Bala Takes the Plunge

This is a fun novel written by debut writer Melvin Durai – a humorist and now a writer.

The book is about Bala – a typical Tamilian boy who is in love with Rajnikanth and dreams of becoming a movie director. Of course, his dreams are cut short by his family’s expectations, and he ends up becoming an engineer in US. Now, a successful engineer approaching his 30s, he arrives at the next milestone in his life – his marriage.

His parents have lined up a number of girls back home for him. However, Bala is a romantic; he wants to fall in love (or at least feel a connect) with the girl he will eventually marry.

So, does Bala find his dream girl? Well, that’s what the rest of the book is about.

My Thoughts

A short and sweet novel. This book is extremely funny in parts; huge numbers of Indian men of marriageable age will identify with Bala’s predicament really well.

Unfortunately, the book sags in places. The middle could have been edited more tightly, and the final romance between Bala and Priya could have been expanded a little more, to make the ending more meaningful.

But, it’s a pretty neat, debut novel, and hopefully Melvin Durai has more such fun books planned.

Huge thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book for review.

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  1. Pingback: Book news, reviews, and musings 30 Nov 2010 | Read in a Single Sitting - Book reviews and new books
  2. says: Casey

    Heyy – Like ur new look. Sorry to hear ’bout ur woes 🙁 Hope you have a gr8 celebration soon.

  3. says: givingreadingachance

    This sounds like a cute book! Vaish is right, guys perspective books are few.

    I LOVE your header, girl. It is adorable 🙂 🙂

    1. says: Nish

      @Vaishnavi and Veens: Yes, it is not often we get a book from the male perspective on marriage. I also liked that the hero Bala is a very ordinary, aam aadmi type of person, rather than a super-dashing hero.

      @Veens: Thanks for the header compliment :). I seriously am trying to improve my photo-editing skills. Let’s see, might create 2/3 header options more 🙂

  4. says: Vaishnavi

    This sounds like such a fun book! You don’t get books like these from the guy’s perspective all that often!