyfriend, her total frustration with her job and her coming to grips with her new beau’s boorish behaviour. And therefore there is no real development of character or plot. The plot, if there is one. is simplistic and does not have any real meat. However, Meenakshi uses humour pretty well, and several passages will have you smiling. Her use of language is pretty good.

But when you have turned over the acknowledgements page and you sit for a while and think about the book, there’s nothing that really stands out, except probably that Arshi has so many lovers cum dates cum buddies that you lose track of their names. And if this is any reflection of life in our metros, well thank god for condoms, else we would need to colonise a planet pretty soon.

Posted in Disappointing | Tagged Abha Dawesar, Babyji, Book review, Books, Indian authors, Indian Writers, Indian writing in English, Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan, You Are Here | 40 Comments

40 Responses

on September 9, 2008 at 3:55 am | Reply Roop Rai

your ‘Posted in Disappointing’ had me smiling. I assume you don’t suggest it then?!
on September 9, 2008 at 4:35 am | Reply davematt

Hi Roop, thanks for dropping by. If you can spare time amid all ‘the gym and library sessions, gobbling down salads, soups and juices and the driving’ you can give it a shot. But dont set your expectations high
on September 18, 2008 at 4:37 am | Reply padmajav

mmm.. I still cannot decide.. To read this book or not to read…..
on September 18, 2008 at 9:19 am | Reply davematt

Hi Padma, I will be very grudging in my advice to you…. try it but don’t be swayed by the hype
on September 20, 2008 at 6:48 pm | Reply HemRaj Singh

Nice to know that the girl’s book indeed impressed someone, howsoever mildly.
on September 22, 2008 at 5:42 am | Reply davematt

Hi HemRaj,

Not impressed at all, mildly or otherwise. Just like her blog a lot of bravado…thats it.
on September 23, 2008 at 11:45 am | Reply aneeshya

Well the book is like any other book whose characters are lost. There is nothing impressive about this book. I wont recommend this book, not even for 1 time read.
on September 23, 2008 at 11:51 am | Reply davematt

Thanks Aneeshya for coming by. What you said is true, it is disappointing considering the hype. If at all the book is selling, it is due to the popularity of her blog.
on October 4, 2008 at 11:23 am | Reply Greenlee

This is a really weak novel. I ;m not even sure if I should call it novel. It was so horizontal.

There is no character developement. The plot is very weak and so predictable. I found it so “wanna-be-Carrie Bradshaw/ Sex-in-the City.” The narrator lacked an authentic voice.

It really surprised me that Penguin Books decided to publish this novel. Penguin is noted for publishing quality fiction. This novel is definately not quality fiction
on October 7, 2008 at 6:03 am | Reply Ayesha

The book was Fantastic ! Very candid, interesting, and real !!
The story line was believable. Infact, most often we find ourselves dealing with the same kind of stuff Arshi does.
People looking for a refreshingly unusual kind of a story line must read it ! Before u know u’l be totally engrossed in the characters.
on October 7, 2008 at 6:32 am | Reply davematt

Wow, two divergent views. Thank you both Greenlee and Ayesha for stopping by.

@ Greenlee – I agree that the book falls short on several technical aspects.

@Ayesha – I appreciate your view. However it didn’t make the cut for me
on November 27, 2008 at 11:08 am | Reply VV

This book is uncannily similar to another lesser knwon chick lit called ‘Girl Alone’ by Rupa Gulab written in 2006. In it the girl is working in an AD agency instead of PR and it is set in Mumbai. Even in Girl Alone she has a two-timing boy friend and a horrible female boss! Anyway, I found Girl Alone simply hilarious! Worth a try, for ladies especially!
on November 28, 2008 at 3:30 am | Reply davematt

Well….well….so it was not original either. Thanks VV for that nugget.
on January 3, 2009 at 10:03 am | Reply padmajav

