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To Live Once Again
On the day Yamini accidentally finds herself behind the door of her parents' bedroom, she witnesses the monster that her father is and her life is changed irrevocably. Scared, friendless and alone, she revolts in solitude. It is when her father sends her to a convent boarding school in the serene hills of Nainital does she find her true friend. Lavanya.
But Lavanya, a chirpy girl, has her share of problems from a broken family. In each other, the two young girls find their faithful confidantes and cultivate a deep friendship. Both girls have secrets of their own - painful past that refuses to abandon their thoughts.
They take their separate ways, Yamini in her quest to live with dignity and independence and Lavanya striving to find an honest relationship. But life has its own twists. Will the two friends meet again? Can friendships stand the test of time? Can scars of childhood be erased and forgotten? A story of courage To Live Once Again.
But Lavanya, a chirpy girl, has her share of problems from a broken family. In each other, the two young girls find their faithful confidantes and cultivate a deep friendship. Both girls have secrets of their own - painful past that refuses to abandon their thoughts.
They take their separate ways, Yamini in her quest to live with dignity and independence and Lavanya striving to find an honest relationship. But life has its own twists. Will the two friends meet again? Can friendships stand the test of time? Can scars of childhood be erased and forgotten? A story of courage To Live Once Again.
136 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Jayanti Anubhav
1 book31 followersAn avid reader and travel enthusiast- Jayanti quit her banking & insurance career to devote her entire time to pen down her debut novel-To Live Once Again. Actively involved with humanitarian causes, Jayanti lives in Mumbai.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2012
Disclaimer: I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. However, all my opinions are honest and in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
Last night I started this book at around midnight, and three hours later as I lay in the dark, after completing it, I could not get much sleep! I kept mulling over it -- thinking about the characters, the situations and the overall feel of the book! So you can see, its one of those books which will compel you to think. Not just read and move on...
Okay, lets start with the things that I liked.
Jayanti Anubhav is quite a refreshing break from the Bhagat-ish genre of Indian Literature which is flooding the market! It does not have bad grammar, poor prose, or an unimaginative story-line! So, a thumbs up from me!
Secondly, the characters are very well sketched out! Their backgrounds are well defined, so that you can identify/sympathize with their pain, and sufferings. The theme of the book: that we should give life a chance no matter how terrible things seem is also very poignantly and beautifully woven into the tale.
Thirdly (this is a selfish reason), being a Bengali myself, I loved the Bong Connection! And the story had oodles of it! And besides, which girl has not dreamt about getting schooled in a posh convent boarding school amidst the picturesque hills of Nainital? So reading about two girls growing up there was quite a treat!
However, one downside to the story was the ending! I wished it ended on a happier note! I know life is not always about fairy-tale endings, and this novel ended with a tone of a brighter tomorrow, but I could not help but feel terribly sad about the cost at which it was bought!
Other than that, there were a few typing and grammatical errors(very few, can be overlooked or corrected in the next edition) in the first few pages.
A few things to say to the author:
Considering that you'll be reading this review, I would appreciate if you'd reply!
1. Miss Jacob seemed to be a pretty likable and honest character. How is it that she had no idea about how her brother really was? I mean, her own brother. She had to have some faint idea at least. Could she not even hint anything to Yamini? I found it a little upsetting that she unknowingly led to the unhappiness of two of her favourite students. It seemed a little out of her character!
2. Another little thing which I also felt as being out of character was Lavanya's . It didn't quite add up! I mean, Lavanya was portrayed as a vivacious, independent and intelligent girl. There is nothing wrong with having a crush, and it is still forgivable to steal a kiss with someone whom you've just met once! But making love?
Don't get me wrong! It can happen! I'm not saying that it can't, or not judging it morally! What I'm trying to say is that it just was not expected of her! at least maybe if you'd allowed the romance to play up a bit between them, and then let the scenes follow, it would seem natural. Just my personal opinion!
3. What is your Bengali connection? It seemed like you had some, considering there were quite a lot of Bengali influences in the book. I'm quite curious to know.
Anyway, on the whole, To Live Once Again was quite a good read, and I enjoyed it! Good Luck to Jayanti Anubhav for her future projects!
3.5 stars!
Last night I started this book at around midnight, and three hours later as I lay in the dark, after completing it, I could not get much sleep! I kept mulling over it -- thinking about the characters, the situations and the overall feel of the book! So you can see, its one of those books which will compel you to think. Not just read and move on...
Okay, lets start with the things that I liked.
Jayanti Anubhav is quite a refreshing break from the Bhagat-ish genre of Indian Literature which is flooding the market! It does not have bad grammar, poor prose, or an unimaginative story-line! So, a thumbs up from me!
Secondly, the characters are very well sketched out! Their backgrounds are well defined, so that you can identify/sympathize with their pain, and sufferings. The theme of the book: that we should give life a chance no matter how terrible things seem is also very poignantly and beautifully woven into the tale.
Thirdly (this is a selfish reason), being a Bengali myself, I loved the Bong Connection! And the story had oodles of it! And besides, which girl has not dreamt about getting schooled in a posh convent boarding school amidst the picturesque hills of Nainital? So reading about two girls growing up there was quite a treat!
However, one downside to the story was the ending! I wished it ended on a happier note! I know life is not always about fairy-tale endings, and this novel ended with a tone of a brighter tomorrow, but I could not help but feel terribly sad about the cost at which it was bought!
Other than that, there were a few typing and grammatical errors(very few, can be overlooked or corrected in the next edition) in the first few pages.
A few things to say to the author:
Considering that you'll be reading this review, I would appreciate if you'd reply!
