On the Shelf

Born ConfusedBy Tanuja Desai HidierPublished by PenguinPrice: Rs 295YET another coming-of-age novel from an Indo-American author, this first...

Born Confused
By Tanuja Desai Hidier
Published by Penguin
Price: Rs 295

YET another coming-of-age novel from an Indo-American author, this first novel traces the unravelling of the confusion that is seventeen-year-old Dimple Lala’s life. There’s the Indian family settled in the US, the all-American best friend and, inevitably, the suitable boy lined up at a suitable age. Dealing with the regular adolescent questions, all viewed through the distorting mirror of ‘South Asian identity’, the American born confused desi gradually comes to terms with her heritage and her environment in a pleasing if predictable finale. Chirpy, pacy and good-humoured, it’s a good way to spend an adolescent afternoon.

Runaways and Other Plays
By Bubbles Sabharwal
Published by MidnightEdition.com
Price: not stated

A new playwright in English is always welcome. And Sabharwal comes into the reader’s domain with years of stage experience behind her. In this collection of three one-act plays, Sabharwal explores multiple facets of complicate human relationships. Her inspirations come from sources as varied as fables and cancer patients, but always end up triggering questions and forcing a second look at familiar situations.