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D: Ten Years. Two Lives. One Cafe.
This is not a story. It might be long, and have chapters. It might even appear like one—with a beginning, and an end, and also a middle, but it still isn't one. It is a journey.
It begins in early 2003, where fate throws destiny D—a spunky and spontaneous teenage girl, and the author A—a mumbling socially awkward prepubescent young boy, involuntarily together over a chance meeting at a café. But as all non-stories go, what begins as one impulsive-yet-hurried meal expands into more than a decade’s worth of meetings, musings and repartees. Rest as they say, is history.
It’s a thrilling adventure of two people and the challenging travails of growing up, following heart-to-heart conversations between D and A, as they talk about the past, the present and the future over cups of coffee and accompanying croissants, exploring everything that floats around in this universe, allowing us to tag along with them in their journey and slowly diffuse in their lives.
It begins in early 2003, where fate throws destiny D—a spunky and spontaneous teenage girl, and the author A—a mumbling socially awkward prepubescent young boy, involuntarily together over a chance meeting at a café. But as all non-stories go, what begins as one impulsive-yet-hurried meal expands into more than a decade’s worth of meetings, musings and repartees. Rest as they say, is history.
It’s a thrilling adventure of two people and the challenging travails of growing up, following heart-to-heart conversations between D and A, as they talk about the past, the present and the future over cups of coffee and accompanying croissants, exploring everything that floats around in this universe, allowing us to tag along with them in their journey and slowly diffuse in their lives.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2013
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 22, 2013
Heard a lot on this. But personally did not like it. I felt emotions should be explained in more simple way. Somewhere it felt like not reading a book but reading some study material.
January 2, 2019
The story goes on a little too slow and isn't for people who search for thrill or instant stimulation. To be frank, any stimulation. It doesn't make you sad or anything. Its a friendly book, you can read in public without embarrassing yourself with sudden pools of tears and stuff. Its more like a book, you would save for a rainy day and a cup of coffee
February 13, 2018
The book was different from other books. But I felt for the climax it had there were just too many pages and also too many typos. Sometimes with generic names you don't know what the author is referring to.
May 25, 2013
By Aniruddha Mahale . Grade A
“She had luck, and she had love. As for me, I had nothing. Some of my most cherished memories were of things that never happened. Life was full of ups and downs and downs and downs. I might be suffering from a mid week crisis.”
The book ‘D’ by Aniruddha Mahale is definitely not your typical kind of novel. I suppose, that is what sets it apart from other books of fiction. It’s all in the eyes of the beholder (reader). It could be a journal where the book could be read as entries from the life of the author or the protagonist. Or, it could be read as one single story. It all depends on how you perceive the contents of the book.
Two people meet. ‘D-a spunky and spontaneous teenage girl, and the author A- a mumbling, socially awkward prepubescent young boy.’ Both meet by chance and end up spending years, moments, thoughts and emotions at a café. The novel is mainly about their journey together as youngsters making an attempt to learn and understand the world, life, society and relationships the way they see it through the lens of growing youngsters.
Having been fed over the years with stories and plots with the love/romance and sex elements, one is tempted while reading this book to expect something to happen, some relationship to bloom. But here, it is a blooming of another kind – a wonderful growing and maturing of reflections, a beautiful union of emotions that only two very young people can share. Unconditionally.
“I don’t know where we were headed, but I still followed my Destiny aimlessly, letting her lead the way, just the way I was used to. Sometimes it was just easier for others to make choices for you; especially Destiny, it became so much easier to blame her, when things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to. I guess, these journeys that led nowhere were important. They let you think and put things in retrospect – it felt like a vacation, one of those days of respite in the middle of a busy, bad week in a way, albeit without any postcards, and beach shorts.
At the end of it all, we all lived out our postcard lives, most often; they remained unaddressed, and wasted.
Just like postcards. “
The above mentioned quote seems to form the crux of the novel and of life in general.
A lovely read. Read this book if you want to re-freshen you hidden, insecure reflections.
Originally Reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
“She had luck, and she had love. As for me, I had nothing. Some of my most cherished memories were of things that never happened. Life was full of ups and downs and downs and downs. I might be suffering from a mid week crisis.”
The book ‘D’ by Aniruddha Mahale is definitely not your typical kind of novel. I suppose, that is what sets it apart from other books of fiction. It’s all in the eyes of the beholder (reader). It could be a journal where the book could be read as entries from the life of the author or the protagonist. Or, it could be read as one single story. It all depends on how you perceive the contents of the book.
