Book: The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad
Author: Twinkle Khanna
Pages: 256
Read: The paperback edition pictured above
Read in: 2-3 hours
Plot Summary: A gangly young girl transforms her village with a revolutionary idea. Sixty-eight-year-old Noni Appa finds herself drawn to a married man – ‘Why do people have to define relationships, underline each word till the paper gives way beneath,’ she wonders. Bablu Kewat becomes obsessed with sanitary napkins much to his family’s horror, and a young woman keeps checking the weather forecast as she meticulously plans each of her five weddings.
Things I Liked:
1. The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad is a collection of four short stories, each unique in its setting, theme and the kind of characters it features. One story is set in a village, two in big cities and one in a small town. The characters are very human, slightly eccentric but always relatable.
2. The writing is good. Khanna is a competent writer with a gift for infusing even simple, everyday events with humour. This book has multiple laugh-out-loud moments.
3. Each and every story touches your heart. They are about people- simple, common people like you and me- and you can relate to them and their struggles and journeys. Even if you can't fully relate to some of them, you can certainly empathise with them.
4. My favourite story was Lakshmi's and Bablu Kewat's, the latters story is inspired by the real life Padmashri Arunachalam Muruganantham, who invented the low-cost sanitary napkin machine that helps rural women make and sell a pack of 8 napkins for as low as Rs. 16. Bubblu's struggles, his journey, his determination and the various hilarious things that happen along the way make it such a heartwarming story. Lakshmi's story is just heart-warming and inspiring.
5. Noni Appa and Binni's story was also adorable and hilarious. Also, had a lovely life lesson about living in the moment and living for oneself sometimes. Plus any story about a pair of feisty sisters is just so my cup of tea. :)
6. This is a wonderful little book and you can breeze through it in one sitting and come away feeling very moved.
Rating: 4/5
I highly, highly recommend this book. This book works for everyone and is a fun ride from start to finish. I loved the time I spent with this book.
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