Hi!
Finally got to read the book. It was actually better than what I’d expected! The book has a soul, I think. Despite the author giving out attitude statements here and there! But its definitely a chick-lit! Guys will never like it!
on January 5, 2009 at 9:13 am | Reply davematt

I rest my case Padma
on January 9, 2009 at 12:08 pm | Reply keerti

I wrote a review on this book some time back.. I think you should check it out. I think our ideas match.

http://morningsandevenings.blogspot.com/
- on January 10, 2009 at 1:11 pm | Reply davematt
  
  I did read your post Keerti. I completely agree.
on January 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm | Reply keerti

I am reading “Arranged Marriage” by Chitra Benerjee. I kinda like it till now. It seems a very practical story. Did you get a chance to read it?
- on January 10, 2009 at 1:10 pm | Reply davematt
  
  Thanks for stopping by Keerti. I haven’t read “Arranged Marriage”. Will give it a shot tho’
on January 30, 2009 at 3:00 pm | Reply Vicky

Dear Meenakshi,
KINDLY MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF BEING A LITERATURE STUDENT !! Such stuff suits only to Chetan Bhagat, Tushar Raheja, Advaita Kala etc and that “Pink and Black” girl from Chandigarh. I was dissapointed to see an immense shortage of “intellectual content” in your book.
Meet your profs. in LSR…and ask if they are happy. But yes, now you made me distrust writings from literature students.
Next time i dont want to see you falling in the above mentioned arena. I want to see you following Mrs Lahiri, Manju Kapoor…or more over Ayn Rand.

Bbyee, All the best !

TAKE TEN YEARS WRITE A MASTERPIECE.
Vicky
vickydun@gmail.com
on February 2, 2009 at 7:02 am | Reply Spock

I haven’t read Meenakshi’s book as yet but I’m curious to know what everyone thinks of Himani Dalmia’s debut novel ‘Life is Perfect’. It was published earlier this month. For a young Indian woman writer, Himani manages to steer clear of the “chick-lit” genre completely. I found her book hugely thought-provoking. It’s a profound investigation of the psychological evolution of a young woman growing up in India. The setting of the novel is Delhi high society. It’s written very intelligently, with many great insights into that world. And really intense. I couldn’t shake off the characters and the atmosphere of the book for many days after I’d finished. Was completely absorbed while reading.

Incidentally, Himani is Manju Kapur’s niece. Her style is not really like her aunt’s but it was a fantastic first novel, nonetheless. She’s apparently a Lit student from St Stephen’s and Oxford. May restore your faith in Lit students, Vicky!
on February 2, 2009 at 7:05 am | Reply Spock

Incidentally, Himani is quite accessible on her facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=45171849405
on February 2, 2009 at 8:29 am | Reply davematt

Thanks Vicky, you have valid point. This is definitely not what is expected of a literature student.

Spock, that is a very strong testimonial you make for Himani. Will try and get a copy. Thanks for visiting
on February 2, 2009 at 1:14 pm | Reply Vicky

Dear Spock,
Thanx for the really provoking book review on Himani’s writing. I’ll surely go for it and see what she has to tell… I hope, ‘i’ll restore my faith in lit students’.
Well, getting back to Meenakshi, i now feel, “fiction bloggers” give a sort of hint prior to the publication of their books.

IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY, GUYS!!

And to you Davematt, i was wondering if there’s any ‘masculine’ term for ‘chick-lit’ ? A young male writer is coming up in 2009, a friend of mine. I want to be his first critic.
- on February 2, 2009 at 1:32 pm | Reply davematt
  
  Vicky there is a genre called ‘Fratire’ that is dubiously called the male version of chick lit. Not as fancy sounding as chick lit
on February 28, 2009 at 3:46 am | Reply Nina

I read the book and found it amusing, that a repute publisher such as Penguin India had actually gone through the manuscript and thought “ You are Here” deserve to be published. ( BTW Harper Collins has published a book by the same title much before, Meekshi’s) My conclusion is that Ms Reddy is one of those who try a bit too much too hard to “stands out” even to the extent of opening her deepest secrets to the world. The book isn’t worth reading. Good for her, she must have made enough money from her publishers to party more, travel more. Bad for penguin, they seem to be losing their sight..
on March 2, 2009 at 4:56 am | Reply davematt

