Between the pressures to marry and become a traditional Indian wife and the humiliation of losing her job in Silicon Valley, Devi is on the edge...
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Mar 01, 2011
D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~
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The best things about this book are the title and that it's short (234 pgs.)
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book with so many unappealing, self-serving, spiteful, uninteresting characters. I definitely wouldn’t wish any of them as members of my family or friends because I’d be bound to get stabbed in the back and then get blamed for it.
The problem I had with this story was not the shitty characters – the world is full of nasty people, after all – but the way the confli More...
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book with so many unappealing, self-serving, spiteful, uninteresting characters. I definitely wouldn’t wish any of them as members of my family or friends because I’d be bound to get stabbed in the back and then get blamed for it.
The problem I had with this story was not the shitty characters – the world is full of nasty people, after all – but the way the confli More...
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Jan 13, 2008
Donna
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Devi feels like a failure. She has no husband, no children, and now she’s lost her job too. She compares herself to her older sister Shobha, who appears on the surface to be the ideal traditional Indian wife, and finds herself wanting. She decides that life is no longer worth living, and carefully plans her suicide, an event that she wishes to proceed as painlessly and neatly as possible. But something goes awry:
“Death was supposed to have happened. She had chosen to die, but now she More...
“Death was supposed to have happened. She had chosen to die, but now she More...
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Feb 11, 2008
Anna
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This was the first work by this author I read, and it started my fascination with American ethnic subculture literature (e.g. the new explosion of Indian literature written for American audiences, exploring themes such as family, change, love, and social acceptance). I think Jane found it at duty free in Canada on the way to Morocco. The story is about a South-Indian family living in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is something I immediately could relate to. A great storyteller once said "
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Jan 26, 2009
Amanda B.
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I actually picked up this book in Mr. Nourok’s advisory as a temporary book, but actually liked it so I continued to read it. The title of the book intrigued me because it seemed to not only speak of Indian culture (because of the curry) but it added something unexpected with the “crazy”. There was also a quote on the cover of the book which states “If life gets you down, spice it up with the unexpected…” which to me meant something interesting was brewing in the pages of this novel. It started
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Jul 07, 2011
Lydia
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Devi has decided. Her life just seems to hold no more meaning and she cannot see a future for herself. Her parents want her to become a traditional Indian wife. She can't seem to hold a job. She will never be like her sister, Shiobba, with a great job, a great husband and a wonderful life. And so, she makes detailed plans to end her life.
If she had remembered that her mother had a set of keys to her apartment, she might have actually succeeded. But her overbearing mother walks in to fi More...
If she had remembered that her mother had a set of keys to her apartment, she might have actually succeeded. But her overbearing mother walks in to fi More...
Jun 09, 2010
Denise
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5.0 out of 5 stars Serving up a great read!!, December 3, 2004
This review is from: Serving Crazy with Curry (Paperback)
Amulya Malladi is a master storyteller. This book, the third novel focusing on the lives and times of Indian women in crisis, is a fabulous study of family dynamics. Relationships are at the center of a Malladi novel -- between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, sisters and sisters -- and this one is a powerful discussion of a More...
This review is from: Serving Crazy with Curry (Paperback)
Amulya Malladi is a master storyteller. This book, the third novel focusing on the lives and times of Indian women in crisis, is a fabulous study of family dynamics. Relationships are at the center of a Malladi novel -- between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, sisters and sisters -- and this one is a powerful discussion of a More...
Jan 21, 2009
Judith
rated it:
Just a quick note on this one. It probably deserves 3 stars...maybe I'll go change that. I liked it. A very fun and interesting read. Well written in a very easy going kind of way. A pleasant transition from the heavier book I read before it and the next book I read.
Finished this a few days ago. It is an interesting read, just not life-changing for me. What was really interesting about it was that I was in Colorado walking around my mothers neighborhood before my final farew More...
Finished this a few days ago. It is an interesting read, just not life-changing for me. What was really interesting about it was that I was in Colorado walking around my mothers neighborhood before my final farew More...