Two people meet. ‘D-a spunky and spontaneous teenage girl, and the author A- a mumbling, socially awkward prepubescent young boy.’ Both meet by chance and end up spending years, moments, thoughts and emotions at a café. The novel is mainly about their journey together as youngsters making an attempt to learn and understand the world, life, society and relationships the way they see it through the lens of growing youngsters.
Having been fed over the years with stories and plots with the love/romance and sex elements, one is tempted while reading this book to expect something to happen, some relationship to bloom. But here, it is a blooming of another kind – a wonderful growing and maturing of reflections, a beautiful union of emotions that only two very young people can share. Unconditionally.
“I don’t know where we were headed, but I still followed my Destiny aimlessly, letting her lead the way, just the way I was used to. Sometimes it was just easier for others to make choices for you; especially Destiny, it became so much easier to blame her, when things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to. I guess, these journeys that led nowhere were important. They let you think and put things in retrospect – it felt like a vacation, one of those days of respite in the middle of a busy, bad week in a way, albeit without any postcards, and beach shorts.
At the end of it all, we all lived out our postcard lives, most often; they remained unaddressed, and wasted.
Just like postcards. “
The above mentioned quote seems to form the crux of the novel and of life in general.
A lovely read. Read this book if you want to re-freshen you hidden, insecure reflections.
Originally Reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
February 25, 2013
Read D,and found it to be extremely rich in language. Good use of alliterations(" She might have been my muse,but I was her mouse",one more: It was time to pick a side, or run and hide.)also one specialty I found in the language is use of opposites blending nicely with the flow.eg: "I could make other such tall claims,but I knew that I was falling short."
Secondly a self deprecating humor,makes you laugh,especially shopping experience with D,left me in splits.
The topic chosen was little vague for a 24 yr old,shows his maturity to handle the topics such as destiny,karma,luck etc. The way he learns from his own experiences,in conversation with Destiny.
The flip side I found little monotony setting in later half of the book. Like suddenly drifting from the topic and dont know how to end the book.
All in all could not make out this novel is of a debutante's.
Enjoyed reading,all the best for future books.
Secondly a self deprecating humor,makes you laugh,especially shopping experience with D,left me in splits.
The topic chosen was little vague for a 24 yr old,shows his maturity to handle the topics such as destiny,karma,luck etc. The way he learns from his own experiences,in conversation with Destiny.
The flip side I found little monotony setting in later half of the book. Like suddenly drifting from the topic and dont know how to end the book.
All in all could not make out this novel is of a debutante's.
Enjoyed reading,all the best for future books.
March 20, 2013
A Saturday afternoon, the morning bus ride to college, an evening without work: the book was with me throughout!
A teenager myself, there were a lot of things i could relate to and the simplicity of the solutions and the opinions which one might have at this age is what makes this book a good read.
The language is so fresh and makes you want to turn the page looking for another witty sentence. The chats at the cafe, late night walks and love for everything food is composed with interesting turns and reality checks. I especially loved the characterisation and the way the story unfolded to introduce you to karma, hope and luck. (read Luck: He is every girls dream!)
Definitely recommended for your bookshelf!
A teenager myself, there were a lot of things i could relate to and the simplicity of the solutions and the opinions which one might have at this age is what makes this book a good read.
The language is so fresh and makes you want to turn the page looking for another witty sentence. The chats at the cafe, late night walks and love for everything food is composed with interesting turns and reality checks. I especially loved the characterisation and the way the story unfolded to introduce you to karma, hope and luck. (read Luck: He is every girls dream!)
Definitely recommended for your bookshelf!
February 23, 2013
What i really liked in the writing is really fresh. i have always found indian writers to have a pattern. you just know when you are reading a book by an indian author, but aniruddha comes across as different.
the story line, the character mapping, the mood, everything compliments each other.
all in all a perfect book to take in a cafe, and chill out with :)
the story line, the character mapping, the mood, everything compliments each other.
all in all a perfect book to take in a cafe, and chill out with :)
June 20, 2019
Beautiful cover, I must say! The story is not mushy, it is very easy to imagine, and a quick read because of that. It is quite worth reading, I feel, is this tale of two lives and one café. It might even be worth revisiting sometime soon. Thanks to that friend who brought this book to my notice!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews