‘The cupid is still active in colleges, in offices and in today’s world, also on the internet’ is what the introduction of the book states. The author then goes to aptly point out that, love actually needs to sustain itself once the ‘first flush’ of passion passes by. This according to me is what renders the cupid’s role far more challenging. As his job now, isn’t just to commence ‘happily ever after’ but ensure that entire journey lasts that way. It’s this role of cupid that this Chicken Soup explores through stories of Indian couples both young and old by the use of 8 categories.
Thankfully, the book isn’t focusing solely on the rosy aspects of love, where the boy meets the girl and they walk together into the sunset hand in hand. Nope. Only the first 60 odd pages are stories about how people found their soul-mates in their friends, or demure colleague, or in an online friend under the category of ‘Made in Heaven’. Few stories in this category dangerously border on the flimsy notes, when you feel like you are reading a Chopra or Johar make unfold. Yet, there are some stories, that would leave you with a smile, like “How not to propose”, was both funny and likeable.
The next 2 categories ‘The Family’ and ‘On Love and Support’ were truly heart rendering and my favorites. It captures that phase when love is most susceptible to rupture. ‘The Family’ has stories that revolved around the various dimensions the child adds into the couple life, and all the stories are warm. I was moved reading “My Son’s father”, where an altruistic father very unconventionally stands by his wife. Similarly, “More than just a car” will be one story that most women would be able to relate to, as everyone has experiences that involves their husbands and cars.
“A Matter of Perspective”, was a category I got slightly bored with. So except, “Honeymoon Caper” found the rest a quick read.
In her story “The Rock”, Monika Pant quotes ‘Any traumatic experience faced together, binds two people in a way that is unmatched by any other’. The categories ‘In Sickness and in Health’ and ‘Overcoming Obstacles’, walks us through the journeys of couples, where love blossoms sans candle-light dinners and roses. Kudos to those who journey together in life, when it’s not presenting its best. Inspiring. Period
The most tragic of it all is, love in the face of death, and those stories are well etched in “Coping with Death”. However as expected these are on the emotionally weighty end. The last category is “The Fire Never Dies”, which has pulled out stories from couples that have survived the test of time. But like I earlier said, cupid has a complex task at hand and this time around he needs to strike the same cord again after 30-40 years of togetherness
The challenge with books where multiple authors contribute is its narrative. Some stories are uplifting with their pace and plot, while the subsequent one would be unhurried & leisurely, hence a downer.
I personally feel that everyone one has a story. At some point, our life would have encountered these four letters called ‘love’ and that’s what will make you relate to some of the stories shared. However, your story and the one in the book might not have the same end, courtesy the mushy touch they have. After all, as the back cover says that it’s for the “real romantic” in you. An advice, navigate the book by picking one story each category & you’ll get to wade through the different aspects of love. Happy reading.
-Meetali
This review was a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!
Comments
Post a Comment