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Amreekandesi - Masters of America
Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, cant wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as roommates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.
318 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2013
About the author
Atulya Mahajan
3 books19 followersAtulya Mahajan is the author of amreekandesi.com, a popular Indian satire blog. Born and raised in Delhi, he moved to the US in 2004 for his Masters and stayed on for five years before returning to India, in a Swades-inspired moment. During his time in the US, he started his blog to chronicle the lives of Indians living abroad, and this book is the culmination of that vision. He also writes occasional humour columns for the Times of India, Crest Edition.
Ever since he returned to India, Atulya has spent thousands of hours shouting at random taxi drivers and motorcyclists who overtake from the wrong side. If you want to see him convert into the Hulk, just honk at him at a red light.
When not busy writing hilarious pieces, Atulya works at an investment bank as a technologist. He claims to be the first man ever to have 24-pack abs, and has reportedly tried about 485 remedies to stop hairfall, all of them albeit unsuccessfully.
Ever since he returned to India, Atulya has spent thousands of hours shouting at random taxi drivers and motorcyclists who overtake from the wrong side. If you want to see him convert into the Hulk, just honk at him at a red light.
When not busy writing hilarious pieces, Atulya works at an investment bank as a technologist. He claims to be the first man ever to have 24-pack abs, and has reportedly tried about 485 remedies to stop hairfall, all of them albeit unsuccessfully.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 1, 2013
I don't know why I bother to pick up Indian authors at all. Even if they're not found faulting on their grammatical skills, they can hardly cook up a story that doesn't involve colleges and sex.
July 31, 2013
Not every book gets completed in the time span of 3 hours or a day. People ask me if I get Writer's Block but I can say that I have been into Reader's Block quite often. Since 11th July, I am trying to complete this book but it took almost more than half of the month to get completed. Now as I am done with it, I won't take time to review it in this month itself otherwise it would be more embarrassing to write about it in August. :-) The name of the book is "Amreekan desi" which also has the tagline "MASTERS OF AMERICA". It is published by Random House India which assures that 90% of the book that you pick are at least worth reading if not an epic material. :-) The 308-pages novel is written by the debutante- Atulya Mahajan. With this book, he has certainly made it sure that he can get much better with his next book and one will surely give a thought in reading him once again. The cover page of the book is exciting as well as rocking- the way two youngsters are shown making weird faces. :-)
About the Book:
"Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, can’t wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as roommates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land."
Coming to the author, as I have said above, I would definitely pick up his next book for some strange reasons. The way he has written this book makes you observe that he definitely has potential and skill to write a wonderful story with humor embedded in it every now and then. Secondly, while reading this book you realize that this is not the best by the author as you find some wonderful events partially and hence, you know that if he writes the whole book with best of his potentials, he can certainly surprise the readers with lots of ingredients worth reading and remembering. This book, currently, is only 60% of what author has in him. Writer has command over the language, his narration skills are fine, his story-telling style is simple, he isn't trying to copy anyone in the vicinity and he's not over-exaggerating his story in the back-cover synopsis. For all this reason, Atulya Mahajan stands high in my list of debutante whom I'll definitely pick for the 2nd time even when I didn't find their book an "excellent" read.
Initially, the book is comic and you get excited to go through this adventure where you'll die laughing. The parallel stories of two boys in India just gotten an opportunity to shift to America for studies is an awesome read. The comments on them by their relatives and familiar people for choosing America over the best institutes in India made me laugh. The reaction of parents is certified properly. The humor content in the first few pages of the book is so cherishing that I started expecting a lot which disappointed me later on. Akhil's story throughout is a wonderful tale. Even his father's 7 days in America is what I'll always remember this book for. His trauma every time he feels that he is doing wrong is nicely expressed. With Jassi's episode, initially its wonderful but later on there's not much character in his story. It is quite focused on his will to sleep with girls. Though writer has already declared in synopsis that he dreams to be a character of "American Pie" so it's my mistake that I tried to look beyond this. But everything gets compensated with Akhil's part.
In all, the book is written wonderfully. It could have been a perfect read if it would not have exceeded 250 pages. You feel at parts that the book is being dragged even though there's not much in the story to speak about. I would give 3.25 out of 5 to this debut attempt of Mr. Atulya Mahajan. And I am definitely looking forward to his next work.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
August 7, 2013
Two boys, Akhil and Jassi, with diverse dreams in their eyes, fly off to the United States. While the former wants to study hard and pursue a great career, Jassi dreams of having the best time of his life in Amreeka, in the midst of pretty girls who would fall in love with him instantly and go to any extent to gain his attention. In their respective quests, they encounter troubles and hardships, but eventually manage to brave them strongly, in turn emerging as a better and more matured person. Their goals are redefined, and they understand their lives better. Also, they fall in love with compatible partners, thus ending in all’s-well-that-ends-well fashion.
Atulya Mahajan, the author, weaves the flavor of Amreeka and the aspirations of the Indian desis who move there to achieve bigger dreams. Atulya was born and raised in Delhi. He went to the United states to study his Masters. Five years later, he returned back to his motherland. During his stay in the US, he launched his blog amreekandesi.com where he used to chronicle the lives of Indians living abroad. The blog later gave shape to this book. Atulya also writes humor columns for the Times of India, Crest Edition.
Atulya’s experience of staying in the US is reflected perfectly in this book. The mannerisms and way of living of young Indians, who go there to pursue education, is defined in bold. While some stay on track, focused on their fixed goals, others stray away in lure of drugs and girls and fall petty victims to other distractions. This novel is an account of the journey of these Amreekandesis.
Often, the pleasure of reading a good story can be marred due to poor editing, with grammatical errors reflected here and there. This happens for a lot of new authors, and quite frequently these days. However, thankfully, you wouldn't find any such flaws in this book. Credit goes to the author, his editor and the entire Random House India team to have carefully evaluated the manuscript and produced a final result that’s devoid of such mistakes. Sometimes, small errors in printed words do rob your attention from the book.
However, what I was really looking for in this book were the funny moments that would make you laugh out loud. True, the author has packed punches at certain points in the plot, and has tried his earnest best to bring out the laughs, but somewhere, the book falls short of the fun quotient. It’s no doubt an interesting read, but then again, you will find that ‘something’ missing in the words, and that ‘something’ turns out to be hilarious comical moments.
Also, a few of the problems encountered by the protagonists seem to have got solved quite easily. For example, when Akhil tells his mother about being in love with a Bengali girl, she agrees instantly. Also, Nandita’s parents too do not seem to resist much in her daughter’s choice, even though they were against the idea of their daughter marrying a Punjabi. The author could have added a bit more twist in these segments, and that would have made the story a lot more interesting.
This book, nevertheless, manages to keep you engrossed, and you wish that the characters get their share of happiness. You want Akhil and Jassi to fall in love, and they do. This is a feel good story and does hold a lot of promise. I would surely recommend it to readers who like light hearted stories.
Atulya Mahajan, the author, weaves the flavor of Amreeka and the aspirations of the Indian desis who move there to achieve bigger dreams. Atulya was born and raised in Delhi. He went to the United states to study his Masters. Five years later, he returned back to his motherland. During his stay in the US, he launched his blog amreekandesi.com where he used to chronicle the lives of Indians living abroad. The blog later gave shape to this book. Atulya also writes humor columns for the Times of India, Crest Edition.
Atulya’s experience of staying in the US is reflected perfectly in this book. The mannerisms and way of living of young Indians, who go there to pursue education, is defined in bold. While some stay on track, focused on their fixed goals, others stray away in lure of drugs and girls and fall petty victims to other distractions. This novel is an account of the journey of these Amreekandesis.
