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Fade Into Red
Ayra always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine, life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is becoming a light-year one.
On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine. Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.
On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine. Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.
- GenresRomance
363 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2014
About the author
Reshma K. Barshikar
3 books25 followersReshma K. Barshikar is an erstwhile Investment Banker who fell down a rabbit hole in 2013 and discovered a world outside a fluorescent cubicle. Since then she has wholly embraced daydreaming as her key skill. Fade Into Red, published by Penguin Random House, was her debut novel. Her first YA Fantasy novel, The Hidden Children, won the 2019 Children’s Book Award and went on to become a National Bestseller. When she’s not dreaming up elaborate plots she can barely worm her way out of, she also writes features and contributes to the the National Geographic Traveller, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, The Sunday Guardian, The Mint Lounge, The New Indian Express and The Hindu. She is also the creator and founder of The Hidden Imagination Writers Academy.
Reshma is from the ISB Class of 2003. She lives in Mumbai with her husband and daughter but would really like to say, inspired by the many author bios she’s read, that she lives between the Nilgiris and Mumbai with one imaginary foot in a house in Goa, with a doberman named Lobo and a horse called Shadowfax. She believes in manifesting. All her work can be found on www.reshmakbarshikar.com.
Reshma is from the ISB Class of 2003. She lives in Mumbai with her husband and daughter but would really like to say, inspired by the many author bios she’s read, that she lives between the Nilgiris and Mumbai with one imaginary foot in a house in Goa, with a doberman named Lobo and a horse called Shadowfax. She believes in manifesting. All her work can be found on www.reshmakbarshikar.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 17, 2017
Welcome to Arya’s life. Arya, who dreams of becoming an Art Historian but is an investment banker instead. She is successfully juggling her family, her career and her long distant boyfriend. While her family wants her to get married off with her boyfriend, and both the families decide to meet, Arya takes off on a short trip to Tuscany to buy a wineyard for a star client. It was supposed to be a short hassle free trip that turned into something more. Dodgy dealings and a playboy interested to taste more than just wine is thrown into the mix. So, will Arya’s life ever settle down and will she find happiness in it?
Italy is the top thing on my bucket list. I want to visit that country so bad! So I pick up any chance to know more about it – whether through a book or through a movie and that was the main reason I decided to pick this one up. After, Rome, Venice and Milan, Tuscany is also a place I would dearly love to visit for its beautiful landscape and awesome vineyards. Set in the backdrop of Tuscany, the author gives us a tour of the city through her work.
Arya is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent, ambitious and secret desires, she is living the life of her to its fullest irrespective of all the compromises she had to make. She is like majority of the people, both men and women included, when it comes to her career. She is obviously stuck in one underpaid job while her heart wants something else on the whole. Ishaan adds colour and flavor to her life. Both hating each other from the beginning, their bantering is entertaining. I also loved Arya’s friend and family who provide a certain amount of stability to her life.
While the plot is obviously predictable, the author captures the readers’ attention with her narration style, simple language and a deep look at Tuscany and its numerous vineyards. Definitely entertaining read!
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/07/Fad...
Italy is the top thing on my bucket list. I want to visit that country so bad! So I pick up any chance to know more about it – whether through a book or through a movie and that was the main reason I decided to pick this one up. After, Rome, Venice and Milan, Tuscany is also a place I would dearly love to visit for its beautiful landscape and awesome vineyards. Set in the backdrop of Tuscany, the author gives us a tour of the city through her work.
Arya is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent, ambitious and secret desires, she is living the life of her to its fullest irrespective of all the compromises she had to make. She is like majority of the people, both men and women included, when it comes to her career. She is obviously stuck in one underpaid job while her heart wants something else on the whole. Ishaan adds colour and flavor to her life. Both hating each other from the beginning, their bantering is entertaining. I also loved Arya’s friend and family who provide a certain amount of stability to her life.
While the plot is obviously predictable, the author captures the readers’ attention with her narration style, simple language and a deep look at Tuscany and its numerous vineyards. Definitely entertaining read!
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/07/Fad...
July 17, 2014
I wasn't expecting much before diving into Fade Into Red by Reshma K. Barshikar so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the book. It was a good change of pace for me from the usual romances. Fade Into Red can't exactly be put into a category but if I had to it would be chick lit with more depth. There is a little bit of romance but for the most part it is Ayra's story.
Ayra has always wanted to be an art historian but circumstances and her practical mindset made her into an investment banker. When she is sent to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a client she doesn't expect her life to change so drastically or maybe it is she herself who changes.
I really liked Ayra. She was a modern woman who wanted to have a good, financially secure job even if it meant letting go of her passion. She was a determined woman who was trying to meet everyone's expectations even if it meant putting her wishes on the backseat for awhile. The part I enjoyed the most in Fade Into Red was when Ayra and Ishaan are searching for vineyards. I found the whole wine making process really interesting.
The description of the Tuscan Hills and various locations was amazing and easy to imagine. But it was not all about the wines. Here is from where Ayra's life takes a turn for the worse and where she realizes that things are definitely not as they seem. I liked Ayra's family. They were the ones who brought the normal and typical in her life while being there for her always. I also loved her friend Nars who was always there for her, as was Kartik.
Fade Into Red was more about discovering yourself. It was Ayra's journey to learning how to compromise and to giving your loved ones priority. It was about finding the right balance between doing what you love and doing what you have to do. Overall Fade Into Red was a good and very realistic read which ended in hope. I liked it.
*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Random House India in exchange for an honest review. We thank them
Find more of my reviews at The Readdicts- http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/
Ayra has always wanted to be an art historian but circumstances and her practical mindset made her into an investment banker. When she is sent to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a client she doesn't expect her life to change so drastically or maybe it is she herself who changes.
I really liked Ayra. She was a modern woman who wanted to have a good, financially secure job even if it meant letting go of her passion. She was a determined woman who was trying to meet everyone's expectations even if it meant putting her wishes on the backseat for awhile. The part I enjoyed the most in Fade Into Red was when Ayra and Ishaan are searching for vineyards. I found the whole wine making process really interesting.
The description of the Tuscan Hills and various locations was amazing and easy to imagine. But it was not all about the wines. Here is from where Ayra's life takes a turn for the worse and where she realizes that things are definitely not as they seem. I liked Ayra's family. They were the ones who brought the normal and typical in her life while being there for her always. I also loved her friend Nars who was always there for her, as was Kartik.
Fade Into Red was more about discovering yourself. It was Ayra's journey to learning how to compromise and to giving your loved ones priority. It was about finding the right balance between doing what you love and doing what you have to do. Overall Fade Into Red was a good and very realistic read which ended in hope. I liked it.
*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Random House India in exchange for an honest review. We thank them
Find more of my reviews at The Readdicts- http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/
October 26, 2016
Fade Into Red is.... and here is the part where you get all the typical lines about it being a romance. Except. .. while it is a romance, there is absolutely nothing typical about the book.
Ayra is an investment banker. A sane, serious person whose family might be just a bit too interested in getting her to tie the knot with her long time and long distance boyfriend.
But instead of being in Chennai for the time when the two families meet, she ends up taking a - what should have been extremely small - trip to Italy to ensure the smooth acquisition of a vineyard for the son of one their firms biggest clients.
Here kicks in Murphy's Law added to the fact that she hates the son and vice versa, and there is something really shady about the deal. So now you see why there is nothing typical about this book - because believe you me - you have not explored Italy or love - until you do so through Ayra's over analytical eyes.
Frantic parents, jilted exes, shady midnight deals and good wine only add spice to this story set in Chennai, Mumbai and the Italian countryside.
Definitely recommended!
Ayra is an investment banker. A sane, serious person whose family might be just a bit too interested in getting her to tie the knot with her long time and long distance boyfriend.
But instead of being in Chennai for the time when the two families meet, she ends up taking a - what should have been extremely small - trip to Italy to ensure the smooth acquisition of a vineyard for the son of one their firms biggest clients.
Here kicks in Murphy's Law added to the fact that she hates the son and vice versa, and there is something really shady about the deal. So now you see why there is nothing typical about this book - because believe you me - you have not explored Italy or love - until you do so through Ayra's over analytical eyes.
Frantic parents, jilted exes, shady midnight deals and good wine only add spice to this story set in Chennai, Mumbai and the Italian countryside.
Definitely recommended!
