Book Review # 151 Strange As It May Seem : Chitrangada Mukherjee

Blurb:

Trishna is an innocent, sheltered girl, living with her grandmother, Mrs.Binodini Chatterjee. Unaware of the outside world and its cruel ways, she is happy to be in the world of dreams and books.
Darvesh is a shrewd money-lender focussed only on what would give him the best returns. Hard-hearted and ruthless, Darvesh knows no love other than the love for money.
What happens to their relationship forged entirely for mutual benefit? Does it become a lifelong one or does it scar and change them forever?

My Take:

A refreshing love story. A different set up. Not the usual boy meet girl, falls in love and they live happily ever after kind ,but more subtle, more real. The characters here connect and they have a story that defines their personality.

Trisha is naive, yet polished, untouched by the realities of the world yet aware of things happening around her, sheltered yet independent, she is strong and her strength is her ability to take things at their face value. A streak that is complex yet refreshing that makes her more real and acceptable.

Darvesh is what the situation made him to be. He's learned life the hard way and values money the most courtesy his background and life earlier.That defines his character, real, a bit selfish and with grey streaks. Something we all have and would relate to.

Binodini the matriach has been etched well and the layers added to this character is what I loved the most. An aura is created around her and she is smart to read minds.She is Trisha's protector her shield.

What happens when Trisha decides to come out of her sheltered life and make a decision that can shatter her beliefs? Will Binodini be able to shield her as always? Darvesh, would he understand and respect his feelings? or would he be the shrewd money lender? Read the book to find out.

The narration is simple, crisp and holds the story well. I would recommend this to all romance lovers.

I would rate this 4.5/5