Often, the pleasure of reading a good story can be marred due to poor editing, with grammatical errors reflected here and there. This happens for a lot of new authors, and quite frequently these days. However, thankfully, you wouldn't find any such flaws in this book. Credit goes to the author, his editor and the entire Random House India team to have carefully evaluated the manuscript and produced a final result that’s devoid of such mistakes. Sometimes, small errors in printed words do rob your attention from the book.
However, what I was really looking for in this book were the funny moments that would make you laugh out loud. True, the author has packed punches at certain points in the plot, and has tried his earnest best to bring out the laughs, but somewhere, the book falls short of the fun quotient. It’s no doubt an interesting read, but then again, you will find that ‘something’ missing in the words, and that ‘something’ turns out to be hilarious comical moments.
Also, a few of the problems encountered by the protagonists seem to have got solved quite easily. For example, when Akhil tells his mother about being in love with a Bengali girl, she agrees instantly. Also, Nandita’s parents too do not seem to resist much in her daughter’s choice, even though they were against the idea of their daughter marrying a Punjabi. The author could have added a bit more twist in these segments, and that would have made the story a lot more interesting.
This book, nevertheless, manages to keep you engrossed, and you wish that the characters get their share of happiness. You want Akhil and Jassi to fall in love, and they do. This is a feel good story and does hold a lot of promise. I would surely recommend it to readers who like light hearted stories.
September 1, 2013
By Atulya Mahajan. Grade A
Amreekandesi is a satire on the lives of all those star-eyed Indians who dream of leaving their country and making it big in ‘Amreeka’.
This story revolves around a Punjabi boy who wants to go to the country ‘where dreams come true’ aka America, for pursuing higher studies. The author has creatively and accurately portrayed the difficulties he faces to convince Mommy Dearest to let him go and then the ones that arise once he reaches there. It reveals how he and his other FOB (fresh off the boat) mates survive in the land where a small cup of coffee comes for 280 rupees but furniture is free. They learn to endure everything that life and America have in store for them. From heartbreaks to racial comments to a lot of firsts (beer, girls, arrests, and bikinis), they live it all. The book takes an interesting turn when the love of his life becomes a living zombie (no, no supernatural elements!) and ignores the crap out him.
An important character in the book ‘Jassi’ (or ‘Jassminator’ as he likes to call himself) has embarked on the ‘Amreekan’ journey to meet his beloved Pamelaji (Pamela Anderson). And despite the Anil Kapoor mop of hair on his chest and the body structure of a baby Gorilla, he is dead sure of the fact that girls can’t resist his charm and find him irresistible.
A lot of us can relate to it; most of us have wanted to break free from the clutches of our parents at some point in our lives and when it eventually happens, we regret it. The humour quotient is excellent, and would leave the reader in splits at the humorous Indian oddities we find so hard to let go.
(Quote)
The place was deserted, but suddenly I saw a tall, strong built man jogging towards me. As he passed me, he waved and said “Hello, how are you doing?”
Strangely, he did not even stop to hear my answer.
Now Akhil, if a nice man asks a question, I can’t be rude and not answer. So I ran behind him. I managed to catch up, shook his hand, said “Hi, I’m doing fine, thank you for asking.”
(Quote ends)
You can take the Indian out of India, but not India out of the Indian.
(Quote)
“The puja commenced at 7pm and the girls took over. The only problem was that no one knew the entire Laxmi Aarti by heart. Luckily, Google did, and the puja was performed with the twenty odd Indian Heads bowed in reverence as Anoop Jalota sang praises of Goddess Laxmi on YouTube.”
(Quote ends)
Amreekandesi uncorks day to day happenings of life that we are now used to, but when pointed out will leave us astounded and with a wide grin on our faces. The fact that people in America are unaware of the concept of ’missed call’ left me wondering of all the other things that we do differently.
This one is a must read for all those who enjoy clever allegory and a good laugh.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
Amreekandesi is a satire on the lives of all those star-eyed Indians who dream of leaving their country and making it big in ‘Amreeka’.
This story revolves around a Punjabi boy who wants to go to the country ‘where dreams come true’ aka America, for pursuing higher studies. The author has creatively and accurately portrayed the difficulties he faces to convince Mommy Dearest to let him go and then the ones that arise once he reaches there. It reveals how he and his other FOB (fresh off the boat) mates survive in the land where a small cup of coffee comes for 280 rupees but furniture is free. They learn to endure everything that life and America have in store for them. From heartbreaks to racial comments to a lot of firsts (beer, girls, arrests, and bikinis), they live it all. The book takes an interesting turn when the love of his life becomes a living zombie (no, no supernatural elements!) and ignores the crap out him.
An important character in the book ‘Jassi’ (or ‘Jassminator’ as he likes to call himself) has embarked on the ‘Amreekan’ journey to meet his beloved Pamelaji (Pamela Anderson). And despite the Anil Kapoor mop of hair on his chest and the body structure of a baby Gorilla, he is dead sure of the fact that girls can’t resist his charm and find him irresistible.
A lot of us can relate to it; most of us have wanted to break free from the clutches of our parents at some point in our lives and when it eventually happens, we regret it. The humour quotient is excellent, and would leave the reader in splits at the humorous Indian oddities we find so hard to let go.
(Quote)
The place was deserted, but suddenly I saw a tall, strong built man jogging towards me. As he passed me, he waved and said “Hello, how are you doing?”
Strangely, he did not even stop to hear my answer.
Now Akhil, if a nice man asks a question, I can’t be rude and not answer. So I ran behind him. I managed to catch up, shook his hand, said “Hi, I’m doing fine, thank you for asking.”
(Quote ends)
You can take the Indian out of India, but not India out of the Indian.
(Quote)
“The puja commenced at 7pm and the girls took over. The only problem was that no one knew the entire Laxmi Aarti by heart. Luckily, Google did, and the puja was performed with the twenty odd Indian Heads bowed in reverence as Anoop Jalota sang praises of Goddess Laxmi on YouTube.”
(Quote ends)
Amreekandesi uncorks day to day happenings of life that we are now used to, but when pointed out will leave us astounded and with a wide grin on our faces. The fact that people in America are unaware of the concept of ’missed call’ left me wondering of all the other things that we do differently.
This one is a must read for all those who enjoy clever allegory and a good laugh.
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
July 6, 2013
Amreekan Desi is Atulya Mahajan’s first book. Like many other Indians, Atulya, too, went to the US for his Masters in 2004 and started writing a blog chronicling the lives of Indians living abroad. The book is the culmination of that blog.
The book’s blurb reads: “Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, can’t wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as room-mates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.”
The author’s writing style is easy-to-read and he has painted a very vivid and true picture of life in the US, especially for first-time Indian students. The whole experience of trying to find an apartment, good room-mates, going shopping for Indian food, the thrill of seeing how grand Walmart is for the very first time, the Indian mentality of converting dollars into INR, etc. is well brought out. The author has also elaborated quite well on the college culture – some students are there to taste the free life, some are there to study, some experiment with drugs, some with the opposite gender, etc.
I also quite enjoyed the part where the students take off on short weekend trips across the US. The imagery has been portrayed in a good manner. The relationships between the room-mates, the boys and their prospective girlfriends, students and their professors, etc. have been developed nicely. The part about how Akhil feels when he comes to India for a break has also been explained well - the contrasts between the US and India.
The negatives for me were firstly that there were quite a few typos in the book; proof-reading could have eliminated those. Secondly, it felt that the book was a little stretched and the same topics were being repeated. Thirdly, I found the whole “Indian boys going all crazy for American women” bit a little far-fetched, especially in the 2000s.