August 2, 2014
As seen on my blog Wanton Ruminating (www.malvikajaswal.wordpress.com)
We are introduced to the heroine of the tale, Arya (lovely name by the way), an investment banker with a degree in art history, living in Mumbai, travelling all over the world for on-site inspections, with a love of expensive shoes and clothes and belonging to a middle-class south Indian family. In fact, she is just like so many women I know; intelligent, independent, loves her family and given to a weakness for the more luxurious materialistic pleasures of life. She gets engaged to her boyfriend and childhood friend in the beginning of the book and the story picks it up from there. She loves her job but she loves art history more and when given a chance to help a client buy a vineyard in Rome, she is unable to say no even at the risk of throwing the spanner into a major family get-together. I loved all the secondary characters in the book as well. Arya's best friend Narina, which I kept reading as Narnia; her boyfriend/fiancee Karthik, a nice Indian boy - the kind you are proud to bring back home; her boss Sandeep, the boss who is your friend until the day he decides he isn't; the client's representative Vikram Malhotra, bossy and with that hustle of a true Indian businessman with flashes of a deeper intelligence than given credit for; her father, who is just as lovable as most dad's are; and even the very eccentric Malama, the indolent household help. I thought the descriptions of her very broad-minded south Indian family were beautifully executed and very spot-on and again reminiscent of people and households I have known, including the cooking frenzy that takes over at family gatherings and the brightly colored silk sarees.
And the vineyards. The descriptions of the vineyards they visit, of the wine-making techniques and of the different types of wines from the different regions are in themselves worthy of classifying this book as a travelogue for aspiring world travelers. The author manages to capture the spirit of the people who have been doing this for centuries and translate it seamlessly into the web of her narrative. One should read the book just for the wonderful descriptions of the locales and the wine-making industry in Italy. It seems a bit unfair and restrictive to classify it as Chick-lit when it is so much more. A travelogue, an Indian story and women's lit all rolled into one.
I like the author's crisp narrative style and the lack of pretentiousness in the story. She has refused to succumb to the 'template' of a novel for young Indian adults and has given us a story that is as whimsical as a fairy tale but is also something that can plausibly happen to a middle-class Indian girl. Arya's character is that of a likable, serious person with a dreamer hidden inside. She is a bit too sensitive and easily overwhelmed at times, but then being a pampered child will do that to you I guess.
We are introduced to the heroine of the tale, Arya (lovely name by the way), an investment banker with a degree in art history, living in Mumbai, travelling all over the world for on-site inspections, with a love of expensive shoes and clothes and belonging to a middle-class south Indian family. In fact, she is just like so many women I know; intelligent, independent, loves her family and given to a weakness for the more luxurious materialistic pleasures of life. She gets engaged to her boyfriend and childhood friend in the beginning of the book and the story picks it up from there. She loves her job but she loves art history more and when given a chance to help a client buy a vineyard in Rome, she is unable to say no even at the risk of throwing the spanner into a major family get-together. I loved all the secondary characters in the book as well. Arya's best friend Narina, which I kept reading as Narnia; her boyfriend/fiancee Karthik, a nice Indian boy - the kind you are proud to bring back home; her boss Sandeep, the boss who is your friend until the day he decides he isn't; the client's representative Vikram Malhotra, bossy and with that hustle of a true Indian businessman with flashes of a deeper intelligence than given credit for; her father, who is just as lovable as most dad's are; and even the very eccentric Malama, the indolent household help. I thought the descriptions of her very broad-minded south Indian family were beautifully executed and very spot-on and again reminiscent of people and households I have known, including the cooking frenzy that takes over at family gatherings and the brightly colored silk sarees.
And the vineyards. The descriptions of the vineyards they visit, of the wine-making techniques and of the different types of wines from the different regions are in themselves worthy of classifying this book as a travelogue for aspiring world travelers. The author manages to capture the spirit of the people who have been doing this for centuries and translate it seamlessly into the web of her narrative. One should read the book just for the wonderful descriptions of the locales and the wine-making industry in Italy. It seems a bit unfair and restrictive to classify it as Chick-lit when it is so much more. A travelogue, an Indian story and women's lit all rolled into one.
I like the author's crisp narrative style and the lack of pretentiousness in the story. She has refused to succumb to the 'template' of a novel for young Indian adults and has given us a story that is as whimsical as a fairy tale but is also something that can plausibly happen to a middle-class Indian girl. Arya's character is that of a likable, serious person with a dreamer hidden inside. She is a bit too sensitive and easily overwhelmed at times, but then being a pampered child will do that to you I guess.
