Good for a debut novel, but nothing new in it. Review on Keep The Change - Nirupama Subramaniam

For a debut novel, I must say that this work passes muster. I like to read some budding authors in the Indian circuit. Some of them hold the promise of maturing into renowned authors, some just try their hand at writing and some are just whiling away their time in trying to concoct some peculiar stuff. The literary circle has its own share of wierdos, some sincere authors who try to produce something original and some copy cats who just try to disguise some old story - sheep in tiger's skin.

'Keep the Change' by Nirupama Subramanian passes muster but is actually not the fresh whiff of air which it could have very well been, had the author made a serious attempt. For a debut novel, this is good. The author holds some promise - however, whether the author can exert herself and sustain in the long run is something that needs to be seen. Having said that, this novel is a light read and fir for reading during a train journey when time hangs heavy.

Let me attempt to structure this review as to provide maximum information without going too deep into the plot. As such there is no plot and a climax that is worth talking about. Nevertheless, I proceed with caution lest I disclose too much and dilute the charm of reading by denting the plot which is so meticulously woven by the author. Here goes :

B DAMAYANTHI (DB) : The central character around whom the whole story revolves. She is a Tamil Brahmin brought up in an orthodox family. She is around 26, single and her parents are trying hard to get her married. But the attempts continuously fail since she has a problem in her horoscope. She works in a small decrepit building in Chennai, is good in maths, has a good consistent academic record. She wants to break free of the boring life at Iyer & Co and wants to get a challenging career. She fantazises a lot on the life she misses.

Then comes the first break and we find the heroine moving to Maximum city and landing a job in a respectable banking company where she teams with some young guys. She meets a person whom she starts doting and dating till she wakes up crudely to reality. She continues to do a good job in her new company. Then its the usual story of climbing up the corporate ladder and discovering her true calling.

VICTORIA : The entire narrative is in the form of a diary entry/letter to a secret friend. Victoria is the invisible character to whom DB addresses her innermost thoughts, whose love life she continuously follows, to whom she confesses her carnal desires. Throughout the story you see Victoria in the shadows.

JIMMY: He is the naughty prankster, a committed worker who knows what his strengths are. He wants to be independent and joins the bank instead of his family business. He stands by DB through the tough times and is one of her few friends in an otherwise alien Mumbai. Jimmy is protrayed as a steadfast, loyal and hardworking guy who knows his limitations and shows his humorous streak.

CG : The project co-ordinator (or whatever he be called) who appears grim in the beginning. He slowly relaxes in the presence of Jimmy and DB and makes very significant contributions in guiding the two juniors along their careers. He is understanding and is quite experienced in the way of the corporates. He is the good guy on whom DB leans for support.

Rahul : The hunk. I dunno what the motive was, for having a hunk in this story. He has many girlfriends and DB also falls for him. Though he appears as the suave macho man, the knight in the shining armour, he is too good to be perfect and has a streaky side which leads to a big showdown. He is the good looking baddie and in a way is cast as the antagonist.

Sonya : DB's flat mate, she is a fashion doll who is bent on giving a makeover to their flat, who is critical of DB's appearance, tastes etc. Though not a very central character she inspires DB to go ahead and get hooked on some guy. DB envies Sonya's looks and her tastes but is at loggerheads with her character. But as is wont to happen these two effect a girly reconciliation towards the end of the story.

Others : There are some trivial characters such as Harish - the boss who is long due a promotion, he has DB and Jimmy work under him. Amma/Appa - the harassed parents who want to see their daughter settled well in an eligible family, whose simple tastes and humility causes embarassment to their daughter at times. There are some other loose characters as Sumi who has a swank job, a good beau, who changes her lifestyle et al. Not very central to the story.

The Plot : There is nothing to write home about under the plot. DB is fed up of working in Chennai and wants to break free. She grabs the opportunity at Mumbai, settles in a new place, makes new friends and starts discovering how the corporate world works. She meets Jimmy, CG and Rahul. She falls in love with him and starts fantasising about him. Rahul is her Greek god, her knight in the shining armour. One day she discovers his callous attitude and decides to quit. More heartbreak follows in her work life. She decides to quit thinking that she is a corporate misfit when she discovers the silver lining in the glowering clouds. The narrative is brisk, at best. The story does not grip and meanders at some points.

The highlights : Good narration, no major loose ends, crisp writing.

The lows : Old wine in a new bottle. There is nothing original. Apart from a few quips the humour seems to be boring. The climax becomes evident halfway through the book. At points the story meanders. When the book starts briskly your expectations rise only to suffer a mighty fall towards the end.

My verdict : Worth a cursory glance. Not for serious readers - its just timepass. The book just about passes muster. The characters could have been given more colour and the story could have been structured better. The author holds promise and has produced a commendable effort. When compared to the likes of Mandar Cocktail (kokate - this guy dared to write Oh S**T Not again), this is a shining beacon and a literary masterpiece. I would suggest this for light reading. Have no expectations, just sit back, read through, smile at the occassional jokes and relax. The story will not linger, neither will the plot. but can be read once. My take - 2.50/5.

Cheers!