I am going with 3/5 for this book; it basically offers nothing new but makes for a good, light read. Maybe people who have absolutely no idea about American life in general and student life in particular would enjoy reading about the experiences detailed in the book. For the others, it is just a reaffirmation of all that they already know.
This review first appeared on my blog: www.pallosworld.blogspot.in.
The book’s blurb reads: “Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, can’t wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as room-mates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.”
The author’s writing style is easy-to-read and he has painted a very vivid and true picture of life in the US, especially for first-time Indian students. The whole experience of trying to find an apartment, good room-mates, going shopping for Indian food, the thrill of seeing how grand Walmart is for the very first time, the Indian mentality of converting dollars into INR, etc. is well brought out. The author has also elaborated quite well on the college culture – some students are there to taste the free life, some are there to study, some experiment with drugs, some with the opposite gender, etc.
I also quite enjoyed the part where the students take off on short weekend trips across the US. The imagery has been portrayed in a good manner. The relationships between the room-mates, the boys and their prospective girlfriends, students and their professors, etc. have been developed nicely. The part about how Akhil feels when he comes to India for a break has also been explained well - the contrasts between the US and India.
The negatives for me were firstly that there were quite a few typos in the book; proof-reading could have eliminated those. Secondly, it felt that the book was a little stretched and the same topics were being repeated. Thirdly, I found the whole “Indian boys going all crazy for American women” bit a little far-fetched, especially in the 2000s.
I am going with 3/5 for this book; it basically offers nothing new but makes for a good, light read. Maybe people who have absolutely no idea about American life in general and student life in particular would enjoy reading about the experiences detailed in the book. For the others, it is just a reaffirmation of all that they already know.
This review first appeared on my blog: www.pallosworld.blogspot.in.
May 18, 2013
"It is a MUST for every aspiring IITian and Graduate, wanting to pursue his/her Master's abroad (specifically the US!)."
Romance, family, values, education, ambitions, relationships, friendships the book has all essential life lessons. To summarize the book is truly a guide for completing successfully a Masters in living life in Amreeka! It is insightful. It is subtle.
The story revolves around two "Desi" engineers, Akhil and Jaspreet, who clear GRE and get to experience the American life while they are pursuing their Masters in the US. Both have different personalities and the book takes you through their many struggles, achievements, their FOB experiences, their parties and their love quests.
The book has some sidesplitting incidents. The story could be immortalized on the silver screen! It was quite an interesting read for me and quite an educating one also! It made me hungry ( for food :P ).
An intense love story of one of the leads, right out of dreamland, is going to keep you hooked until the very end!
So, until your visa gets approved for further studies in the US, this summer embark upon a weekend long journey (you can complete it leisurely over a weekend, some 300 pages) and get your virtual Master's Degree with the much entertaining book "Amreekandesi - Masters of America" by Atulya Mahajan, popularly known as the Amreekan Desi!
Get it! Read it!
(Whenever you are reading the book, keep food handy, as it's going to make you super hungry. Fair warning! ;) )
Romance, family, values, education, ambitions, relationships, friendships the book has all essential life lessons. To summarize the book is truly a guide for completing successfully a Masters in living life in Amreeka! It is insightful. It is subtle.
The story revolves around two "Desi" engineers, Akhil and Jaspreet, who clear GRE and get to experience the American life while they are pursuing their Masters in the US. Both have different personalities and the book takes you through their many struggles, achievements, their FOB experiences, their parties and their love quests.
The book has some sidesplitting incidents. The story could be immortalized on the silver screen! It was quite an interesting read for me and quite an educating one also! It made me hungry ( for food :P ).
An intense love story of one of the leads, right out of dreamland, is going to keep you hooked until the very end!
So, until your visa gets approved for further studies in the US, this summer embark upon a weekend long journey (you can complete it leisurely over a weekend, some 300 pages) and get your virtual Master's Degree with the much entertaining book "Amreekandesi - Masters of America" by Atulya Mahajan, popularly known as the Amreekan Desi!
Get it! Read it!
(Whenever you are reading the book, keep food handy, as it's going to make you super hungry. Fair warning! ;) )
May 22, 2013
A refreshingly wonderful read. It has been ages since I came across a book which makes you laugh and enjoy each and every page of it. The book beautifully captures the basic Indian perspective of viewing USA and the identity crisis and the varied experiences that an Indian in the much coveted Amreeka goes through. One can easily relate to Akhil's mother's apprehension or the jealous Goyalji, Jassi's Amreeka fixation and the every hilarious reference to Pamela Anderson as Pamelaji!
This is a light fun read, beautifully written. A complete entertainer!
Merged review:
A refreshingly wonderful read. It has been ages since I came across a book which makes you laugh and enjoy each and every page of it. The book beautifully captures the basic Indian perspective of viewing USA and the identity crisis and the varied experiences that an Indian in the much coveted Amreeka goes through. One can easily relate to Akhil's mother's apprehension or the jealous Goyalji, Jassi's Amreeka fixation and the every hilarious reference to Pamela Anderson as Pamelaji!
My review here http://esotericphoenix.wordpress.com/...
This is a light fun read, beautifully written. A complete entertainer!
Merged review:
A refreshingly wonderful read. It has been ages since I came across a book which makes you laugh and enjoy each and every page of it. The book beautifully captures the basic Indian perspective of viewing USA and the identity crisis and the varied experiences that an Indian in the much coveted Amreeka goes through. One can easily relate to Akhil's mother's apprehension or the jealous Goyalji, Jassi's Amreeka fixation and the every hilarious reference to Pamela Anderson as Pamelaji!
My review here http://esotericphoenix.wordpress.com/...
August 19, 2013
Its all how you feel at the end after completing the book that matters. I felt happy completing AmreekanDesi. It had its share of dry moments here and there and to top that, the editing went hay-wire with mis printed names, but it gave me a nostalgic feeling. It had good humor, sweet story and the characters were very well developed.
Story of Akhil and jassi, their dream of making it to US for their higher eductaion and how they achieved it is the story. Jassi is in hunt of good Amreekan Gori kudi and Akhil's dream is to prove his nagging neighbour wrong but giving his 100% at his masters program and graduating with flying colors. In the coarse of their MS journey they become roomates, Jassi lands himself in many troubles searching for his Pamela Anderson from Bay Watch and Akhil falls for Nandini, his love of life and how Jessy helps Akhil get back his love after Nandinis parents reject her love since Akhil is a punjabi.
Atulya Mahajan, being an actual alumni of Florida state univ, connected the dots well. I being an US graduate myself could easily connect with some of the situations of book.
Over all it was a very enjoyable read.
4/5
Story of Akhil and jassi, their dream of making it to US for their higher eductaion and how they achieved it is the story. Jassi is in hunt of good Amreekan Gori kudi and Akhil's dream is to prove his nagging neighbour wrong but giving his 100% at his masters program and graduating with flying colors. In the coarse of their MS journey they become roomates, Jassi lands himself in many troubles searching for his Pamela Anderson from Bay Watch and Akhil falls for Nandini, his love of life and how Jessy helps Akhil get back his love after Nandinis parents reject her love since Akhil is a punjabi.
Atulya Mahajan, being an actual alumni of Florida state univ, connected the dots well. I being an US graduate myself could easily connect with some of the situations of book.
Over all it was a very enjoyable read.
4/5
August 15, 2013
Its a Hilarious book with many anecdotes to American Indians. I have picked this book because when this book was available from readerscosmo i was just surfing the net, and i came to a video where Gul Panag was rendezevous with the authour. She was asking why he camed back to India, what are the future prospects of India etc. So after watching that video i thaught this book will reach me to know how Indian Origins are having thier life in America especially Students, and i must say after reading the book i am very much satisfied with this book. Recently i got to know that this book Amreekan Desi by Atulya Mahajan is in a best seller shelf in Mumbai airport. Also its a quick read you will not get bored reading this book. The flow is genuine and also Atulya Mahajan has written in a very simple language their is no harsh words. At some time i thought that authour is inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s 2 States where protogonist do some unusuall things like growing his beard, convincing her would be father in law etc. Its always a worth reading if the publishers are Random House India. Its a handful guide for the Indian students who want’s to go abroad for further studies and settel their.