January 7, 2015
I thought almost all the characters, except Ishaan, were like straight out of some hilarious movie. Ayra herself was likable. From being horribly insecure and confused, she did quite well as a free independent, investment banker. Uber cool Karthik managing a band was the perfect bachelor. I liked every member of Ayra’s big south Indian family, especially Mangama who moved in and out of the rooms like the elf in the Harry Potter movies. Though one of the lead I didn’t like Ishaan- the quintessential bay boy millionaire. Celio was unique- the proud vintner whom Ishaan had hired to find the perfect vintage vineyard glory. Friend Narina, boss Sandeep, and the cat Nila were good side characters.
The part in South India where Ayra’s family makes elaborate preparations and rituals for meeting her future in laws over dinner was interesting. The sights, smells of a south Indian kitchen, the view of the herb garden, traditional house and sarees of the women were described well. I also enjoyed reading the searching of perfect vineyard in and around Tuscany, and the harvest episode. The process that the grapes go through before we get wine was so interesting- the pros and cons of every method used. Though a bit difficult to understand I appreciated the wine dynamics, site seeing details, the reports, politics and procedures involved in the wine business. I learnt quite a few Italian words too. Though I’m not very satisfied with the ending, this book has left me longing to visit vineyards in person; take part in the harvesting, traditional wine making and tasting process feeling the best velvety texture of the wine; dine in ‘The Bald Rabbit’; and witness the alchemy or magic that the traditional makers believe wine making is.
http://pratikshya-magicmoments.blogsp...
The part in South India where Ayra’s family makes elaborate preparations and rituals for meeting her future in laws over dinner was interesting. The sights, smells of a south Indian kitchen, the view of the herb garden, traditional house and sarees of the women were described well. I also enjoyed reading the searching of perfect vineyard in and around Tuscany, and the harvest episode. The process that the grapes go through before we get wine was so interesting- the pros and cons of every method used. Though a bit difficult to understand I appreciated the wine dynamics, site seeing details, the reports, politics and procedures involved in the wine business. I learnt quite a few Italian words too. Though I’m not very satisfied with the ending, this book has left me longing to visit vineyards in person; take part in the harvesting, traditional wine making and tasting process feeling the best velvety texture of the wine; dine in ‘The Bald Rabbit’; and witness the alchemy or magic that the traditional makers believe wine making is.
http://pratikshya-magicmoments.blogsp...
January 18, 2015
Welcome to Arya�s life. Arya, who dreams of becoming an
Art Historian but is an investment banker instead. She is
successfully juggling her family, her career and her long
distant boyfriend. While her family wants her to get
married off with her boyfriend, and both the families
decide to meet, Arya takes off on a short trip to Tuscany
to buy a wineyard for a star client. It was supposed to be
a short hassle free trip that turned into something more.
Dodgy dealings and a playboy interested to taste more
than just wine is thrown into the mix. So, will Arya�s life
ever settle down and will she find happiness in it?
Italy is the top thing on my bucket list. I want to visit that
country so bad! So I pick up any chance to know more
about it � whether through a book or through a movie and
that was the main reason I decided to pick this one up.
After, Rome, Venice and Milan, Tuscany is also a place I
would dearly love to visit for its beautiful landscape and
awesome vineyards. Set in the backdrop of Tuscany, the
author gives us a tour of the city through her work.
Arya is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent,
ambitious and secret desires, she is living the life of her to
its fullest irrespective of all the compromises she had to
make. She is like majority of the people, both men and
women included, when it comes to her career. She is
obviously stuck in one underpaid job while her heart
wants something else on the whole. Ishaan adds colour
and flavor to her life. Both hating each other from the
beginning, their bantering is entertaining. I also loved
Arya�s friend and family who provide a certain amount of
stability to her life.
While the plot is obviously predictable, the author
captures the readers� attention with her narration style,
simple language and a deep look at Tuscany and its
numerous vineyards.
Art Historian but is an investment banker instead. She is
successfully juggling her family, her career and her long
distant boyfriend. While her family wants her to get
married off with her boyfriend, and both the families
decide to meet, Arya takes off on a short trip to Tuscany
to buy a wineyard for a star client. It was supposed to be
a short hassle free trip that turned into something more.
Dodgy dealings and a playboy interested to taste more
than just wine is thrown into the mix. So, will Arya�s life
ever settle down and will she find happiness in it?
