Book Review: Vigil Aunties
Book Name: Vigil Aunties
Author: Richa S Mukherjee
Publisher: Black Ink
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Paperback
Print Length: 368
Rating: 4.5/5
Vigil Aunties by Richa S Mukherjee is a contemporary fiction that challenges societal norms and offers social commentary on issues like women's safety and empowerment.
Blurb
Secrets, saris, humour and drama! This is one vigil you don’t want to miss
Sixteen-year-old Philadelphia aka Philly Waghmare’s carefully curated life revolves around the SAT. The most exciting thing that happens in the crumbling old society she calls home is the weekly meet-up between her mother, Varsha, and her motley group of society aunties.
Nothing really changes here—except one day when everything does!
A shocking incident leads Philly to trail Tarun Adhikari, the hotshot father of her best friend, Naina. During this quest, her world turns turtle as she not only discovers that her sweet, sanskari mother is the head of a secret society of women, but that this group might be responsible for the disappearance of a rogue named Ratan Tamancha, whom the police is looking for.
A game of cats, mice and wits commences as Bharatendu Bandopadhyay, a most unusual investigator, shows up asking questions.
Is this secret society of harmless aunties responsible for taking a life?
Will Philly be able to prevent her mother from going to jail?
Will this be the end of the road for the vigil-aunties?
Review
Vigil Aunties by Richa S Mukherjee features Adhunik Vikas Cooperative Society and its residents, portraying people from different walks of life, including a workaholic parent, a gossipmonger, a snobbish soul, an overprotective mother, a woman friends group, and many more characters for reader's light to navigate through the society compounds taking into their houses and offering a roller coaster ride of emotions from laughter, stress, anxiety setting the tone of the book as light-hearted and relatable to read.
More often or not, the characters will remind readers of their relatives or friends. They appear so resonating that readers would catch themselves being part of the story. Philly, a kid about to turn seventeen, is a prodigy child for her parents, who reflect courage, love, and confidence and, not to forget, did the narration. The women's circle portrays women's empowerment and courage to cross every limit for women's safety. After all, everyone deserves a safe place to live. The overall character development is in-depth, resonating, and quirky.
The author's writing style is engaging, witty and gripping. From balancing emotions, seriousness, and laughter, she skillfully manages to keep the reader's attention even when there are guessable moments. Being a light-hearted read, it grabs the attention of readers from different age groups. The author precisely maintains the pace keeping the twists and turns intact. Though ordinary women are the role models in this book, the story does not glorify feminism, rather it talks about unrealistic expectations of society from women.
Blending humor and mystery to explore heavy themes like women's safety and glorifying the value of female friendship together makes this book a perfect read, and someone in a reading slump will definitely find his way through books after reading this masterpiece. It is a must-read to have a burst of laughter.
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