May 19, 2013
AmreekanDesi is the perfect book to read, if you want to a fun and easy to read book. It has some elements which most of us would have seen in our lives - Weird neighbors, Senti mothers, Awkwardness of going to a new country, Road trips and adventures, Standing up to defend your country against foreigners, Fighting to get back your love, and a sweet happy ending. So there is just too much to relate to and get nostalgic while you enjoy the wittiness and satire the author puts up.
1st half is mostly about the India - US experience, the kind of things all of us have either experienced, or seen in movies (American Pie is a big case in point), while the 2nd half is a very fast paced and dramatic read, around the love story of the protagonist in getting through an inter-cultural marriage.
All in all, its an engrossing read and took me all of 8 hours to finish this up, at a stretch almost.
1st half is mostly about the India - US experience, the kind of things all of us have either experienced, or seen in movies (American Pie is a big case in point), while the 2nd half is a very fast paced and dramatic read, around the love story of the protagonist in getting through an inter-cultural marriage.
All in all, its an engrossing read and took me all of 8 hours to finish this up, at a stretch almost.
July 3, 2013
Very much my experience in US too!! Must read
If u know US of A by only movies and news then this is a must read!
If you have already been there and wud like to read a light hearted story that makes you laugh and remember those days, AD is the perfect book.
It's characters are like us (not the complex and "colors"ful ones) with real ways and realistic dreams and thats why are easy to visualize.
It's also motivating at the same time if you are one of those who think a lot before doing something.
Last but not the least a handy tipbook for those travelling to US for the first time and parents of those travelling.
If u know US of A by only movies and news then this is a must read!
If you have already been there and wud like to read a light hearted story that makes you laugh and remember those days, AD is the perfect book.
It's characters are like us (not the complex and "colors"ful ones) with real ways and realistic dreams and thats why are easy to visualize.
It's also motivating at the same time if you are one of those who think a lot before doing something.
Last but not the least a handy tipbook for those travelling to US for the first time and parents of those travelling.
August 12, 2013
The Review:
Positives: Very well written, crisp and hilarious. The author's witty remarks makes the initial part of the story humorous. He also makes sure you cry when Akhil commits suicide. I easily became a part of the story and wanted more. Initially I thought 300+ pages would be a lot for a light read story, however the flow was good I never realized when it ended.
Negatives: Apart from a few spellings there are no mistakes. Editing is great.
The verdict: The perfect light way to being a part of The American Dream. A must read for everyone who harbors that. A fun read for all. 3.5 stars on 5.
Positives: Very well written, crisp and hilarious. The author's witty remarks makes the initial part of the story humorous. He also makes sure you cry when Akhil commits suicide. I easily became a part of the story and wanted more. Initially I thought 300+ pages would be a lot for a light read story, however the flow was good I never realized when it ended.
Negatives: Apart from a few spellings there are no mistakes. Editing is great.
The verdict: The perfect light way to being a part of The American Dream. A must read for everyone who harbors that. A fun read for all. 3.5 stars on 5.
June 25, 2013
This is a book that you just cant keep down once you start reading it... I would recommend it to all people who like light, breezy reads...
It involves you in lives of Akhil, Nandita, Devika, Aparna... and keeps you hooked.
Another good thing is that the book does not have overdose of sex that most authors think necessary, though I would have liked it better if Jassi aka Jazzminator's character was underplayed a little.
Best part? That the book has lots of subtle messages to give if you care enough about them...
Way to go Atulya... and keep writing...
It involves you in lives of Akhil, Nandita, Devika, Aparna... and keeps you hooked.
Another good thing is that the book does not have overdose of sex that most authors think necessary, though I would have liked it better if Jassi aka Jazzminator's character was underplayed a little.
Best part? That the book has lots of subtle messages to give if you care enough about them...
Way to go Atulya... and keep writing...
July 18, 2013
Liked the book from start to end. You can relate your experiences with the characters. Atulya has tried to portray reality, humor, love and cultural differences in very narrative way. Overall a book worth spending time.
August 9, 2013
this is a fun and light read encompassing the lives of typical graduate students in USA. I liked the simplicity of the plot and smooth flow. In all a refreshing book
August 24, 2013
This review first appeared on http://satyasurya.wordpress.com/2013/...
In the final year of my graduation I saw a lot of my friends reading Barron’s GRE guides, running around institutes for GRE coaching, using new new words (in the daily conversations), applying for colleges and taking recommendation letters. (I think this would be the case with many people today, more particularly in the case of engineering grads ) Well, thanks to FB I saw a lot of them posting pics of their colleges and their road trips in a year or so after the graduation. I always used to feel like you know, this fellow is having a gala time in the US. However, as I never travelled to the US, I have little knowledge on how things shape up for these ambitious guys as they leave the shores of India and land in the “land of opportunity” the United States of America. We rarely see them returning to India, and even when they come back, nostalgia eats away a lot of the conversation. Isn’t it ?
So in reality we know little about the life of our desi students in the US, the troubles,travails and the struggles they goAmreekandesi-Front-Cover1-671x1024 through, the cultural shock they face, the hard realities life teaches to them, the way the education system moulds them and makes them work hard and harder, the way they enjoy their lives and their trips, the way they get smitten by love, the way they search for jobs etc.. are rarely known to us.
In his debut novel “Amreekan Desi” Atulya Mahajan takes through all these things. In those 308 pages he covers almost every aspect of a Desi student’s life in the US. Right from the flight that takes them off from the Indian shores to the graduation day ceremony he covers almost all facets of a desi student’s life in the US.
Akhil Aurora and Jaspreet Singh, two young Indian boys leave to the US to complete their masters, while Akhil is on a mission to prove himself , earn good amount of money and return to India, Jassi wants to radically Americanize himself. I used the word radical for Jessi because one of his aims in going to the US is having an American girl as his wife and living through a few(?) bay watch moments for himself. Both the boys end up in Florida State University to pursue their masters and even end up being roommates. How do they go on with their courses? Will both the boys be successful in their pursuits? What does the land of opportunity have in store for each of them forms the crux of the book.
Then the book also speaks about the Indian community in the campus and how they help out the new joinees, one cannot but appreciate the likes of Dilpreet, Ruksh and Sundar who go out of their way to help the new lads. Then we have the second generation Indian Americans (sarcastically referred to as ABCD’s), the book speaks about the various issues they encounter and the troubles they have in their lives. As the story revolves around college and studies and as we have a desi boy as a protagonist, we get to see a lot of girls in the story. What’s good here is the fact that the female characters actually bring the major twists in the plot while the male characters more or less just respond to the change and take corrective action. Again each of the female characters in the story represent a culture or a value system, you hate some of them, love some of them and empathise with a few of them. but you might hardly forget anyone of them. I liked the way the author handled it. Kudos to the author on a job well done.
The book also challenges some of the myths and some misconceptions that we have regarding America. I thank the author for dispelling some of the myths I harbored. I also liked the way Jassi’s story was handled. I would give the author a perfect 10 on that . See, that lad goes to the US with some false hopes, refuses to accept the reality there, has real tough times but he still seeks what he wants, the way he undergoes the metamorphosis and the way life rewards him in the end are too good. Normally authors do a very god job with the protagonist but handling the second best character also that way was awesome. I loved it.