1. Miss Jacob seemed to be a pretty likable and honest character. How is it that she had no idea about how her brother really was? I mean, her own brother. She had to have some faint idea at least. Could she not even hint anything to Yamini? I found it a little upsetting that she unknowingly led to the unhappiness of two of her favourite students. It seemed a little out of her character!
2. Another little thing which I also felt as being out of character was Lavanya's . It didn't quite add up! I mean, Lavanya was portrayed as a vivacious, independent and intelligent girl. There is nothing wrong with having a crush, and it is still forgivable to steal a kiss with someone whom you've just met once! But making love?
Don't get me wrong! It can happen! I'm not saying that it can't, or not judging it morally! What I'm trying to say is that it just was not expected of her! at least maybe if you'd allowed the romance to play up a bit between them, and then let the scenes follow, it would seem natural. Just my personal opinion!
3. What is your Bengali connection? It seemed like you had some, considering there were quite a lot of Bengali influences in the book. I'm quite curious to know.
Anyway, on the whole, To Live Once Again was quite a good read, and I enjoyed it! Good Luck to Jayanti Anubhav for her future projects!
3.5 stars!
June 29, 2012
This book has a distinct vernacular flavor despite being written in English. It centers on the lives of Yamini and Lavanya whose fates are interestingly intertwined right from the beginning. Bordering on various social issues like domestic violence, broken marriages, discrimination against girl child and irresponsible parenthood, the story flows like a curvy alley between Yamini and Lavanya.
The characters of Yamini and Lavanya slowly unfold with well-constructed backgrounds of disturbed childhood, distanced families and a series of events that also justify their outlook towards life. Isolated from the rest of the students in the boarding school, they develop a strong kinship owing to their family backgrounds and their common interest in literature. After a few blissful years of companionship, Yamini and Lavanya part ways and proceed with their lives that never stopped surprising them.
Elements like irony and fate are effectively used to render interesting twists to the plots. Yamini, who grew up detesting her father’s abusive attitude towards her mother and loathing her mother’s submissiveness,steps into a world she had never imagined for herself. Lavanya, on the other hand, transformed into a woman strikingly different from the little girl who grew up under the shadow of a glamorous mother.
Years apart, Yamini and Lavanya again cross paths as adults. Their lives are again intertwined by a common string. But this time, it’s not the boarding school.
The story ends with a heightened drama and decisions which alter the lives of the protagonists forever.
The story is also sprinkled with delicate sentiments that instantly strike a chord. These are the moments you can connect with in isolation from the story.
- She had never hugged her mother since the age of four when Madhumita was leaving for a party and Lavanya didn’t want her to go. She was crying as she hugged her mother’s legs and said, “Mom, please don’t go.” Madhumita slapped her and said, “Never do that again. Look what you have done. You have ruined my sari.” Lavanya never forgot that evening and she never hugged her again. -
It’s a well written story from a first time author. A slightly jerky beginning gradually gives way to a crafty narration. Minor editing issues fail to divert your attention by the engaging story telling. The end may seem slightly abrupt for those who crave for more.
Things I liked about the book:
- Interesting story telling
- Imaginative writing
- Well constructed background establishing the characters of the protagonist
- Beautiful narration that adds substance to the plot
- Smooth flow of story between complex plots
The characters of Yamini and Lavanya slowly unfold with well-constructed backgrounds of disturbed childhood, distanced families and a series of events that also justify their outlook towards life. Isolated from the rest of the students in the boarding school, they develop a strong kinship owing to their family backgrounds and their common interest in literature. After a few blissful years of companionship, Yamini and Lavanya part ways and proceed with their lives that never stopped surprising them.
Elements like irony and fate are effectively used to render interesting twists to the plots. Yamini, who grew up detesting her father’s abusive attitude towards her mother and loathing her mother’s submissiveness,steps into a world she had never imagined for herself. Lavanya, on the other hand, transformed into a woman strikingly different from the little girl who grew up under the shadow of a glamorous mother.
Years apart, Yamini and Lavanya again cross paths as adults. Their lives are again intertwined by a common string. But this time, it’s not the boarding school.
The story ends with a heightened drama and decisions which alter the lives of the protagonists forever.
The story is also sprinkled with delicate sentiments that instantly strike a chord. These are the moments you can connect with in isolation from the story.
- She had never hugged her mother since the age of four when Madhumita was leaving for a party and Lavanya didn’t want her to go. She was crying as she hugged her mother’s legs and said, “Mom, please don’t go.” Madhumita slapped her and said, “Never do that again. Look what you have done. You have ruined my sari.” Lavanya never forgot that evening and she never hugged her again. -
It’s a well written story from a first time author. A slightly jerky beginning gradually gives way to a crafty narration. Minor editing issues fail to divert your attention by the engaging story telling. The end may seem slightly abrupt for those who crave for more.
Things I liked about the book:
- Interesting story telling
- Imaginative writing
- Well constructed background establishing the characters of the protagonist
- Beautiful narration that adds substance to the plot
- Smooth flow of story between complex plots
April 23, 2013
Very good script and a strong story line. The book is about two women from different wakes of life, growing up at the same boarding school, sharing their experiences and coming to love each other. Both women suffer deeply from the social stigma and the patriarchal society. At a later point the story moves into a direction where both their lives get badly intertwined into a seemingly impossible situation.
May 3, 2017
this is actually a vry gud novel,
the 1 which motivates us to do wat v lik ,
vry vry gud novel i liked it a lot
the 1 which motivates us to do wat v lik ,
vry vry gud novel i liked it a lot
August 29, 2016
Nice book
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews