The Secret Wish List

That is the title of a book I read recently. I am not going to list out anything that is apparently 'secret'. The book is written by Preeti Shenoy, an Indian writer and blogger. I got interested in the book through her blog (http://justamotheroftwo.blogspot.in/).



The book narrates the story of a young and lively Indian teenager. It shows how just one incident can change your entire life. Disha is a 16year old who belongs to a typical Indian middle class family. The setting is initially in Chennai and then shifts to Bangalore where Disha leads her married life. Chennai is shown as a conservative city where women and especially young girls have to conform to the established norms of the society. I am not sure if Disha is Tamilian but she surely seems south-Indian. Her married life in Bangalore seems idyllic from the outside. But is she really happy? Disha goes through a lot of tribulations in finding the things and the people she really cares about in her life. It is a positive book and all for the modern woman of India. And yet I have a few reservations about the story.


I think the good points about the story is that it is completely Indian in its setting, plot and characters. Many Indian women can relate to various scenes described very well by the author. Yet, you do get the feeling that things have been simplified too much. I agree that everyone has the potential to do well and it all comes down to finding out what motivates a person. But when  you finish the book, you are left with the feeling that everything that is sensual is described as being good. Life is not always that simple.

A conservative place does not mean people are narrow minded. And all the symbols of globalisation cannot guarantee individual freedom and independence. The Delhi rape case is the best example. Would this have happened in Chennai? I don't think so. 'The Secret Wish List' begins well but ends like a romance novel where the heroine (even though simple and nice looking) finally gets her dream hero (rich and dashing). So you are left feeling a little disappointed. I think I would say that it is a good piece of modern Indian romantic fiction.