I can hardly speak about any areas of improvement when it comes to this book, I almost liked each and every page as I was reading it. The pace of the book was good and it will make the reader finish the book quickly. The descriptions of FSU are also good with vivid imagery, I liked it.
The only glitch I felt was the way Akhil makes his love story successful, I felt while most of the book was looking realistic, the only part that makes us feel “this kind of stuff happens only in stories” is the part where Akhil wins over everyone to make his love successful. Interesting read, but it might sound slightly filmy for a few people.
Well forgot to mention, you will see that humor is also very well waved into the book. You find not just a few, but many things that would make you pause and smile/laugh.
All said and done, fantastic book dear friends. I strongly recommend that people read this book. While you would enjoy reading it, you would pick a fact or two about US and the studies there.
Happy Reading
This book review is a part of “The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program”. To get free books log on tothereaderscosmos.blogspot.com.
In the final year of my graduation I saw a lot of my friends reading Barron’s GRE guides, running around institutes for GRE coaching, using new new words (in the daily conversations), applying for colleges and taking recommendation letters. (I think this would be the case with many people today, more particularly in the case of engineering grads ) Well, thanks to FB I saw a lot of them posting pics of their colleges and their road trips in a year or so after the graduation. I always used to feel like you know, this fellow is having a gala time in the US. However, as I never travelled to the US, I have little knowledge on how things shape up for these ambitious guys as they leave the shores of India and land in the “land of opportunity” the United States of America. We rarely see them returning to India, and even when they come back, nostalgia eats away a lot of the conversation. Isn’t it ?
So in reality we know little about the life of our desi students in the US, the troubles,travails and the struggles they goAmreekandesi-Front-Cover1-671x1024 through, the cultural shock they face, the hard realities life teaches to them, the way the education system moulds them and makes them work hard and harder, the way they enjoy their lives and their trips, the way they get smitten by love, the way they search for jobs etc.. are rarely known to us.
In his debut novel “Amreekan Desi” Atulya Mahajan takes through all these things. In those 308 pages he covers almost every aspect of a Desi student’s life in the US. Right from the flight that takes them off from the Indian shores to the graduation day ceremony he covers almost all facets of a desi student’s life in the US.
Akhil Aurora and Jaspreet Singh, two young Indian boys leave to the US to complete their masters, while Akhil is on a mission to prove himself , earn good amount of money and return to India, Jassi wants to radically Americanize himself. I used the word radical for Jessi because one of his aims in going to the US is having an American girl as his wife and living through a few(?) bay watch moments for himself. Both the boys end up in Florida State University to pursue their masters and even end up being roommates. How do they go on with their courses? Will both the boys be successful in their pursuits? What does the land of opportunity have in store for each of them forms the crux of the book.
Then the book also speaks about the Indian community in the campus and how they help out the new joinees, one cannot but appreciate the likes of Dilpreet, Ruksh and Sundar who go out of their way to help the new lads. Then we have the second generation Indian Americans (sarcastically referred to as ABCD’s), the book speaks about the various issues they encounter and the troubles they have in their lives. As the story revolves around college and studies and as we have a desi boy as a protagonist, we get to see a lot of girls in the story. What’s good here is the fact that the female characters actually bring the major twists in the plot while the male characters more or less just respond to the change and take corrective action. Again each of the female characters in the story represent a culture or a value system, you hate some of them, love some of them and empathise with a few of them. but you might hardly forget anyone of them. I liked the way the author handled it. Kudos to the author on a job well done.
The book also challenges some of the myths and some misconceptions that we have regarding America. I thank the author for dispelling some of the myths I harbored. I also liked the way Jassi’s story was handled. I would give the author a perfect 10 on that . See, that lad goes to the US with some false hopes, refuses to accept the reality there, has real tough times but he still seeks what he wants, the way he undergoes the metamorphosis and the way life rewards him in the end are too good. Normally authors do a very god job with the protagonist but handling the second best character also that way was awesome. I loved it.
I can hardly speak about any areas of improvement when it comes to this book, I almost liked each and every page as I was reading it. The pace of the book was good and it will make the reader finish the book quickly. The descriptions of FSU are also good with vivid imagery, I liked it.
The only glitch I felt was the way Akhil makes his love story successful, I felt while most of the book was looking realistic, the only part that makes us feel “this kind of stuff happens only in stories” is the part where Akhil wins over everyone to make his love successful. Interesting read, but it might sound slightly filmy for a few people.
Well forgot to mention, you will see that humor is also very well waved into the book. You find not just a few, but many things that would make you pause and smile/laugh.
All said and done, fantastic book dear friends. I strongly recommend that people read this book. While you would enjoy reading it, you would pick a fact or two about US and the studies there.
Happy Reading
This book review is a part of “The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program”. To get free books log on tothereaderscosmos.blogspot.com.
August 28, 2013
Characters
Akhil
He dreams big and strives hard to make his parents proud. He loves India and never goes out of ways. He is disciplined and new found freedom has little influence over him. He is a dedicated lover and an ardent learner. He is friendly and at the same time, never goes beyond his limit. He is comfortable with his identity as Indian and never once aspires to transform into an American at heart.
Jassi
He is a stark opposite to Akhil. His only goal in life is to land in America and the only dream in life is girls! He comes to America because he feels uncomfortable with his Indian identity. He desires for a much cleaner and disciplined nation like America. For him studies are secondary. His primary objective is always girls and more girls.
What I think...
I am a person who strongly believes that places, people and circumstances can influence a person up to a limit. Beyond that it is always a person’s choice.
And this book only re-emphasises this belief I carry!
Akhil remain Akhil. His new found freedom has little influence. In fact, it helps him become a better person. On the other hand, Jassi sees the same dream, of Pamela, both in India and in America. However, a few experiences teach some important lessons to him.
The beauty of this book is the characters and the simplicity of their nature. Kedar, Sundar, Dilpreet, Buffallo brothers, Devika, Aparna, Pooja, Priyank, Victoria and, the hero Akhil’ heroine - Nanditha.
There are multiple characters and this is unavoidable on account of the college theme. Yet each one of them are memorable. All of them are unique and carry their shades of grey.
The parents of Akhil and Nanditha come across as the clichéd Bollywood parents who know only yell or cry. But, towards the end, they evolve as any of our parents; a kind of parents who care only for the happiness of their children.
The cover-page of this book is interesting and grabs the attention of the readers. It bubbles with life and implicitly conveys what this book has in store for us.
Between, I noticed something. The author went to US in 2004 and so does the characters. That’s brought a smile in my face. Writers are always comfortable to talk about their era and relive their past life through their characters. I am not complaining. It’s just an observation!
But...
The Devdas phase of Akhil is too dramatized. Akhil comes across as an intelligent, pragmatic and rational throughout the book except during this phase.
Should you read it?
You have to, dude.
Because the flow of the narrative is impeccable! I didn’t realize the passage of time at all. It is an easy read and is full of positivity. You feel young and happy.
Characters like Akhil and Jassi are rare. And I believe that they should be befriended!
Rating
3.5/5
Akhil
He dreams big and strives hard to make his parents proud. He loves India and never goes out of ways. He is disciplined and new found freedom has little influence over him. He is a dedicated lover and an ardent learner. He is friendly and at the same time, never goes beyond his limit. He is comfortable with his identity as Indian and never once aspires to transform into an American at heart.
Jassi
He is a stark opposite to Akhil. His only goal in life is to land in America and the only dream in life is girls! He comes to America because he feels uncomfortable with his Indian identity. He desires for a much cleaner and disciplined nation like America. For him studies are secondary. His primary objective is always girls and more girls.
What I think...
I am a person who strongly believes that places, people and circumstances can influence a person up to a limit. Beyond that it is always a person’s choice.
