Author: Riva Razdan
Publisher: Hachette India
What was that moment in your life when you realized
your true calling?
Arzu by Riva Razdan is a coming-of-age-story of
Arzu Agarwal, set in the year 1991 when India was on the cusp of history, and
opening up for foreign investment for the very first time. While a move set to
benefit millions, for the wealthiest families in India it is a move that brings
uncertainty for the empires they created. In Bombay, Arzu is facing a dilemma.
Daughter of a newspaper mogul, she is concerned about the affections of her
millionaire boyfriend before the talk of liberalization changes his mind. When things
are a bit rocky, her decision to extend an innocent gesture goes horribly wrong
and she escapes to New York City with her aunt, whose only agenda is to fix her
up with a suitable boy, while her independence in New York sets her up on a
path of her own. The question, however, is, will Arzu be able to discover the
way to become the heroine of her own story, and get out of the shadows of the
men in her life?
The plot of the book has been well thought
with details about Arzu's life, justifying her actions. The story is quite
interesting as it traces Arzu’s journey as she finds her identity through the
course of one year. I loved the fact how Riva has equated the growth in the
Indian economy in 1991 with that of the protagonist, and the milestones coincide
more than once. Another thing that is interesting about the story is the manner in
which it is told, and how Arzu was shown to be living in a cocoon and how she
emerges as a butterfly, which also jumps out from the cover once you finish the
book. Riva has captured the essence of the superfluous nature of the people
from the upper echelons, and how appearances are more important to them, as
compared to actual comfort and emotions, which is evident in more ways than
one. The language of the book is easy to comprehend, and paints a wonderful
picture of the events as they occur. The climax of the story was quite
interesting, and while one aspect of it was expected, the other was not, and I
think this was the best thing about the entire story.
Coming to the characters, Arzu Meera Agarwal
impressed me because of the confidence she exuded from the very first time we
meet, and her clarity on what she wanted from life. She was crafted as a woman
who was self-sufficient, and wanted a partner who was an equal, and not just a
companion. Even in her pursuit of the same, we see she leaves no stone
unturned, and this is what makes her Arzu achievable. Another character who
stood out for me was Siddhant because he complimented Arzu in many ways, and
added a flavor to the story that made it enjoyable. His presence was quite fleeting
as compared to other characters like Parul Bua, or Rohit, but he managed to stand
out because of his simplicity, and the emotion of being there for Arzu, without
asking for anything else. As for the
other characters, Ajit was also impressive, and the scene from the wedding was
truly inspired.
Overall, Arzu is a refreshing coming-of-age
story that takes an interesting idea and explores an aspect of the namesake
that will not just entertain the reader, but might just inspire them to take a
step towards their dream, and grab them.
A definite recommendation which scores a 4.44/5 for me.
Grab a copy of the book here.
The review is a part of the Book Tour for Arzu.
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