Italy is the top thing on my bucket list. I want to visit that
country so bad! So I pick up any chance to know more
about it � whether through a book or through a movie and
that was the main reason I decided to pick this one up.
After, Rome, Venice and Milan, Tuscany is also a place I
would dearly love to visit for its beautiful landscape and
awesome vineyards. Set in the backdrop of Tuscany, the
author gives us a tour of the city through her work.
Arya is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent,
ambitious and secret desires, she is living the life of her to
its fullest irrespective of all the compromises she had to
make. She is like majority of the people, both men and
women included, when it comes to her career. She is
obviously stuck in one underpaid job while her heart
wants something else on the whole. Ishaan adds colour
and flavor to her life. Both hating each other from the
beginning, their bantering is entertaining. I also loved
Arya�s friend and family who provide a certain amount of
stability to her life.
While the plot is obviously predictable, the author
captures the readers� attention with her narration style,
simple language and a deep look at Tuscany and its
numerous vineyards.
June 19, 2017
Well, first things first, I love the name Ayra. Whatever it means, it is indeed brilliant. Her characterization is so realistic that I could see one of my best friends in the way she was portrayed. A typical south-born-confused-northie, Ayra is dating the guy-next-door Karthik (Cliche #1). Ayra loves art and shoes; anyone asking me what is the connection between those two are surely not close to me because I too love art and shoes and that’s all the relation I know. Well, if one might thing that I am ranting over Ayra, wait let me rant about the secondary characters like Ayra’s best friend Narina, which I kept reading as Narnia, just like how I was reading Ayra as Arya; her boyfriend/fiancee Karthik, the boy every mom will love (Read: DDLJ SRK), her boss Sandeep, the boss who I wonder is a friend or her enemy and then I coin that he is her frenemy; her father, who is too lovable to be real (Cliche #2); and most importantly her cute pets. For once the south Indian family of her was not stereotyped like how it usually is, instead the description of family and the customs were said in a subtle and realistic way.
Now, let’s get into something that really caught my eye: the vineyards. Although, I should accept that the vineyard descriptions were kind of boring initially, as the descriptions of the vineyards they visit and the wine-making techniques was elaborated, I got curious. This book can be a mini travelogue if you wanna visit those vineyards. This is the point where the chick-lit turned into a full-fledged, informative novel.
Read the review here: iamstri.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/fade...
Now, let’s get into something that really caught my eye: the vineyards. Although, I should accept that the vineyard descriptions were kind of boring initially, as the descriptions of the vineyards they visit and the wine-making techniques was elaborated, I got curious. This book can be a mini travelogue if you wanna visit those vineyards. This is the point where the chick-lit turned into a full-fledged, informative novel.
Read the review here: iamstri.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/fade...
October 30, 2014
Having just come out of "Little Women" which was a very slow read for me, I was thankful that this book was a sail through (mainly because I'm way behind on my book challenge Ha!).Her writing and story is average. Its a one time read for me.
When reading this book, I feared that this Indian chick flick would have a Bollywood ending, I can see the author's efforts to try and avoid this, but alas, the ending was "meh".
Although her sense of humor was not that bad actually, she tried an Indian "Devil wears Prada" attempt. But I don't know the story didn't have enough meat, omph, magic in it, and she could try and improve her writing style.
The author tries to create the life of a career oriented Indian girl, that juggled a relationship over a very busy work schedule. Having been in her shoes for almost 8 years, I could sort of feel what she went through. But isn't that how it is with everyone now a days, don't we all have work life issues?
So I don't understand why Ayra should solely be held responsible for any relationship problems? Its either that or her boyfriend just has more idle time! The author could have given the main character more of a spine to justify that getting a job is one and keeping it is another and that too a finance career in a place like India!!! Grhhhh!!!!
When reading this book, I feared that this Indian chick flick would have a Bollywood ending, I can see the author's efforts to try and avoid this, but alas, the ending was "meh".
Although her sense of humor was not that bad actually, she tried an Indian "Devil wears Prada" attempt. But I don't know the story didn't have enough meat, omph, magic in it, and she could try and improve her writing style.
The author tries to create the life of a career oriented Indian girl, that juggled a relationship over a very busy work schedule. Having been in her shoes for almost 8 years, I could sort of feel what she went through. But isn't that how it is with everyone now a days, don't we all have work life issues?