Thanks Nina, well…. I am sure Penguin also made money.
on March 14, 2009 at 7:30 am | Reply Priyanka Sagar

A piece of s***..

a so called ‘life story’ starts with introduction of arshi (such a dumb girl oblivious of what she wants to do in life..)

every second page talks abt arshi’s new “fuck-buddy” (as the writer used this term in the book)..her “making out” sessions with them..dragging n boozing…

Oh comm’on..u just dont kiss or sleep with EVERYONE whom u meet at parties, office or even at ur school..

ofcourse..the scenes were portrayed really nice..but wherz the content man..???

i read the whole torturous book just to recover my money…
- on March 18, 2009 at 3:17 am | Reply davematt
  
  Hi Priyanka,
  
  I tried palming off my copy and guess what? No one wants it
on March 20, 2009 at 5:25 pm | Reply BigBoned.

Aw Jeez. I gotta write this one article.. it’s a pee review. Thats what it’s called, right?

And I’m writing it on this book, and honestly? I just want to copy your blog post. Except that it’s full-on plagiarism. Sigh.

Anywho. I guess Arshi’s life is totally.. well, dumb. She’s obviously one of those popular kids that get asked out by everybody. That’s so honestly common. 8-|
Who, btw, grows up to be as clueless as a firang in some village in India.

Can anybody suggest, like, different books? that were over-hyped but were actually not-that-good? And definitely not chick-lit? :\

By the way. I’m new here. Hey, I’m Hiccup. =D
For now.
- on March 22, 2009 at 2:48 pm | Reply davematt
  
  Hi BB,
  
  There are several books that were over hyped – Red Carpet by Lavanya Shankaran, The Last Song of Dusk by Siddharth Shangvi, Chetan Bhagath’s book…I can go on.
  
  DM
on May 25, 2009 at 1:54 pm | Reply dinu

well, I also felt the same way just read the cover of the book, and you are done, there is nothing else !
- on May 26, 2009 at 3:50 am | Reply davematt
  
  Thanks Dinu, we are not alone…..
on June 17, 2009 at 9:38 am | Reply Anvesha

I haven\’t read the book but just started following the blog. Seems like I no way would be able to finish this book. I have a habit of leaving books halfway if i don\’t like them.
- on June 17, 2009 at 9:48 am | Reply davematt
  
  Oh yes, I know quite a bit about that Anvesha. I have abandoned Sea of Poppies, Enchantress of Florentine, The Great Indian Novel, Inheritance of Loss….and several more, half way through.
  
  BTW thanks for dropping by, and you do have an interesting blog
on June 28, 2009 at 6:54 pm | Reply Anvesha

hey thanks… i need to work on my blog regularly though…i have a whole lot of ideas to be put in words… and you are welcome…:)
on July 16, 2009 at 2:35 pm | Reply aduhi

I came across this blogpost after I googled Meenakshi. She has a column every Sunday in the local paper, and I just thought I’d look her up. I remember seeing pirated copies of her book on the streets, and my reaction was – oh just another new Indian writer. But reading all the comments above, and such mixed reactions too, I think now I should go and read that book. The ladies up there seem to like her book though.
- on July 17, 2009 at 3:10 am | Reply davematt
  
  Hi Aduhi,
  
  Mixed are they?
  
  Go ahead, give it a shot and I would look forward to your feedback.
  
  DM
on September 24, 2009 at 6:15 pm | Reply angel eyes

i was bit confused wether i should read this novel or not… then i came across ur blog and i got mixed reviews frm it… still confused….:/
but now i hv finally decided to read it…
- on September 25, 2009 at 3:53 am | Reply davematt
  
  Hi Angel,
  
  Give it a shot, and let me have your views.
  
  DM