And this book only re-emphasises this belief I carry!
Akhil remain Akhil. His new found freedom has little influence. In fact, it helps him become a better person. On the other hand, Jassi sees the same dream, of Pamela, both in India and in America. However, a few experiences teach some important lessons to him.
The beauty of this book is the characters and the simplicity of their nature. Kedar, Sundar, Dilpreet, Buffallo brothers, Devika, Aparna, Pooja, Priyank, Victoria and, the hero Akhil’ heroine - Nanditha.
There are multiple characters and this is unavoidable on account of the college theme. Yet each one of them are memorable. All of them are unique and carry their shades of grey.
The parents of Akhil and Nanditha come across as the clichéd Bollywood parents who know only yell or cry. But, towards the end, they evolve as any of our parents; a kind of parents who care only for the happiness of their children.
The cover-page of this book is interesting and grabs the attention of the readers. It bubbles with life and implicitly conveys what this book has in store for us.
Between, I noticed something. The author went to US in 2004 and so does the characters. That’s brought a smile in my face. Writers are always comfortable to talk about their era and relive their past life through their characters. I am not complaining. It’s just an observation!
But...
The Devdas phase of Akhil is too dramatized. Akhil comes across as an intelligent, pragmatic and rational throughout the book except during this phase.
Should you read it?
You have to, dude.
Because the flow of the narrative is impeccable! I didn’t realize the passage of time at all. It is an easy read and is full of positivity. You feel young and happy.
Characters like Akhil and Jassi are rare. And I believe that they should be befriended!
Rating
3.5/5
August 26, 2013
Plot (from the jacket):
Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, cant wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as roommates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.
About the author (from GoodReads):
Atulya Mahajan is the author of amreekandesi.com, a popular Indian satire blog. Born and raised in Delhi, he moved to the US in 2004 for his Masters and stayed on for five years before returning to India, in a Swades-inspired moment. During his time in the US, he started his blog to chronicle the lives of Indians living abroad, and this book is the culmination of that vision. He also writes occasional humour columns for the Times of India, Crest Edition.
Ever since he returned to India, Atulya has spent thousands of hours shouting at random taxi drivers and motorcyclists who overtake from the wrong side. If you want to see him convert into the Hulk, just honk at him at a red light.
When not busy writing hilarious pieces, Atulya works at an investment bank as a technologist. He claims to be the first man ever to have 24-pack abs, and has reportedly tried about 485 remedies to stop hairfall, all of them albeit unsuccessfully.
My take on the book:
Cover design:
The comical cover design of the book serves best to portray the typical genre of the book to great extent and the title does the rest of the job.
The attractive colours of the cover and the comical design on the front serves the basic idea of the book. Its a perfect-ten when compared to the plot of the story: connected to America and comical.
Publishers:
Random House India. This book is notably..........................
To read the whole review, click here...
Akhil Arora, a young, dorky engineer in Delhi, cant wait to get away from home and prove to his folks that he can be on his own. Meanwhile in a small town in Punjab, Jaspreet Singh, aka Jassi, is busy dreaming of a life straight out of American Pie. As fate would have it, they end up as roommates in Florida. But the two boys are poles apart in their perspectives and expectations of America. While Akhil is fiercely patriotic and hopes to come back to India in a few years, Jassi finds his Indian identity an uncomfortable burden and looks forward to finding an American girl with whom he can live happily ever after.
Laced with funny anecdotes and witty insights, Amreekandesi chronicles the quintessential immigrant experience, highlighting the clash of cultures, the search for identity, and the quest for survival in a foreign land.
About the author (from GoodReads):
Atulya Mahajan is the author of amreekandesi.com, a popular Indian satire blog. Born and raised in Delhi, he moved to the US in 2004 for his Masters and stayed on for five years before returning to India, in a Swades-inspired moment. During his time in the US, he started his blog to chronicle the lives of Indians living abroad, and this book is the culmination of that vision. He also writes occasional humour columns for the Times of India, Crest Edition.
Ever since he returned to India, Atulya has spent thousands of hours shouting at random taxi drivers and motorcyclists who overtake from the wrong side. If you want to see him convert into the Hulk, just honk at him at a red light.
When not busy writing hilarious pieces, Atulya works at an investment bank as a technologist. He claims to be the first man ever to have 24-pack abs, and has reportedly tried about 485 remedies to stop hairfall, all of them albeit unsuccessfully.
My take on the book:
Cover design:
The comical cover design of the book serves best to portray the typical genre of the book to great extent and the title does the rest of the job.
The attractive colours of the cover and the comical design on the front serves the basic idea of the book. Its a perfect-ten when compared to the plot of the story: connected to America and comical.
Publishers:
Random House India. This book is notably..........................
To read the whole review, click here...
September 4, 2013
I got an insight of this book from the author’s twitter handle. Being a great follow on twitter, his sense of humor is obviously judgmental. Flawless is the word for his presence of mind and tricks to inculcate simple everyday matters and parts n parcels of life into a laughter factory. There is no comprehension about the comedy and drama that the author is able to exhibit even into minute issues.
A very next door comprehension of Indian household and their reactions to American Dreams has been portrayed with all puns intended. The story tickles our funny bones with the incidents that we all witness somewhere in our daily life. The relative association between our lives and the plot that the author has aimed at, gives us a feel good about the story.
The story has no surprise, it is a predictable plot and everything is known. The influence of getting in college sex and tongue wagging at white skin woman anatomy is all over. The protagonists were so much in a hurry to get into the college life in the US that getting a VISA and managing fund for US education looked easier that getting girls in the college. Tons and tons of spelling mistakes, grammar has no control anywhere. In the initial pages author is confused with Arora-ji and Goyal-ji. Editorial mistakes are remarkably visible and for a publisher like Random House, this is surprising that they even printed this manuscript full of mistakes. The plot has no twist, no climax, no suspense just a day to day life of any Indian who runs away from the country and then waits to come back for good.
I had great expectations from this book, but on the whole, it is an utter waste of time. I hope, this book does not go out in Amazon and publicize more on the hopelessness portrayed by the author about Indians abroad. I must finally conclude by saying that this is a story about Indians running away from the country, may be 10-15 years back. It is no more the scenario and is a bad featuring of the Indian follows.
A very next door comprehension of Indian household and their reactions to American Dreams has been portrayed with all puns intended. The story tickles our funny bones with the incidents that we all witness somewhere in our daily life. The relative association between our lives and the plot that the author has aimed at, gives us a feel good about the story.
The story has no surprise, it is a predictable plot and everything is known. The influence of getting in college sex and tongue wagging at white skin woman anatomy is all over. The protagonists were so much in a hurry to get into the college life in the US that getting a VISA and managing fund for US education looked easier that getting girls in the college. Tons and tons of spelling mistakes, grammar has no control anywhere. In the initial pages author is confused with Arora-ji and Goyal-ji. Editorial mistakes are remarkably visible and for a publisher like Random House, this is surprising that they even printed this manuscript full of mistakes. The plot has no twist, no climax, no suspense just a day to day life of any Indian who runs away from the country and then waits to come back for good.
I had great expectations from this book, but on the whole, it is an utter waste of time. I hope, this book does not go out in Amazon and publicize more on the hopelessness portrayed by the author about Indians abroad. I must finally conclude by saying that this is a story about Indians running away from the country, may be 10-15 years back. It is no more the scenario and is a bad featuring of the Indian follows.
June 18, 2013
Amreekan Desi by Atulya Mahajan is the story of Akhil Arora and Jaspreet Singh who go to the Florida State University to do his Masters in Science Degree at America.
