Book Review
Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia
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| Better Than Sex by Atima Mankotia |
Author: Atima Mankotia
ISBN: 978-8194337300
Genre: Contemporary
Fiction, Family & Relationships
Length: 288 Pages
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.
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| Atima Mankotia with her first novel 'Staring at the Square Moon' |
Instagram: @atimamankotia
Twitter: @atimamankotia
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.
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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