Things That Bang

Here is a lady who has written over fifteen books, written thousands of columns, has a frisky personality, gift of the gab and more and glamor that gets her places. Her latest book is more like a collection of blog entries which have nothing new to tell us. I'm talking about Shobhaa De's new book - Superstar India - From Incredible To Unstoppable.

Its just one big tirade against neo-liberalism, the denial of poverty, corruption, love and hate for all that is Western, lack of compassion, jingoism, lavish weddings, gender relationships, sex, the new generation, traditions, festivities, jhola carrying commies, and our collective dirty nature. Did I miss out on anything else? A lot - but nothing you don't know about if you happen to be an Indian.

The book is nothing more than a marketing stunt.

Her 'hot' appearance is what Penguin banked on. Don't get me wrong - the lady has class and is a good writer but the book was an utter bore. It wasn't a 'V. S Naipaul' that had Indians either wanting to strangle the author or love him for his observations on post-colonial India. Instead, Superstar India merely states what we all know. We know what India is all about, we know that the new booming economy, the flyovers, the new jet setters of India do not represent our country and those who think along these lines are leading delusional ignorant lives.

In many ways, she has treated the readers like sounding boards where we might try to unravel her rants like unpaid psychiatrists driven insane by a mind emptily discussing problems and offering no solutions.

Instead of writing her memoirs (and I don't understand why people touching their sixties want to write memoirs), Shobhaa De should stick to writing risque stories as she once told Prince Charles.

The book should have been named The Satirical Reflections On Superstar India And On Indian Middle Class Drawing Room Conversations. and maybe then I could have been a little less nasty in my review.