Aug 04, 2011
Pattie
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I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book, and then the last third was more than disappointing! I liked the whole idea of the old culture meeting the new in this Indian family. The added cooking theme was interesting and fun. I knew I was reading a book about a dysfunctional family and was eager to see how some issues would be resolved and some wouldn't. The "whys" of the characters issues were explained but not resolved in a realistic way at all. I was just sooooooo disa
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Sep 09, 2009
Leslie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 21, 2009
Victoria
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In this book; Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi, we meet Devi and her...dysfunctional family. Devi is harboring many secrets which lead to her almost suicide. I say almost, because she is saved (found) by her mother just in time. After she gets out of the hospital she stops talking and starts cooking. Each family member's story begins to unfold as we see Devi cooking up a storm and take those important steps towards recovery.
I was not wowed by this book, though I didn't hate it ei More...
I was not wowed by this book, though I didn't hate it ei More...
Jan 13, 2009
Luciana
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I picked this up at a local used bookstore, mainly because of the enticing cover art and the interesting, off-the-wall recipes sprinkled throughout the book. I don't know a lot about Indian American culture and so I thought I would read this as a short introduction. I ended up finding a lot of similarities in this story with my own life as a second-generation Asian American female in the Bay Area from a family with only girls.
I would recommend this book for all the mothers, daughters More...
I would recommend this book for all the mothers, daughters More...
Dec 30, 2010
Jadwega
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This story has an interesting plot, beginning with an Indian American girl who has just been saved from committing suicide by her overbearing mother. The book explores the girl's recovery from depression through her discovery of the joys of cooking, or, more specifically, changing traditional Indian recipes into something new and exotic. The story delves into cultural identity, traditional roles, marriage, suicide, and depression. I liked the premise, but sometimes I felt that recipes Malladi
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May 08, 2011
Marissa
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A good, quick read that is very moving. It involves issues of family, relationships, and Indian and American cultures. There also some very delicious sounding recipes for fusion cuisine based on Indian food! Devi attempts suicide, only to be rescued by the last person she wants to see- her mother. She then refuses to speak and begins cooking up wild fusion cuisine concoctions, when she had never shown any interest in cooking before. Family history and secrets spill out as the family tries to lea
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Aug 20, 2011
Smitha
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A semi psychological delve into why relationships fail and how we can rebuild those. This is the story of 3 generations of women, each who has failed to find or sustain the love of her life. A grandmother who divorced her abusive husband and got blamed for his suicide to boot, but who later found love with another man. Her daughter who is the typical affluent house wife, and no one seems to care about her and her emotions as she has almost become a 'door mat' - her two daughters, who are intelli
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Nov 26, 2010
Kae
rated it:
Found this at my Public Library.
Popular East Indian writer Amulya Malladi depicts an upwardly-mobile family in the San Francisco Bay area, with a twist.
Devi Veturi, late twenties, IT professional, decides her life is in shambles and the only solution is to commit suicide. She's thought it all out quite well, but her mother happens to visit that day and finds Devi before it's too late.
Devi recovers from her suicide attempt, completely stops talking and starts nonstop c More...
Popular East Indian writer Amulya Malladi depicts an upwardly-mobile family in the San Francisco Bay area, with a twist.
Devi Veturi, late twenties, IT professional, decides her life is in shambles and the only solution is to commit suicide. She's thought it all out quite well, but her mother happens to visit that day and finds Devi before it's too late.
Devi recovers from her suicide attempt, completely stops talking and starts nonstop c More...
Feb 08, 2010
Claire
rated it:
First read: (9/1/08)
Really loved this. The initial portions of the book were intense and fascinating, and then there kept being more layers. Really enjoyed it and would like to read sequels if they existed and so on. The idea of cooking to wellness had a serious impact on my as well, I'm feeling, now that time has passed, subconsciously. Thanks, Amulya!
Second read: (2/5/10)
Needed something absorbing that was smaller than Sacred Games, this rose to the surface. I had been More...
Really loved this. The initial portions of the book were intense and fascinating, and then there kept being more layers. Really enjoyed it and would like to read sequels if they existed and so on. The idea of cooking to wellness had a serious impact on my as well, I'm feeling, now that time has passed, subconsciously. Thanks, Amulya!
Second read: (2/5/10)
Needed something absorbing that was smaller than Sacred Games, this rose to the surface. I had been More...
Sep 21, 2009
Irene
rated it: 
Once I start a book, I have to finish it and this one was so painful to get through. To my surprise my husband who is an avid reader thought this book was entertaining - mind you he skimmed through the book. He liked the idea that the story line took place in the bay area.
