Mala Dasgupta is in the midst of a love affair. A love affair with life. And it certainly looks like life is loving her back. Mala's memoir is more bubbly than the best vintage champagne. She always looks on the bright side of life. Her glass is forever half full. It's never going to be half empty. This memoir records her journey of self-fulfillment.
This book is not written as a catharsis for the author herself but more as a self-help guide to the pessimists of this world (of which I am staunchly one!) to get their act together and move forwards - onwards and upwards - to a place where every cloud has a silver lining. Written with joyful exuberance the prose envelops the reader in well-being and hope.

When reading the description, I didn't realise how much this book would resonate with me. I am a half Indian half English woman living in London, and I haven't had the opportunity to visit India in many years, thanks in part to the pandemic. The descriptions of Mira's travel in India and love of Hyderabad really shone through and was a joy to read. My family is from Goa, and so I was very happy to see my motherland make an appearance in this book. And of course, Mira's contemplations of Juxtaposition during her travels in Kerala really spoke to me, as I am myself a juxtaposition of India and Europe.

The idea that faith and belief does not have to be inherently religious is of course well known, but quotes like "Living in faith is believing that no two days will be the same, but you know that you can handle things with patience and grace" brought the concept to life in a non cliche way. In fact, I learnt a great many lessons from Mira, this book felt like an older auntie passing on wisdom to me. In particular, the importance of choices and finding your life's purpose will stay with me for a long time.

I actually found myself not caring about Dev that much. Together they had a true partnership, which i did enjoy, but obviously, my bond as a reader was with Mira fully, and if she ended up on her own at the end for whatever reason, it wouldn't have dampened my enjoyment of the story. In fact, i did share Mrs. Martin's worry that Mira was acting at the cost of her own happiness. But then again, i've never been married. Watching her motivations, desires and values evolve and change throughout her life felt very natural, especially her want and need to help people reach their potential. I've seen people in my life change careers into teaching and medicine for this very reason.

I thought the biographical style of the narrative was well done, but i found myself running out of steam slightly towards the end. More importantly though, I feel like I've had a life coaching session with Mira, and I feel like I want to improve myself. I also instantly want to go back to India and connect with my roots.

I would highly suggest that this book is added to Storygraph so that it can reach a wider audience!