Akhil Arora is an engineer, living in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi and gets a scholarship. His parents are upset and so is Goyal Saab, their neighbor who can't stop eating Samosa in the Arora house and talking about his son, Priyank. His mother agrees to send him only if his father would go there and settle him. He wants to study hard and get a job. He is very attached to his parents and sister, Aarti.
Jaspreet Singh, Jassi or Jazz is from Ludhiana Punjab, wants to go to America because he feels that America has everything that India does not have After his selection, he even starts talking in American slangs and accent.
The FSU Indian Student Association at Tallahassee informs that them they would have to share an apartment when they are in Florida. Both of them fly to the US on different flights on the 10th of July 2004. In the States, rent an apartment with a third student from India to split up the costs. They shop for grocery, cook, have parties, celebrate festivals with fellow Indian students. They take up jobs to earn money while studying. Like every Indian who goes out of India, they convert everything into rupees.
Akhil is homesick, very sincere, who wants to achieve something and comeback to India whereas Jassi wants to have fun and enjoy himself. Akhil meets Nandita on the flight from India and they gradually fall in love. Jassi wants to date women in the US.
There are a lot of places in the book where you realize that Akhil could be the author potraying himself. There are editorial mistakes, places where the character has been wrongly named and some places I felt that it dragged too much.
A light book, makes an excellent timepass.
Akhil Arora is an engineer, living in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi and gets a scholarship. His parents are upset and so is Goyal Saab, their neighbor who can't stop eating Samosa in the Arora house and talking about his son, Priyank. His mother agrees to send him only if his father would go there and settle him. He wants to study hard and get a job. He is very attached to his parents and sister, Aarti.
Jaspreet Singh, Jassi or Jazz is from Ludhiana Punjab, wants to go to America because he feels that America has everything that India does not have After his selection, he even starts talking in American slangs and accent.
The FSU Indian Student Association at Tallahassee informs that them they would have to share an apartment when they are in Florida. Both of them fly to the US on different flights on the 10th of July 2004. In the States, rent an apartment with a third student from India to split up the costs. They shop for grocery, cook, have parties, celebrate festivals with fellow Indian students. They take up jobs to earn money while studying. Like every Indian who goes out of India, they convert everything into rupees.
Akhil is homesick, very sincere, who wants to achieve something and comeback to India whereas Jassi wants to have fun and enjoy himself. Akhil meets Nandita on the flight from India and they gradually fall in love. Jassi wants to date women in the US.
There are a lot of places in the book where you realize that Akhil could be the author potraying himself. There are editorial mistakes, places where the character has been wrongly named and some places I felt that it dragged too much.
A light book, makes an excellent timepass.
February 17, 2017
Going to America for studies and jobs and settling down there is the dream of millions of Indian youth. For them America is the country of hopes and opportunities. Akhil Arora is one such Indian soul hailing from Delhi. While on one hand, he cannot wait to get away from home on the other hand he dreams of returning to India to do his country some good. He is the ‘Swades’ boy. Jaspreet Singh is yet another Indian soul from a village in Punjab who wishes to go to America. His aspirations are however different from Akhil’s as he dreams of a life right out of American pie. After working odd jobs for a year, when he is accepted in an American university, Akil and Jaspreet find themselves as roommates.
First comes what I did like about this book. The novel deals with the difference between our dreams and the facts of life there and how these two boys, who are poles apart, deal with it. Also, it touches the subjects of parental pressures, personal ambitions and racism even though they fail to make an overall impact. I also, like the author’s witty/humorous take that did make me laugh out once in a while.
What I didn’t like is that this novel managed to stereotype people in the most practised manner. I know it’s the way of life for us Indians, but it is also one habit that we seriously need to break. Stereotyping people, with no matter what intentions, when you are reaching out to million is one habit that our authors and filmmakers need to break out of. Also, sex! Yes we know all the boys are driven by only hormones – no need to point it out to us again and again all the while objectifying the women around them. Jassi’s fixation on ‘Pamelaji’ is simply crazy.
A promising outline, but commercializing the product took the good parts out of the book. While the issues could have been outlined better, selling the book through sex spoiled it for me.
First comes what I did like about this book. The novel deals with the difference between our dreams and the facts of life there and how these two boys, who are poles apart, deal with it. Also, it touches the subjects of parental pressures, personal ambitions and racism even though they fail to make an overall impact. I also, like the author’s witty/humorous take that did make me laugh out once in a while.
What I didn’t like is that this novel managed to stereotype people in the most practised manner. I know it’s the way of life for us Indians, but it is also one habit that we seriously need to break. Stereotyping people, with no matter what intentions, when you are reaching out to million is one habit that our authors and filmmakers need to break out of. Also, sex! Yes we know all the boys are driven by only hormones – no need to point it out to us again and again all the while objectifying the women around them. Jassi’s fixation on ‘Pamelaji’ is simply crazy.
A promising outline, but commercializing the product took the good parts out of the book. While the issues could have been outlined better, selling the book through sex spoiled it for me.
September 5, 2013
Amreekandesi - Masters of America is one of those reads that can be termed as a tell-all about Indian students living “The American Dream” & the confused life associated with it. The author – Atulya Mahajan, himself has ‘Been there, Done that’ and has wittily drawn out from his experience to portray the struggles of Indian students trying to find their feet in the foreign land whilst adapting to the diametrically opposite cultures. With equal doses of sarcasm & drollness, Amreekandesi weaves together contemporary issues of culture clash, identity crisis & the quest for survival. The plot itself revolves around two Indian boys - the protagonists - Akhil Arora and Jaspreet Singh, who not only share the same apartment but also the same dream of making it “big” in America albeit in different contexts!!
Akhil & Jaspreet (aka Jassi aka Jazz aka Jazzminator) are as opposite to each other as chalk & cheese & so is their reason to go to the States. Akhil Arora is a simple, pampered engineer from Delhi who wants to move away from his overbearing parents, stay independently and hence prove to everyone under the sun (read : nosy & snobbish Uncles & relatives) that he is capable of managing his own life. On the other hand, Jaspreet Singh hails from a small town in Punjab for whom life in America is akin to the movie American Pie and he intends to live it just like that – in the arms of Pamelaji (read : Pamela Anderson). What ensues is a series of episodes – some quirky, some hilarious, some embarrassing and some eye-opening when the horny Jassi meets the equally dorky Akhil in the States and both become roommates.
Read complete review at : http://poojareviewer.blogspot.in/2013...
Akhil & Jaspreet (aka Jassi aka Jazz aka Jazzminator) are as opposite to each other as chalk & cheese & so is their reason to go to the States. Akhil Arora is a simple, pampered engineer from Delhi who wants to move away from his overbearing parents, stay independently and hence prove to everyone under the sun (read : nosy & snobbish Uncles & relatives) that he is capable of managing his own life. On the other hand, Jaspreet Singh hails from a small town in Punjab for whom life in America is akin to the movie American Pie and he intends to live it just like that – in the arms of Pamelaji (read : Pamela Anderson). What ensues is a series of episodes – some quirky, some hilarious, some embarrassing and some eye-opening when the horny Jassi meets the equally dorky Akhil in the States and both become roommates.
Read complete review at : http://poojareviewer.blogspot.in/2013...
September 11, 2013
Much like the term “Amreekan Desi” cannot be applicable to the entire Indian Student Population in the U.S, Atulya Mahajan’s eponymous book can’t be expected to speak about all of them. At best it is a dry, often matter of fact, recollection of events in a bunch of students’ post graduate lives abroad as seen through the eyes of its protagonist Akhil Arora.
Though it does not come under the coveted category of “Unputdownable”, the book is consistently readable and you would find yourself flipping pages more readily than you would have thought. The plot is something anyone can think of but what works in its favor is that it is not pretentious and rather is comfortable with its lack of ambition and surprisingly honest about it being an underwhelming work of art.
