Superstar India: From Incredible To Unstoppable by Shobhaa De: Book review (NaBloPoMo Post 19)

“This is a story about India. My India. It is a very personal story. You see, I’m exactly as old as India is.”, writes Shobhaa De in the beginning of what is a run of the mill account of her view of today’s India.

I for one picked up the book for its theme, to check for myself what she has to say. This is the most done-to-death theme right now… from Slumdog to White Tiger.

I have never read any of De’s books before; only read her columns sporadically.This is her first book that I decided to give a perusal, and I must say, I’m disappointed. The book hops from one topic to another without making a point. The economic miracle, Indian cultural values, grand Indian weddings, poverty, sex, male chauvinism, Mumbai’s amazing spirit, the author writes on it all, without staying on a topic long enough or articulately enough to create an impression. There is nothing new she has to tell. We have read it all so many times – problems concerning India: the growing divide between the affluent and the underprivileged and similar stuff.

However, in the author’s defense, I would say that it’s all fun. The writing style is easy and smooth. Read it only if you have nothing better to do.