Life is Perfect
Rating: 4/5
Author: Himani Dalmia
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Publishing Date: January 2009
Language: English
Genre: Fiction
ISBN-10: 9788129114426
ISBN-13: 978-8129114426
ASIN: 8129114429
Format: Paperback
Pages: 311
Plot:
Life is Perfect is a coming-of-age novel revolving around a young woman, Mitali Jaitia, who appears to have it all – youth, intelligence, money, even beauty. But things aren't as perfect as they seem. Jaitia House, nestled in the lush, green avenues of Lutyens’ Delhi, is in gloom over the tragic death of a young girl.
As Mitali struggles to come to terms with her loss, the break-up of her parents’ marriage and her father’s many betrayals place her within a cycle of sin and redemption that the Jaitia family is crippled by. Poised on the threshold of adulthood, Mitali tries to find depth and meaning in the world around her. The fissures in her family lead her to question everything – love, friendship, faith, joy – and a neat solution seems impossible. But Mitali is determined to find her way through the chaos.
Review:
Life is Perfect is the story of a journey described in simple, evocative prose. Peopled with a cast of unforgettable characters and winding through colleges, cafes, parties and family dinners with great wit and sensitivity, it is a stunning portrait of modern life in Delhi today.
Jealousy, hatred, death, extra marital affairs, fighting over inheritance and many other such aspects typical to a large Indian family have been very beautifully mentioned by the author. The narrative consists of a lot of family drama.
This story is about a girl Mitali Jatia who belongs to a very rich and influential family in Delhi. The book is about her journey in discovering life - the harsh realities that surround her family and learning how to cope with them.
The plot consists of no such unexpected twists or turns and in spite of that; this book is engaging and feels like a piece of life. Definitely, a compelling read!
About the Author:
Himani Dalmia lives in Delhi with her large joint family. She graduated with honours in English from St. Stephen’s College and holds a Masters in South Asian Literature from the University of Oxford. Her writings have been published in newspapers, magazines and journals. She has been a student of Hindustani classical music in the style of the Patiala gharana since the age of six.
