52nd Book of 2020!
There are few authors whom you can’t afford skipping and that is what defines my relationship with Preeti Shenoy who is my favorite female author. There are instances when I have been unable to read her book just after its release but somewhere, I take out time and end up reading her book when I am in the zone to accept the deep stories she tries to share with her readers. I am just done reading my 52nd and the last book of 2020- “Wake Up, Life is Calling” written by Preeti Shenoy and published by Srishti Publishers. This 250-pages book is the sequel to Preeti’s first book- “Life is what you make it” which has been very popular since its release. Just for everyone’s information, even if you don’t read the 1st book, you can still go through with this without any concerns as even I had read it in 2011 but have completely forgotten the story by now. Haha!
The book talks about the protagonist Ankita who has seen a lot in her life which had led her to depression and mental health issues – now, she is wanting to reload her life with new experiences and forgetting her past but this comes with its own challenges where her own past and the people from this past are making it difficult for her to revamp her life. Preeti has ensured throughout her writing career that she focuses majorly on the mental health issues and specifically with the female characters. She has kept the same approach with this book itself where the character of Ankita is still dealing with the same in her 2nd chance to life too.
The book is little inclined towards darkness which becomes relatable and readable only if you have been through the same situation or have a bit of depression in your life currently otherwise you might find difficult in enjoying the book. Anyone reading this book must ensure that they read it completely if they pick up otherwise seeing the vulnerability of the character they might feel that there is no scope once someone has gone into the state of depression. Author has nicely covered as to how a person overreacts to things happening around them considering everything is against them. They forget realizing positives around them but keep on focusing to everything negative that happens. This makes life tougher than before.
Author has mentioned about the relationship of the patient in depression with their psychiatrist very aptly which I believe is very important to mention as having a doctor who hears you patiently can do magic for you in such cases. There are several notes that the protagonist writes whenever she feels that she has learnt something magical and transformational for her life which I believe are the highlights of the book as it displays the famous philosophical side of Preeti. I liked all those italic notes as well as many conversations she had with her parents, psychiatrist and teacher which makes you think about yourself. Preeti has somewhere tried giving hope to the people who have stopped trusting themselves or the world around them which I think shall definitely reach the sufferers.
The title of all the chapters are very creatively designed which I did notice while reading them as even those one, two or even five words makes you feel nostalgic. Later, in the end of the book, author reveals how she chose the title which made me feel proud about my instinct even though I don’t listen English songs. I also liked the suicide manual part as it did give some curiosity to know what’s mentioned in them and what it shall further lead to.
Now talking about the drawbacks, the book is very dark which makes it tough for you to read as it doesn’t move very fast and gets stuck at the same spot itself. Author just doesn’t leave the story mentioned in the first book and keeps mentioning it every now and then. Anyone who hasn’t read the first book shall not be able to connect with Ankita the way readers who have read the first one would. I also believe the things mentioned by the author about suicide etc. might make it feel appealing to some and they might also try to do the same which could have been avoided.
There is something missing about the X-factor that comes with Preeti Shenoy’s book in this one – I don’t know why. There isn’t much description about other characters or the locale in which the book is set or the philosophical depth and many other such factors generally on which Preeti emphasizes upon in her writings. I have never rated any book of Preeti below 4 ever but unfortunately this time, I have to. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. This doesn’t meet the standard set by Preeti. Also, somewhere my heart says that the pressure to do as good as “Life is what you make it” made Preeti write it in a certain way and not freely as she does.
That’s all for my reading journey for this year 2020.
Thanks.
WRITING BUDDHA
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