So I don't understand why Ayra should solely be held responsible for any relationship problems? Its either that or her boyfriend just has more idle time! The author could have given the main character more of a spine to justify that getting a job is one and keeping it is another and that too a finance career in a place like India!!! Grhhhh!!!!
October 24, 2014
The story starts with the intro of a Tamilian girl, Ayra working as an investment banker in Mumbai. After getting engaged to Kartik,her childhood friend-present lover she goes to Tuscany for buying a vineyard for a millionaire client.
There she meets Ishaan Malhotra, a young scion of millionaire family. After few liking and disliking incidents between Ayra & Ishaan, they end up in smooching.
While feeling remorseful for kissing other than Kartik,continuous tragedies hit Ayra. Despite saving client from buying an unprofitable vineyard, She reaches the brink of losing her job. And when she returns India Kartik breaks up with her.
The remaining story is narrated vividly how Ayra recovers from her devastating tragedies and how she uderstands the importance of enjoyment, family in life over money.
Author,Reshma K.Barshikar has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic in the search of money and also some interesting facts about vineyards and wine making.
There she meets Ishaan Malhotra, a young scion of millionaire family. After few liking and disliking incidents between Ayra & Ishaan, they end up in smooching.
While feeling remorseful for kissing other than Kartik,continuous tragedies hit Ayra. Despite saving client from buying an unprofitable vineyard, She reaches the brink of losing her job. And when she returns India Kartik breaks up with her.
The remaining story is narrated vividly how Ayra recovers from her devastating tragedies and how she uderstands the importance of enjoyment, family in life over money.
Author,Reshma K.Barshikar has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic in the search of money and also some interesting facts about vineyards and wine making.
December 26, 2015
Somehow, the book had me at its cover. It wasn't anything unusual and zany, but it did capture my interest. Now, on to the story.
Ayra is the protagonist. She wanted to be an art historian, but alas this cruel life, she also has a thing for expensive things. Money can buy happiness, and she ends up as an investment banker, vying for a bonus, with a frustrated boyfriend who competed with her blackberry for her attention. She still harbors an undying appreciation for art. She is crippled at photography. And she isn't confrontational. Then we have the ever-smirking playboy in the picture too.
The situation created has a lot of potential for hilarity, but I got less than I expected. I'd say the author has a gift for creating a plot. And although it eventually descended into a cliche, it was fun while it lasted. Even after so much, we rarely get to read stories of women investment bankers now.
I liked the characters. I liked the setting. I liked the story.
But somehow, somehow (and I am still trying to figure out why) I didn't enjoy the book.
Ayra is the protagonist. She wanted to be an art historian, but alas this cruel life, she also has a thing for expensive things. Money can buy happiness, and she ends up as an investment banker, vying for a bonus, with a frustrated boyfriend who competed with her blackberry for her attention. She still harbors an undying appreciation for art. She is crippled at photography. And she isn't confrontational. Then we have the ever-smirking playboy in the picture too.
The situation created has a lot of potential for hilarity, but I got less than I expected. I'd say the author has a gift for creating a plot. And although it eventually descended into a cliche, it was fun while it lasted. Even after so much, we rarely get to read stories of women investment bankers now.
I liked the characters. I liked the setting. I liked the story.
But somehow, somehow (and I am still trying to figure out why) I didn't enjoy the book.
January 8, 2015
Just like wine lovers swear by Chianti, book lovers swear by good language. Even before the plot and situations, Reshma K Barshikar’s words caught my attention. Free flowing, smooth and rich like a good wine. Scooping up much of her own experiences of touring Italy, Reshma has put up a beautiful backdrop for her protagonist Ayra.
It’s a taut, nice novel, with probably a tad too corporate jargon at times. Recommended not only to Romance readers, do read if you love Italy in any way.
2015 for me began on a lighter, spicier and fruitier note. Salute!
Read the full review here: http://oneandahalfminutes.com/2015/01...
It’s a taut, nice novel, with probably a tad too corporate jargon at times. Recommended not only to Romance readers, do read if you love Italy in any way.
2015 for me began on a lighter, spicier and fruitier note. Salute!
Read the full review here: http://oneandahalfminutes.com/2015/01...
September 19, 2015
I got this book for doing the review but I was actually reading this even after I read it completely and review it on my blog here: http://www.finixpost.com/fade-into-red/
Even now, I have this placed on my study table because I want to read the book all over again. I must accept that the story isn't that interesting that one would go on and read it again and again but the way the author has written this book is certainly interesting. Description of various scenes, wines, vineyards... it was all so magical.