I found it to be as cheezy and as poorly written as a TV serial/soap opera. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is predictable. The book is made of stereotypes that would make non-Indians cringe. Jus More...
I found it to be as cheezy and as poorly written as a TV serial/soap opera. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is predictable. The book is made of stereotypes that would make non-Indians cringe. Jus More...
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Mar 11, 2010
Suzanne
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Thank you to Kaion for coming up with the title of this book! Check out the group "What's the Name of that book??!!" sometime if you ever have a synopsis running amok in your mind but can't come up with the title. Cool group!
Anyway, from what I remember about this book, I really enjoyed it. There was some very nice character development and realistic protrayal of a family. I loved all the cooking Devi described too.
Anyway, from what I remember about this book, I really enjoyed it. There was some very nice character development and realistic protrayal of a family. I loved all the cooking Devi described too.
Nov 29, 2011
Robin
rated it:
A great light read. I enjoyed the setting of the familiar places in the Bay Area. An original story with the added benefit of learning something about Indian culture and Indian food along the way. The dishes Devi makes sound marvelous. I especially enjoyed reading the conversation the author has with her characters after the completion of the novel.
Favorite quotes: "Let love be love, let's not accuse it with a name." p. 220
A reference to the love the grand dau More...
Favorite quotes: "Let love be love, let's not accuse it with a name." p. 220
A reference to the love the grand dau More...
Mar 05, 2011
Laura
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Really enjoyed this and its tapestry of cooking and life. If you liked the Cookbook Collector, or Garden Spells. I enjoyed the light touch of writing with the detailed character development. I have reread this book. And even tried some of the recipes....a Welsh Canadian who grew up with bubbles 'n squeek as dinner fare regularly....curry and spices were a wonderful experience.
Jun 02, 2011
Leticia
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It is refreshing to read a book about the real problems and tribulations of an immigrant Indian family. This story of sisters failing at family, love and career was heart wrenching. As one sister battles with her failed suicide attempt the other fights with her marriage/career as they fall apart they work through it through cooking and family bonding.
Dec 01, 2009
Christina
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I would have given it 5 stars, but the mother in this story annoyed me. The protagonist attempts suicide because her life is a mess. She must now live her parents, but remains in silence. She is not much of cooker, but begins to learn to cook many dishes. This helps her to learn about herself.
Oct 03, 2009
Dinakar
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Another of Amulya Malladi's Indians living in the US. It is a decent book with things going on at a medium-sized clip. No bombshell turns etc. Worth a quick read. The Mango Season was really good - this one is a notch lower.
I especially loved this quote in the book - If you have to give someone respect, give it to them when they are alive, they will value it, why bother after they are dead.
I especially loved this quote in the book - If you have to give someone respect, give it to them when they are alive, they will value it, why bother after they are dead.
Dec 19, 2008
Lindsay
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This book was a little different from a book I would typically read. I am a person who loves any book that could be made into a romantic comedy made for Lifetime. But this book was a little more realistic but still full of good drama!
Dec 01, 2008
Gaurett
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I like book about immigrants in the US. This book I enjoyed because it was set in Sunnyvale Ca and the Silicon Valley. It is not a happy book because the main plot is a botched up suicide attempt but it is funny at times
Nov 17, 2009
Hilda
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Delightful story about a family in crisis. Although a family crisis threatens to tear the Venturi family apart, we see what they are really made of, and how much they really love and appreciate each other in the end.
Jun 22, 2010
This was a really good book. I was looking for something different to read and enjoyed every page. Very quick read although a lot of Indian terms that I couldn't grasp. Nonetheless, a fun and quick read.
Jan 23, 2009
Julie
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Anyone with a family will be able to relate to this I think. Starts out rather depressing, but gets better as the book goes on. I really enjoyed reading this one. Pretty quick read too.
Jan 05, 2012
Maggie
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Just not that interesting, yet it could have been. Tells the tale of a family's reaction to an attempted suicide, but they are all so self obsessed that the book is too easy to put down and walk away from. Did not hold my interest no matter how many times I picked it up.
Sep 21, 2010
Dawn
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The subject matter was definitely interesting. There was so much potential for the characters and the storyline but somehow it missed the mark. Still very thought provoking.
