Bringing Up Vasu: That First Year

bringing up Vasu was a complete eye opener as far as the modern Indian writer goes. After a series of books from modern Indian writers who only write about our roots, purani dilli and the social diaspora and the like bringing up vasu comes as a pleasant surprise. the narrative is innovative, though simply narrated but nonetheless well crafted.

though some may feel but that vasu remains an ideal read only for young mothers and the likes but that is exactly where the writer scores. she has manged a narrative that works in multiple layers. outwardly if seen the book is a a simple journey of an urban mother trying to bring up her child but if probed further it is a light mockery (definitely not malicious) about the social insecurities that the urban upper middle class has to do deal with. it is a slice of life narrative that truly remains loyal to the age, locale and generation that it seeks to represent. as far the protagonist mira is concerned some may feel that mira tends to complain, whine for really no reason at all. after all, some may choose to argue the world is fraught with bigger problems than a fleeing maid! but that is exactly where vasu again magaes to strike a chord with so many of us. the women of toady seeks to perfect. be it her work, her marriage and definitely the one who is from her gene pool!!! what mira worries about is exactly what so many of us spend sleepless nights about.

for a first time author Sharma has definitely proved a point, that she can tell a story and how!

As an avid reader i can make a definite statement about vasu that it is one of those books that can be read and enjoyed in one go. it is definitely a book that cannot be kept down.

Bringing up vasu is a delightful read and an accomplishment for first time author Parul Sharma. The story is well narrated and it just flows. The characters seem very real and yet dramatic at times.

Mira, the protagonist of vasu is well etched and she can be one of our friends or uncannily enough, maybe the reader herself :) I think that vasu has the same quality that the blog created by the author does i.e. it is light hearted, witty and even the most mundane day to day incidents are narrated in a fashion that adds humour to it.

Contrary to the title, Vasu is not a book about a child and the mother who is raising the said child. It is a witty, light hearted narrative about perils of motherhood. It is a gentle reminder that however much we may google motherhood, raid the book shops empty as far as child rearing books go; still every baby with his or her unique qualities will have the parents on their toes! And at the end of the day when afore mentioned parents are dead tired to even wonder why they did this in the first place the off spring will do something as basic as sneeze, yawn or just smile and everything seems worth the effort. Bringing up vasu has managed to retain that spirit via its story telling. bringing up vasu is a must read for us all. A book that can evoke such an emotion in a reader has surely achieved its goal and can be trusted that the readers will be waiting for more.

Author Parul Sharma’s first attempt at writing has reminded me of the movie Hyderabad Blues, Nagesh Kukunoor’s directorial debut. Both tell earnest tales which tickle and entertain. Simple in the story they tell, both Parul and Nagesh were able to bring home one simple truth for me – that a good, earnest story told simply, funnily, and as we all see it, works!

Parul’s strength clearly lies in her ability to write clean, unadulterated humour – something which has become such a rare commodity off late. While the caricatures help the story, I can’t wait for her to get me laughing out aloud (which I did several times as I read this) without being over the top.

Having seen Nagesh Kukunoor graduate from being a first-time director (complete with Hyderabad Blues appearing to be a movie shot with a handycam, with poor visuals etc) to becoming one of India’s most consummate story-tellers, I can’t wait to see how Parul matures as a writer.

Hilarious and witty, the characters in this book share with you that one year of their lives which is filled with turmoil, fun and love associated with the arrival of a new born..Author Parul Sharma's writing is definitely humorous and a must read for all ages!

Like most other bloggers turned authors, this book too is based on ideas/posts from the blog. So, if you have been reading the blog, it doesnt offer anything new. However, the sense of humor definitely saves the day!