I think I can go on and on if it comes to praising this book. It is definitely a good book. I would say you would enjoy the words more than the story. I loved it.
Even now, I have this placed on my study table because I want to read the book all over again. I must accept that the story isn't that interesting that one would go on and read it again and again but the way the author has written this book is certainly interesting. Description of various scenes, wines, vineyards... it was all so magical.
I think I can go on and on if it comes to praising this book. It is definitely a good book. I would say you would enjoy the words more than the story. I loved it.
September 14, 2014
Full review: http://antorjatikbangali.wordpress.co...
I wasn’t expecting much from the book Fade into Red by Reshma K. Barshikar when I started reading it, and I am happy that it has not been a disappointment. It was a good change of taste from the thrillers and political biographies I have been reading of late.
I wasn’t expecting much from the book Fade into Red by Reshma K. Barshikar when I started reading it, and I am happy that it has not been a disappointment. It was a good change of taste from the thrillers and political biographies I have been reading of late.
February 2, 2015
Read the Complete Review: http://wp.me/p2J8yh-2Kj
What I liked:
+ Strong main character
+ Simple, yet (for the most part) engaging narration
+ Setting, and it’s descriptions
+ Believability
+ Cover design
What I didn’t like:
- The two male protagonists
- At times, jarring narration
It’s a simple, light read, but more than just a romance or chick-lit.
What I liked:
+ Strong main character
+ Simple, yet (for the most part) engaging narration
+ Setting, and it’s descriptions
+ Believability
+ Cover design
What I didn’t like:
- The two male protagonists
- At times, jarring narration
It’s a simple, light read, but more than just a romance or chick-lit.
January 10, 2015
A book which will not make you bored. Fade into red will completely hook you till the end. An Interesting and realistic read which ended with a hope.
Full review:http://www.himanipassion.com/book-rev...
Full review:http://www.himanipassion.com/book-rev...
August 7, 2014
It was a different, nice and interesting read!
Read the full review on my blog: http://tarangsinha.blogspot.in/2014/0...
Read the full review on my blog: http://tarangsinha.blogspot.in/2014/0...
November 14, 2014
Read my review of the book here:
http://loadstoread.wordpress.com/2014...
http://loadstoread.wordpress.com/2014...
January 7, 2015
Apart from the first few pages, I loved reading the book. Check my review here
http://icecandy16blog.wordpress.com/2...
http://icecandy16blog.wordpress.com/2...
September 10, 2020
This one of those books that makes us feel good and fresh.the plot follows Ayra Krishnamurthy (not a cliche name)who is an investment banker from south India working in Mumbai, she has a promising career, boyfriend, and future, but her passion really is art history the topic in which she majored from college .she is sent to a last-minute trip to Tuscany to assist The Malhotras in buying a vineyard.this is the part where it gets a bit cliched. Ayra knows that her client is a billionaire, playboy and the future of the Malhotra business empire who recently had been a huge success with his venture in vine making, but she has no idea about how he looks and quite naturally she bumps into him while visiting The Pieta by Michelangelo and they flirt (how charming! agh). His name is Ishaan and we are always in a hard place on whether we should like him or not. After a series of events, she finds herself attracted to Ishaan and has a brief moment of pleasure with him. This is where things get a bit messy she finds that the specialist Ishaan hired for expert opinion on vineyards s actually working with his uncle Vikram in a plan of making Ishaan fail. Ayra stops the deal from happening thereby getting herself fired( or we thought she did). Upon reaching home her childhood sweetheart, long time boyfriend /best friend breaks up with her (for reasons that are quite reasonable, she is unavailable and distant when he needs her the most and that she took the easy way out by choosing to marry him). And then things fall into pieces, she gets her job back with the whole firm rooting for her (as she unearthed a scam), but she decides to quit and follow her passion instead where she might find her prince charming too.
