The Asian Age Book Review: Married But Available

The first review of the book is always awaited with much nervousness. Here is the first review of Married But Available as it appears in the Asian Age newspaper. I half expected Pramita Bose to do the review since she has covered stories on Mediocre But Arrogant and also did one of the early warning stories of the second :)  My book's review was by Pooja Sharma and here it is from the web edition of The Asian Age of 25 Oct 2008 

    "The world goes around an MBA, at least in Abhijit Bhaduri’s Married But Available. The premise, coupled with an unassuming tone, works well for the book, a sequel to his debut Mediocre But Arrogant.Still wondering about the provocative title? That finds a hilarious justification right before the start. The humour promised there is served generously through the rest of the book as well. And it helps both, Abbey and Abhijit tide over tricky spots."

Bhaduri draws on corporate experience to create a world where an MBA degree-holder charts his life. Nothing is high-brow and there are no pretentions to the same. But it’s a world well-sketched, well-peopled and one that has its share of action and drama. The narrative, in first person, flows unhindered and natural through the 270 pages of the book. Bhaduri moves in time, narrating most of the story from past. Though written about a generation that would be already past its prime by now, it hardly looks out of touch with the aspirations of the young and the daring.

The protagonist, Abbey, is an average grader at Jampot (Management Institute of Jamshedpur) and not particularly high and mighty at the start of his career. Most of the story is about his rise as a manager. The lessons he learns in due course are neither subtle nor symbolic as they come directly from the mouth of those who either take Abbey as their protégé or befriend him at some point in the book.

The author finds his way through locales in Jampot, Balwanpur Township and Delhi without any fumbling and is able to induce a degree of veracity into the frugal descriptions.

There is a little bit of everyone here — the collegegoer, the lover, the professional, the loser and, of course, the winner. Covering a variety of roles naturally risks distractions, but Bhaduri sticks to his line. And there are several elements that could have distracted him for the sake of not letting go a good opportunity, but his discipline pays to the final focus in the book. While Bhaduri draws on the stock types for most of the male characters in the book (authoritative boss Captain Sobti, management guru Rusty, honest union leader Arai), there is considerably more genius in the female characters, though he gives them few words. His women are unpredictable and Abbey’s relation with them remains hazy. There is also no attempt to create an illusion of depth where there isn’t any, which lends the narrative good footing.

New age booze-culture is allowed to run alongside traditional Indian-family setup. The sparks that fly highlight the palpable strains on society. Since the author does not take sides of any of the two parties, the sentiments echoed do not sound tiring.

The end, formed somewhat like a masque, tries to pack more action than it is comfortable carrying. But Bhaduri sticks to his virtues and carries it off without diluting the rest of the story.