by 
Title and Author: Take 2 by Ruchi Singh
No. of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 13 February 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Indian Writing, Debut
Language: English
Book Review:
Priya’s perfect world takes a tumble when she realizes that her husband is cheating on her and when he asks for a divorce, it seems like the last nail has been struck. Confused, in denial and still hopeful of saving her world, Priya takes the help of Abhimanyu, her friend’s brother but is this relationship platonic or a beginning to something new?
Can Priya take a risk at a second chance at happiness?
Take 2 is Ruchi Singh’s debut novel and while I have had the pleasure of reading her short stories, I was really impressed with her first attempt at novel writing.
The blurb is interesting and had me intrigued right from the start. The cover is beautiful and eye catching.
Take 2 follows Priya’s life in a crisp, unbiased and sensitive fashion. Priya represents the modern woman in India who is progressive but still a believer in the age-old traditions and ready to fight to save her marriage. Sometimes she felt like an ostrict, in denial and still clinging to the hope of bringing her husband home but then Ruchi brings her transformation to the reader and her strength while tackling with the loss of her dream world and determination to rebuild her life. In between, characters like Priya’s landlady bring out the backward views that still haunt people in India and their total refusal to change with time.
Abhimanyu or Abhi was overbearing but still a character I loved. His quiet strength, his knowledge of human character and his support towards Priya helps her through the difficult period. Komal and Aditi, Priya’s friends were another lovely addition to the mix. This is one book where I loved all the characters, even the villains. Each character is sketched beautifully and developed skillfully to take the story forward and make it a story with impact.
Ruchi’s writing style is engaging and simple. The scene descriptions and dialogues are expertly woven together and create a mental picture. I loved the inside look on the glamour world and the sly mechanisms of human character are well portrayed. The courtroom drama was again very entertaining and had me at the edge of my seat. I felt angry with Priya’s husband and people like her guardians who had forced her into marrying young, her landlady who felt a wife’s role was to please her husband even when he is a lying, cheating and worthless excuse of a man and the women in her society who only thought the worse if a man visited a married woman! Such petty thinking is an ugly spot on our rich culture and heritage and needs to change.
The author admirably contrasts such backward people with progressive people like Abhi’s father who beautifully corrects his wife’s wayward thoughts on marriage and what the society will think if Abhi married Priya even if she was divorced!The whole marriage dialogue had me smiling, thinking that as long as people like Abhi’s father are there, there is still hope of improvement. 🙂
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the book right from start to finish and congratulate the author on a job well done. Strongly recommended to all readers, I give Take 2 4.5 out of 5 super shiny stars and definitely look forward to reading more from Ruchi in the future.
Publication Date: 13 February 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Indian Writing, Debut
Language: English
Book Review:
Priya’s perfect world takes a tumble when she realizes that her husband is cheating on her and when he asks for a divorce, it seems like the last nail has been struck. Confused, in denial and still hopeful of saving her world, Priya takes the help of Abhimanyu, her friend’s brother but is this relationship platonic or a beginning to something new?
Can Priya take a risk at a second chance at happiness?
Take 2 is Ruchi Singh’s debut novel and while I have had the pleasure of reading her short stories, I was really impressed with her first attempt at novel writing.
The blurb is interesting and had me intrigued right from the start. The cover is beautiful and eye catching.
Take 2 follows Priya’s life in a crisp, unbiased and sensitive fashion. Priya represents the modern woman in India who is progressive but still a believer in the age-old traditions and ready to fight to save her marriage. Sometimes she felt like an ostrict, in denial and still clinging to the hope of bringing her husband home but then Ruchi brings her transformation to the reader and her strength while tackling with the loss of her dream world and determination to rebuild her life. In between, characters like Priya’s landlady bring out the backward views that still haunt people in India and their total refusal to change with time.
Abhimanyu or Abhi was overbearing but still a character I loved. His quiet strength, his knowledge of human character and his support towards Priya helps her through the difficult period. Komal and Aditi, Priya’s friends were another lovely addition to the mix. This is one book where I loved all the characters, even the villains. Each character is sketched beautifully and developed skillfully to take the story forward and make it a story with impact.
Ruchi’s writing style is engaging and simple. The scene descriptions and dialogues are expertly woven together and create a mental picture. I loved the inside look on the glamour world and the sly mechanisms of human character are well portrayed. The courtroom drama was again very entertaining and had me at the edge of my seat. I felt angry with Priya’s husband and people like her guardians who had forced her into marrying young, her landlady who felt a wife’s role was to please her husband even when he is a lying, cheating and worthless excuse of a man and the women in her society who only thought the worse if a man visited a married woman! Such petty thinking is an ugly spot on our rich culture and heritage and needs to change.
The author admirably contrasts such backward people with progressive people like Abhi’s father who beautifully corrects his wife’s wayward thoughts on marriage and what the society will think if Abhi married Priya even if she was divorced!The whole marriage dialogue had me smiling, thinking that as long as people like Abhi’s father are there, there is still hope of improvement. 🙂
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the book right from start to finish and congratulate the author on a job well done. Strongly recommended to all readers, I give Take 2 4.5 out of 5 super shiny stars and definitely look forward to reading more from Ruchi in the future.
I received the book from the author and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Buy From:
Amazon US | Amazon IN | Flipkart
*Also read my Review of Jugnu by Ruchi Singh
Seems like a good read…will pick it up for sure…. 😀
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Yeah, I loved reading Take 2..Give it a try..:)