If you are looking for stereotypes, you are in for a thanksgiving here, as the book is loaded with them. Back home there are the snack eating, parantha loving neighbors in Delhi and relatives who tend to take gibes at our “heroes” through comparisons with their own offspring. On the other side of the seven seas there is the good boy hero who works hard and succeeds in love at the end, but not before suffering a minor heart break and resisting suggestive passes from a femme fatale. The average Joe who is in the States for bikini-clad girls, beaches and Pamelaji in no particular order, helpful seniors and a stern but compassionate professor at the FSU to complete the players list.
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Though it does not come under the coveted category of “Unputdownable”, the book is consistently readable and you would find yourself flipping pages more readily than you would have thought. The plot is something anyone can think of but what works in its favor is that it is not pretentious and rather is comfortable with its lack of ambition and surprisingly honest about it being an underwhelming work of art.
If you are looking for stereotypes, you are in for a thanksgiving here, as the book is loaded with them. Back home there are the snack eating, parantha loving neighbors in Delhi and relatives who tend to take gibes at our “heroes” through comparisons with their own offspring. On the other side of the seven seas there is the good boy hero who works hard and succeeds in love at the end, but not before suffering a minor heart break and resisting suggestive passes from a femme fatale. The average Joe who is in the States for bikini-clad girls, beaches and Pamelaji in no particular order, helpful seniors and a stern but compassionate professor at the FSU to complete the players list.
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August 22, 2013
I have given this book two stars - not that it is bad, but because there is scope for a lot of improvement.
There were too many details and explanations that the book could have done without. After a few pages into it, I found myself skipping paras where local (Indian) references were described in detail. I understood the context in which they were being used and didn't feel the need to read through the character explaining the entire thing. Chapters with the whole - eating, drinking, sleeping, going to class - activities of the protagonists or some other character, made the first half of the book quite a drag. It seemed to me like a documentary - chronologically recording each and every action and thought of the characters, rather than a fiction. It's only in the later half that the story gets interesting, when you see romance, drama, tragedy and later celebration.
I really liked the progression of the story and the growth of the characters in the second half.
Atulya may have been trying to connect with his readers through this story, but I fear that he may not have succeeded well here. Maybe he failed to identify who he was writing for. If it was to reach out only to an Indian audience, he should have removed / reduced some of the descriptions. It would have been more enjoyable. If it's meant for mass appeal, he might want to rework some of the sections in the book to make it more appealing.
[I received this book in exchange for an honest review]
There were too many details and explanations that the book could have done without. After a few pages into it, I found myself skipping paras where local (Indian) references were described in detail. I understood the context in which they were being used and didn't feel the need to read through the character explaining the entire thing. Chapters with the whole - eating, drinking, sleeping, going to class - activities of the protagonists or some other character, made the first half of the book quite a drag. It seemed to me like a documentary - chronologically recording each and every action and thought of the characters, rather than a fiction. It's only in the later half that the story gets interesting, when you see romance, drama, tragedy and later celebration.
I really liked the progression of the story and the growth of the characters in the second half.
Atulya may have been trying to connect with his readers through this story, but I fear that he may not have succeeded well here. Maybe he failed to identify who he was writing for. If it was to reach out only to an Indian audience, he should have removed / reduced some of the descriptions. It would have been more enjoyable. If it's meant for mass appeal, he might want to rework some of the sections in the book to make it more appealing.
[I received this book in exchange for an honest review]
July 23, 2013
A light & fun read but confused about itself. Take it easy, or it will KLPD you.
Everything (dialogues, narrative style, direction and events etc.) fluctuates from being childish, unrealistic, touching, witty, wow-ing and then off to Bollywood drama. Characters were good – realistic, palpable but almost non-evolving till the climax. Except for Jassi’s character – that guy’s part is very well done.
It felt like eating at an Indian wedding – you put a little bit of everything to eat, mix it into an unrecognizable mess. Some bites you will love and some will make you go – meh. But you will still fill your stomach.
A confused mix of over and under-attempt. Don’t expect much from this book. Ever. Or you will be disappointed. Fun read if you’re bored or traveling. And a nostalgic read if you’re an FOB. Annoying if you care about storytelling as much as you care about the story.
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Everything (dialogues, narrative style, direction and events etc.) fluctuates from being childish, unrealistic, touching, witty, wow-ing and then off to Bollywood drama. Characters were good – realistic, palpable but almost non-evolving till the climax. Except for Jassi’s character – that guy’s part is very well done.
It felt like eating at an Indian wedding – you put a little bit of everything to eat, mix it into an unrecognizable mess. Some bites you will love and some will make you go – meh. But you will still fill your stomach.
A confused mix of over and under-attempt. Don’t expect much from this book. Ever. Or you will be disappointed. Fun read if you’re bored or traveling. And a nostalgic read if you’re an FOB. Annoying if you care about storytelling as much as you care about the story.
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February 28, 2015
Amreekan desi :The books seems to target NRIs and wanna be geeks drenched in wet dreams about bikini clad blondes basking in autumn sun on beaches in US. One such guy is Jaspreet or Jassi or Jazzminator who thinks he is god’s gift to not just women but for no less than Baywatch babe Pamela jee. But the main protagonist is Delhi boy Akhil Arora, who missed the bus to IIT and thus to be one up on them, he wants to acquire the halo of an American post graduate degree. The rest of the book is about their account of life in an American university.
July 9, 2013
This book, is quite a light read. Unlike other books by upcoming Indian authors where stories revolve around sex and college life, this gives a glimpse of the college life abroad but in a different and much better way. The story is about two guys who aspired to land in a foreign university, how there life evolved. There are many other characters involved in the story playing small but important roles, first being the
families of the two. You can relate to the story and can enjoy it. Nice to read!!!
families of the two. You can relate to the story and can enjoy it. Nice to read!!!
August 8, 2013
My review: http://wp.me/p2J8yh-2r2
I like breezy reads. They can be completed quickly, and more often than not, have a simple and interesting story. With Amreekandesi, the case was the same. I finished the novel in a few hours, and the story flowed quickly and kept the interest for that duration, and I even went back to some parts. There is humor, though not so much that you LOL throughout the book, but enough at the right places. Quite a lot of things are well executed given the setting of the book as well. I enjoyed this book.
I like breezy reads. They can be completed quickly, and more often than not, have a simple and interesting story. With Amreekandesi, the case was the same. I finished the novel in a few hours, and the story flowed quickly and kept the interest for that duration, and I even went back to some parts. There is humor, though not so much that you LOL throughout the book, but enough at the right places. Quite a lot of things are well executed given the setting of the book as well. I enjoyed this book.
August 27, 2013
A great read that you can flip through in few hours! Even my dad enojyed it!! I think any student that wishes to study abroad should give this book a try which can be best called a coming of age novel laced with humor from a debut writer. Though exaggerated and not completely accurate it might shed some insight for a novice student regarding what he / she could expect on foreign shores.
Check out the detailed review at: http://muddledup.wordpress.com/2013/0...
Check out the detailed review at: http://muddledup.wordpress.com/2013/0...
August 5, 2013
nothing great or out of ordinary. light read.
about 2 guys from India, with different views and desires, spend their 2 years in America.
writing is good for a debutant. Could have done with some proof-reading and some grammar checking, though.
read my review here : http://jigar-doshi.com/2013/08/amreek...
about 2 guys from India, with different views and desires, spend their 2 years in America.
writing is good for a debutant. Could have done with some proof-reading and some grammar checking, though.
read my review here : http://jigar-doshi.com/2013/08/amreek...
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