The author literally takes us through the countryside of Tuscany, the work is filled with pop culture references and it gets difficult at times to follow for those who aren't familiar with say Barney Stinson or Heathcliff or Francesca from under the Tuscan sun. The authors language is splendid and she proves she isnt just another indian author who has a love story to tell ,The books start with a good pace but then slows down with the description of Tuscany and after the first 200 pages the book picks up pace and ends in a promising note
The author literally takes us through the countryside of Tuscany, the work is filled with pop culture references and it gets difficult at times to follow for those who aren't familiar with say Barney Stinson or Heathcliff or Francesca from under the Tuscan sun. The authors language is splendid and she proves she isnt just another indian author who has a love story to tell ,The books start with a good pace but then slows down with the description of Tuscany and after the first 200 pages the book picks up pace and ends in a promising note
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
Here is a book that the young, multinational, globetrotting, working professional will relate with. 'Fade Into Red' is a lovely book based on the life story of an independent woman who is passionate about art history and is a banker by profession. She thinks her life is just perfect with the perfect job until she embarks on a journey which takes her to Tuscany as part of her job but it completely changes her life. For good.
Reshma has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic in the search of money and how she highlights the importance of family. The narration is crisp, and a touch of humour adds some spice.
The story deals about finding one’s true calling, friendship, following one’s passion, office politics, etc. This book is a chick-lit but far better than the mushy ones. This book has everything in right proportions.
A travelogue, an Indian story, a romance and women’s lit all rolled into one. Definitely recommended! Give it a shot if you like reading light, entertaining fiction! In all, a nice read with enough high points.
Full review here: https://intheclassroomoflife.blogspot...
Reshma has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic in the search of money and how she highlights the importance of family. The narration is crisp, and a touch of humour adds some spice.
The story deals about finding one’s true calling, friendship, following one’s passion, office politics, etc. This book is a chick-lit but far better than the mushy ones. This book has everything in right proportions.
A travelogue, an Indian story, a romance and women’s lit all rolled into one. Definitely recommended! Give it a shot if you like reading light, entertaining fiction! In all, a nice read with enough high points.
Full review here: https://intheclassroomoflife.blogspot...
March 26, 2018
I really liked Ayra's charater. So strong, fierce and practical. Each character seemed to be from a real world to me. No filmy things were happening and no useless drama. Kartik's character touched me with its realistic approach in life and taught me many things. Apart from characters, I thoroughly enjoyed wines, wineyards Tuscan hills and Rome. There is quite justifying space used for locations which I loved. All the places were written beautifully. Plotting of the characters and their development with story was really engrossing to me.
There was short period of time in the middle of the story where I felt its little stretched and felt like "please make quick now". So could have been better.
Recommendations to: All those who have read craps in the name of Romance book and those who are looking for reading a realistic love story and also who wants to read about wines and Rome.
There was short period of time in the middle of the story where I felt its little stretched and felt like "please make quick now". So could have been better.
Recommendations to: All those who have read craps in the name of Romance book and those who are looking for reading a realistic love story and also who wants to read about wines and Rome.
October 12, 2015
Link to the Book Review at ALOP
In the words of Nimue, "Reshma has given a wonderful sense of humor and wit to Arya, sarcasm and charms to Ishaan and so much credibility to the family and friends. The book kept me smiling and engaged till the last line."
RATING: 4 Stars
In the words of Nimue, "Reshma has given a wonderful sense of humor and wit to Arya, sarcasm and charms to Ishaan and so much credibility to the family and friends. The book kept me smiling and engaged till the last line."
RATING: 4 Stars
January 2, 2016
Wow!!! And I thought Indian authors could not write!!!
Wow! Wow! Wow!!
Loved this light frothy book!!
Wow! Wow! Wow!!
Loved this light frothy book!!
March 9, 2018
I really liked Ayra's charater. So strong, fierce and practical. Each character seemed to be from a real world to me. No filmy things were happening and no useless drama. Kartik's character touched me with its realistic approach in life and taught me many things. Apart from characters, I thoroughly enjoyed wines, wineyards Tuscan hills and Rome. There is quite justifying space used for loactions which I loved. All the places were written beautifully. Plotting of the characters and their development with story was really engrossing to me.
There was short period of time in the middle of the story where I felt its little stretched and felt like "please make quick now". So could have been better.
Recommendations to: All those who have read craps in the name of Romance book and those who are looking for reading a realistic love story and also who wants to read about wines and Rome.
There was short period of time in the middle of the story where I felt its little stretched and felt like "please make quick now". So could have been better.
Recommendations to: All those who have read craps in the name of Romance book and those who are looking for reading a realistic love story and also who wants to read about wines and Rome.
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