Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee

Growing up in a traditional Paksitani household, our mother frequently used the phrase that is this book's title - life isn't all ha ha hee hee. I knew somewhat what she meant, this book however makes it blatantly obvious. Syal does an excellent job in exploring the depths of the various characters and while reading (i could not put the book down!) you are reminded of people you know and even of yourself - or at least parts of yourself. This book reminds us that there are many faces to being 'desi'. When you start thinking of how your life "should be" because of upbringing/cultural standards/expectations - this book reminds you that all of these thoughts are self-imposed. And when you start to wonder if it is better on the other side of the fence remember - life isn't all ha ha hee hee there either.

As regular readers of my reviews will know (!!), I love novels about India. This is a book about modern Indian women living in Britain and their struggle to assymilate two very different cultures. I have many Indian friends, and the women portrayed in this novel are very typical. This novel is also extremely funny with very vivid and lovable characters but underneath it all their stories are very poignant. This would be a great book for discussion in a Book Circle.

Meera Syal has written a thoroughly entertaining book that has a great story. Her characters are real and believable and her descriptions of people, places and especially movements are outstanding. e.g. "she swooped down like an epileptic bat". What I liked best about this writer is her wonderful use of the English language. If you would like to read a good story beautifully written, get hold of this book as soon as you can.

Fabulous book! It is an engaging and funny story focusing on three unlikely friends who are stereotypically defined: the soft innocent, the dowdy housewife who used to be an activist lawyer before her children were born and the glittering media queen. All are Indian and all are wrestling with various problems, none of which are clear to them until the end. Love and relationship issues are dealt with defly. The writing is simple and fast moving and the story is one to finish in a single sitting (or at least two!). So go ahead, pull up a comfortable chair, set aside some time and have a blast reading this wonderful book. Its even better than Anita and Me, her first novel.

This is one of the few books that actually keeps the reader interested from beginning to end. The main characters - Tania, Sunita, Chila, and their husbands, boyfriends and family members - are very insightful and well written. The scenes in the book are so vividly described in a way I can actually see the narrative happening in my mind. I also like how the author uses originality and suspense to keep the story line going. This is a trait that is so hard to find in many novels these days. The surprises were so shocking, I couldn't put down the book for no long amount of time, fearing that I would miss something! I read this 332-page book in two days, which is record time for me. I also liked this book because the author talks about issues that Indian women don't discuss outside of their communities, such as sexuality, interracial dating, marriage, careers, friendship, family and cultural norms. Though I am not Indian myself, I was able to relate to some of the dilemmas the author brings up. This is a great book to read if one is interested in learning more about Indian culture in the United Kingdom. I loved her last book, Anita and Me, and I look forward to reading publications from her in the future!