Online book discussion / Chillibreeze giveaway/ Of Dreams - Aditi Talwar Sodhi

[Vidya Prabhakar CB]

Hello Writers,

We are back again with the next online book discussion. Our book club reviews and discusses, "Of Dreams" , a novel by Aditi Talwar Sodhi.

As always, we have information about the author for you. Do check out Aditi's interview with Chillibreeze here.

Our reviewers are Sloka Balasubramanyan, Udita Shrivastava and Poornima Kandi. Read their reviews and get a sneak peek of the book before following their discussion here at the forums.

If any of you have read the book earlier, you are welcome to join in!

[Vidya Prabhakar CB]

Hi Sloka, Udita and Poornima,

Wonderful reviews! We enjoyed reading them and are curious to know more. We look forward to an interesting and engaging discussion of Aditi Talwar Sodhi's book 'Of Dreams' at the forums!

To start off, what genre would you bracket this book into - rom-com or chick-flick? Somewhere in between ? Or anything else?

[Sloka]

To my fellow-reviewers Udita and Poornima, just want to say that it was delightful reading your reviews!

Hi Vidya.

Thanks for the opportunity and for the kickstart to this duscussion. I would consider the book to be neither a rom-com nor a chick-flick per se .

It's not a rom-com because the 'com' element I feel is missing!!! The story was light but definitely not funny. There was a sharp undercurrent of social satire to it. It was evident that the author was attempting to throw light on the weaknesses and double standards of the typical Indian society's attitude towards women and its acceptance of them.

It's not a chick-flick in entirety because the men in the story are as important and instrumental as the women protagonists. Besides, the word 'chick' is symbolic of brainless beauties which none of the three dames are! They are all strong and intelligent.

I would say the book is a light-hearted commentary on Indian women and their evolving position in the society.

Looking forward to knowing your views on the same.

[Sloka]

To my fellow reviewers Udita and Poornima, it was delightful reading your reviews and assimilate what each one of us considers as takeaways from the story!

Vidya, thanks for the opportunity and for the kickoff thread for this discussion.

I don't think the book falls squarely into either of the two genres mentioned. It's not a rom-com because the 'com' element is missing!!! The book is a light read but its definitely not funny! I would say it borders on social satire; it highlights the current Indian society's double standards; it evaluates the society's different attitudes towards and acceptance of the contemporary Indian women.

It is not a chick-flick in the true sense of the phrase. The word 'chick' to me symbolises brainless beauties, a bimbo so to say! None of the three protagonists fits that bill. The three of them smart, intelligent and strong ladies. Further, the male characters in the story are as important and instrumental to it. So while the book may loosely be described as a 'chick-flick', it isn't entirelu that.

I would describe the book simply as a commentary on the evolving presence and role of the Indian women in the society brought to light through the diametrically different lives of of the three protagonists. If I have to describe it in a word, I would call it a satire.

Looking forward to hearing all your views on the same.

[Udita Shrivastava]

Hi everyone,

It's a realistic social fiction with a vision for social change through individual reformation. Rather than taking a narrow faminist approach towards the problem Aditi Talwar looks at the issue in a broader perspective. Her novel is neither a social satire nor a propagandist literature but a real picture of internal human struggle to fulfill dreams in the modern society.

[Vidya Prabhakar CB]

Very interesting points, Sloka. It is easy to dismiss books as chick-flicks and easy reads. But from what you and Udita point out, there is a social message in this book. This is such a welcome change especially in this age when books with loud and garish covers steal the limelight

How relevant do you think this message is ? As in, is the story and setting believable ? How would think an average person can relate to it?

[Sloka]

Hi Vidya,

Thanks! I think the story that draws heavily from real life situations and experiences. Since there are multitude of characters, I am sure every reader would be able to relate to at least one of them, if not more. Besides, the thought processes of each of the characters are so vividly outlined that empathising with them is as natural.

[Udita Shrivastava]

Sloka, I too enjoyed reading your review as well as of Poornima.

Hi Vidya,

I think Of dreams is not just a vision of a flawless society but also discusses ways to work towards it. It can help the contemporary society, which is at the verge of disintegration and frustration, to come out of its problems through inner efforts.

[Sloka]

Hi Udita,

I do not think 'Of Dreams' is a vision of a flawless society at all.

On the contrary, I think it attempts to expose the flaws in our society. The gender disparity as manifests out of Amrita's desire for a male child and/or Payal becoming the victim of her starry escapades. The need to "conform" to society is brought out in Amrita's allegiance to her mom's wish that she marries someone of the same "status" which she further tries to push down her daughter's throat.

In fact, I agree with the second part of your statement - that the story discuses ways to work towards a flawless society which is depicted by Aarti's character.....the way she challenges stigma and overcomes all odds to accomplish her dream. This is also brought out by Payal's character in the second half of the book where she tries to redeem herself from her past.

[Vidya Prabhakar CB]

Udita and Sloka , I think we get a drift about what the book intends to convey. How do you think the language and the narrative helped move the story along?