Discuss: First Thoughts

[Joanna]

A Bollywood Affair is our February Online Book Club book. Has anyone started it yet? If so, what do you think so far?

I admit, I'm only about five chapters in but so far I'm liking it. One of the reasons I'm happy this book got picked is because it's written from a worldview that is distinct from my own. We have a character who is perfectly content and happy to accept a marriage from when she was a child. If this had been me, I would be fighting tooth and nail. But that's my western worldview. I know romance will happen and views will change, but I like seeing the world through different eyes at the moment.

Let us know what your first thoughts are!

[Ingrid]

I haven’t read it yet, but I am intrigued!

[Kayzee]

I voted for this one because I figure if I was going to read something from a genre I'm not usually into I wanted something that could give me a different world view and show a different culture as well. I'm only a few chapters in and I am finding it interesting. Particularly the lasting effects that a stern and abusive head family figure can have over the characters' lives (both the boys' grandfather and our lead's grandmother).

This is also the first time I'm reading a book on audio so it's a new experience. I wonder if that was a good idea since there are many Hindi(Urdu?) terms used and the book and I miss some of the references where as if I had a written text I could probably just Google them and figure it out.

[Ann]

I'm on the fourth chapter, and so far it's interesting. Can't wait to see what happens next. :)

[Joanna]

Ann wrote: "I'm on the fourth chapter, and so far it's interesting. Can't wait to see what happens next. :)"

It kept my interest way more than I was anticipating. Can't wait to hear your thoughts when you get to the end.

Kayzee wrote: "I voted for this one because I figure if I was going to read something from a genre I'm not usually into I wanted something that could give me a different world view and show a different culture as..."

Agreed. I'm too used to sticking to what's familiar so it was nice to be forced to read something that was a little outside those lines.

It was interesting to watch how the character dynamics were influenced by the grandfather. Some of those more familiar tropes (evil stepmother to mistress' child; "real" son vs. bastard) were flipped. Those bonds were strengthened and enforced in part, I think, from how abusive he was.

I can see how the audiobook would be a bit difficult. Some of the words get explained but it's almost a blink and miss it deal.

[Melissa]

I am enjoying the book so far, although there are definitely some scenes that I was glad I was wearing headphones to listen since my youngest daughter was in the room. I actually think that listening to the audiobook has helped me to be able to keep track of the places and names that are unfamiliar to me. I often choose the audiobook version for books that are from other cultures or countries. I was surprised that Millie wasn't upset about the childhood marriage, but after awhile I was able to put myself in her shoes and see just how different her upbringing was from my own experience. I look forward to finishing the story.