Vigil Aunties | Book Review
Review of Richa S.Mukherjee's book - Vigil Aunties
Secrets,
saris, humour and drama! This is one vigil you don’t want to miss
Sixteen-year-old
Philadelphia aka Philly Waghmare’s carefully curated life revolves around the
SAT. The most exciting thing that happens in the crumbling old society she
calls home is the weekly meet-up between her mother, Varsha, and her motley
group of society aunties. Nothing really changes here—except one day when
everything does!
A shocking
incident leads Philly to trail Tarun Adhikari, the hotshot father of her best
friend, Naina. During this quest, her world turns turtle as she not only
discovers that her sweet, sanskari mother is the head of a secret society of
women, but that this group might be responsible for the disappearance of a
rogue named Ratan Tamancha, whom the police is looking for.
A game of
cats, mice and wits commences as Bharatendu Bandopadhyay, a most unusual
investigator, shows up asking questions.
Is this
secret society of harmless aunties responsible for taking a life?
Will Philly
be able to prevent her mother from going to jail?
Will this be
the end of the road for the vigil-aunties?
Book #67 of 2024
It’s been a while since I read a fiction and this one
fit the bill perfectly. The
book's storyline and captivating set of characters drew me in completely. I was
so absorbed that I devoured it in a single sitting!
Having spent my childhood in a society almost similar
to the one mentioned in the book, I was able to relate to various instances and
people that I have come across there.
The
storyline starts off at a leisurely pace, but it soon picks up and becomes
filled with thrilling and chilling moments. The novel centers around a group of
women who take it upon themselves to bring down sexual predators by anonymously
tipping off the police. This unique and compelling premise adds an extra layer
of intrigue and suspense, making the book an exhilarating read.
There are
quite a few characters in this book but as we read on we get more familiar with
them and they pull us into their world.
The plot is
filled with unexpected twists and turns, leading to a satisfying conclusion
where everything comes together seamlessly. The story touches on various themes
such as women's empowerment, teenage crushes, loyalty, and friendship, adding
depth and richness to the narrative.
I also loved
the author’s sense of humor. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments. And the
reference to food and the kitty parties made me hungry! The writing style is
refreshing with a lot of references to TV shows, movie names, etc which made me
nostalgic in a way.
I also
enjoyed the creative names of some of the characters, such as Philly, Ladoo,
and Lassi to name a few. These unique names added a charming touch to the
story.
Overall, it's a thriller with a good dose of humor that is guaranteed to keep you engaged from start to finish. The characters are not only memorable but also endearing, leaving a lasting impression on your heart.
Go for it!
A 4/5 star read.
Richa S.
Mukherjee is a TEDx speaker and an award-winning writer based in Mumbai. A
former journalist and advertising professional, she eventually decided to
become a storyteller for life. Richa has authored four books with HarperCollins
and Black Ink—I Didn’t Expect to Be Expecting, Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd,
Excess Baggage and The Curse of Kuldhara—of which three
are headed for screen adaptations. Richa’s work and words have featured in
publications such as The Times of India, Mid-Day, The Asian Age, The
New Indian Express, Bombay Times, Hindustan Times and Rolling Stone India.
She also
writes for several online platforms, has contributed to anthologies and
authored e-singles and audiobooks. A student of music, Kathak and life, she
cannot resist a good laugh. When not working on her next book, Richa spends
time educating people about spelling her name correctly while sympathizing over
how long it is. You can reach out to her at:
Instagram:
@mukherjeericha
X:
@richasmukherjee
Email:
richasmukherjee@yahoo.com
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