Book Review: Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia

Book Review

Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia

Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia

Author: Atima Mankotia

ISBN: 978-8194337300

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Family & Relationships

Length:  288 Pages

Publisher: Readomania (10^th February 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2AUDc0R

About the author: 

Atima Mankotia, an alumnus of St Stephen’s College and XLRI Jamshedpur, worked in print, publishing and electronic media for over twenty-five years. Currently, she is teaching Human Resource Management, Organizational Behaviour and Communication in a business school in Delhi and is also pursuing her PhD. Her first novel Staring at the Square Moon was published by Readomania in 2017. She lives in Delhi with her husband Ajay Mankotia and has two children.

Atima Mankotia with her first novel 'Staring at the Square Moon'

Instagram: @atimamankotia
Twitter: @atimamankotia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atimam

REVIEW

Summary

Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia─ a YA contemporary and family & relationships fiction is an outstanding and neatly-written book set amidst the hustle-bustle of a no-nonsense Indian wedding in seemingly perfect families where the author delves deeper into unforgettable and realistic characters to bring forth distinctive personalities, addressing subjects like gender identity, societal conventions, and complicated, unconventional relationships; all this with light-hearted humor and a mystery to keep you at the edge of your seat. 

Narration

Better Than Sex is probably the most realistic book I’ve ever read in this genre. It is written in third-person POV following the main character Meenu, the bride. The story basically introduces you to the principal members of both the families. The narration is non-linear and to-the-point. The language is decorated with fine vocabulary and is efficient.

Location and Setting

The story takes place on a bus, driving the marriage party and the bride from Delhi to Chandigarh after the Vidai ceremony concludes. This entire book is a journey from dawn to dusk, briefly yet meticulously exploring characters with various backgrounds and past.  Even in this brief journey, Atima Mankotia has made the best out of it. Chandigarh and Delhi definitely influence the story in some sequences. Delhi University colleges, their culture, dating life of students and Fertilizer Company in Chandigarh are some of the setting-driven subjects. Otherwise, the story is highly influenced by the characters alone.

Theme & Characters

Family & relationships can be described as the main theme of this book. Family drama is not what you can find in this book, it’s free from any such exaggerated nonsense. After a woeful experience of the Vidai ceremony, Meenu is grappling with anxiousness around the strange people who just became her new family members all of a sudden. The fact that her mother, Kamlesh forgets to remind her a thing that she never fails to do when someone is leaving the house, adds up to Meenu’s anguish. Danny, the groom belongs to the Khullar family that has seen the days of struggle during the financial crisis. Roop, Danny’s aunt is portrayed as a formidable and an excellent woman of the household, who never compromises with the wellbeing of her family. On the other hand, Kamlesh, Meenu’s mother has suffered a lot due to her mother-in-law’s toxic behavior and establishes a joyful bond with her daughters-in-law. These families are perfect on the outside, but they have some really dark secrets concealed from each other. The author portrays how torturing it can be, having different sexual preferences than the majority. The book also displays how societal conventions and norms can abandon our simple basic physical needs. Additionally, it prompts readers to contemplate about the unconventional societal behaviors and intimate relations.

Plot

The non-linear narration gives insight into how these families function and how some characters contribute to their families. Mainly they are the influential women of the household. As Neena Gupta ji says in her book review, these are the quirky life stories that every woman will relate to. However, a significant part of the plot is driven by male characters also. As the story progresses, you will become aware of the fact that, you’re yet to discover the secrets. Simultaneously, you will crave the conflict to be settled down but it just won’t. The end is satisfying but I wanted more of it. I really wish there would be a sequel.

I forgot to mention 'sex'. Truly, there are many feelings that are definitely better than sex, you'll find out in this novel. But the book is much more than what the title might suggest.

My Opinion

I loved how Atima Mankotia has included so many remarkable characters and an effective plotline in this light read. Clearly, I didn’t want this to end. I didn’t find humor so compelling. Although, everything in this book is very relatable as we have attended at least one such Indian wedding. There are a couple of scenes that left an everlasting impression. I never felt bored while reading this book and it kept me to the edge of my seat until the end. It was indeed a fun read and I would recommend this to you all.

Happy Reading!

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