Book Review : Tara by Anshu Bhojnagarwala

Genre: Romantic fiction

“Tara” is the story of its namesake which chronicles events from birth to old age. The book deals in-depth with the prejudices of the conservative Indian society and the conflicts between the aspirations of new age Indians and the old, still existing conservatism inherent in the society.

What worked for the book:

1. The book is rooted in realism and the lead character, Tara is a likable yet all too fallible human. The reader has no difficulty in connecting with Tara’s struggles and her emotions.
2. The setting of smaller characters and the general background such as Tara’s school, the role that Himanshu’s small nephew plays in Tara’s bad breakup and finally even, Himanshu’s cold rejection adds authenticity to the broader storytelling.

What could have been better:

1. The pace of the book is uneven. This was perhaps intentional by the author but as a reader I found myself wishing for more in certain parts and for more fast paced action in others.

The book is an enjoyable read for a lazy Saturday afternoon if you are looking for a light read.