struggles – That Madras Mom

BLURB

Emotions are beautiful but are also very powerful. They can uplift us at one moment but can sink us really deep the very next. Every coming generation seems to be getting weaker and weaker in handling their emotions and it is heart-breaking to see so many succumbing to suicide or mental health failure. To us not only our emotions are extremely vital but also of our loved ones and each one of us devices his or her own techniques to fare better when thrown out of our comfort zone and I guess experience teaches us the most about how to secure our emotional wellness.

So here is a delve into 31 soulful life experiences of eminent Indian writers of how life taught them precious lessons on emotional strength which someone in a similar boat can use as a guiding light to deal better. You can read an unimaginable range of true stories here right from a young bride’s exemplary resilience to a wheelchair-ridden young girl’s biography. There’s a counselor giving her heart and soul to her student and there’s a destiny’s chosen child stumbling and weaving back life at every step in life and many many more. They all will touch your soul like never before, giving you precious lessons on emotional wellness.

MY REVIEW

Resilience, vulnerability, and emotions are delved into deeply in each of these 31 chapters in this book which is a combined effort of 31 remarkable authors. The book cannot be just an anthology, but it is a combined effort of 31 authors who have shared their heartfelt experiences and their learnings that will help people sailing in the same boat.

We live in a generation where people are quite hesitant to acknowledge emotional issues. Not only in us adults but also gives insights into how to handle emotional wellness in kids separately.

“Do not judge a book by its cover.”
“You never know what someone is going through until you are in their shoes.”
I’ve seen a lot of videos of Dharman which let you understand empathy and situations that make you understand that human emotions are not just feeling but much more than that.
Having known a few of the authors personally and what they’ve gone through, it is truly a commendable effort for many of them to come forward, share their experiences, and their way of life to deal with emotions. That thought of this life lesson will help many who are like us are applauded.

There are two things, one is dealing with ourselves and the emotions, the latter is emotions and the people with whom we deal. The book helps you understand different situations involving parents, kids, and in-laws.
There is no human being without a problem, no human being who is always happy. Everyone at some point of time in their life would have faced a standstill, a moment, or a period where they needed help, and didn’t know what to do or how to come out of it.
Every chapter where the authors share their life experiences, especially in a way that they connect with the readers. In most self-help books where people discuss emotions, we often see a preachy narration. This is where the book stands out, the connection they make with the readers will surely help in uplifting.

A unique synergy is a blend of personal experiences with professional insights. It would be right to call this anthology a holistic resource that will serve as a beacon for those who are struggling and for those who love to read and learn from experiences. The book will be a great option as a gift to someone whom you know who needs the courage and uplifting to move ahead.

I’ve purposely not mentioned in detail any of the chapters from the book, because I would want you to buy, read, and enrich yourself in the experience.

A truly remarkable anthology powered by Roma Gupta Sinha and the team of women.

Buy yourself a copy or gift to your loved ones.

BLURB

Dev Khanna has it all before a mysterious letter shakes the very foundation he has built his life on. With his beliefs challenged, he decides to close the chapter once and for all. I Owed You One is the story of promises and commitments, of triumphs and defeat, and of holding on and letting go.

MY REVIEW:

A female author narrating from the lead character’s POV is something very different. The thought process, the expression of behaviors and emotion from the authors perspective was bang on like that of a male.

Dev Khanna, a chemical engineer based out of Australia is the main character, who is is happily married to his wife Radhika and has an adorable son named Neel. His life is progressing at a steady pace when suddenly he receives a mysterious letter from his hometown in India. The content of the letter and what it changes in lives of many people is what is the story of I owed you one.

He has always questioned his father’s behavior when he was little. He has seen his father ignoring her mother all the time, coming up with excuses like he has too much of work in his office. Dev noticed his mother’s unhappiness though she would never complain about her husband’s attitude. Growing up in such a family where people are not attached, he often feels neglected by his father. This leaves an contrary effect when he grows up.

The mysterious letter from India just acts as a prompt and this is where starts a voyage filled with emotions, anger, anxiety, etc.

The story is written in a subtle manner and each character plays a crucial role in the novel.

This is a must-read novel if you looking for an interesting story with strong characters. The story is imprinted in a very beautiful manner where relationships are given primary importance.

It explores the family relationships and shows how important it is to bond with your children and how it can affect your children when you’re not emotionally involved with him/her.

The narration flowed easily. Also, the switching between past and present is managed well in the book. It’s very smooth, descriptive and has some amazing word play. It’s very rare to find books with good language these days, either the language is too stiff and difficult to understand or it is amateurish. But, in this book, the author has shown her vocabulary skills.

The author conveys the beautiful message of humanity and peaceful coexistence.

MY RATINGS:

Cover- 3.5 stars

Title- 3.5 stars

Blurb- 4 stars

Plot- 3.5 stars

Writing and Presentation- 3 stars

Overall- 3.7 out of 5 stars

Title – I Owed You One

Author – Madhu Vajpayee

Genre – Fiction / Family Life

Publisher – LiFi Publications

ISBN – 978-93-86191-28-1

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Madhu Vajpayee the writer is born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture the enigma of life in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several medical papers and chapters in books, she started her journey in the literary world. Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD Clinical Microbiology from AIIMS, New Delhi.

She was a faculty at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with diagnosis and management of patients living with HIV/AIDS besides being actively involved with research and teaching. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires. When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and traveling.