On the shelf

A Breath of Fresh AirBy Anulya Malladi
Penguin India
Price Rs 225

THE refreshing aspect of Malladi8217;s maiden novel is the narrative style. Each of her central characters picks up the story and gives it a different perspective. But that8217;s where the freshness ends and the triteness begins. The points of view don8217;t remain different for long but blend into each other. Besides a few crests of idiosyncrasy, a central mind seems to be doing all the thinking.

The poignant parts of the book revolve around Anjali8217;s confusion after seeing her ex-husband. She has remarried and, had her son8217;s health been fine, she would have been blissful. But a chance encounter upsets the quiet routine of her life. And Anjali seems to plunge into the depths of what-ifs.

Anjali is a strong, independent woman, much ahead of her times. But she doesn8217;t begin that way and Malladi never explains what prompts the transformation. Read the book, however. You8217;ll get your money and time8217;s worth.