Mostly Madly Mayil

Mayil #2

by Niveditha Subramaniam, Sowmya Rajendran

At 13 going on assertive 14, Mayil is now on her second diary after Mayil Will Not Be Quiet. “Teen queen,” says Ma. “Terrible teens,” says Pa. And yes, Mayil is perceptibly older, and wiser to a lot more things that make up teens. We see her as one of the Fake-inas Friend-ing a “cute” senior on Facebook, as a superpowered Liyam Lonewolf, a Cinderella tripping over her ghagra at Pumpkin VS’s party… and of course, as a further evolved Mayilwriter who wouldn’t mind rapping too, like the cool Kumari Misstake.

But some things don’t change. As spirited now as when we saw her last, Mayil continues to pour her many thoughts out in this sequel as honestly, hilariously, thinkingly and touchingly as ever — on everything from sexual harassment, to caste distinctions (even in the Harry Potters!), to Saroja Paati in sleeveless and lipstick. This is another exceptional book from two talented young writers.

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Anagha Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I related a lot to Mayil, even in the smallest of ways - being obsessed with a cool new teacher, trying to befriend seniors on Facebook, accidentally telling a boy she's into him, wondering how to communicate the many complexities of her teen life to her parents, feeling all grown up one second & like a child the next, and just - this intense desire to become a writer and believing that it is something that can come true even as voices of self-doubt are constantly coming up.

I also particularly liked Mayil's dad's characterization. I like seeing teens in books deal with some conservative opinions of their parents. I liked how he could simultaneously be a source of irritation and a buffer between Mayil and her mother. I also liked the conflict between Mayil's mother and her grandfather when the latter becomes more open and socially aware. I liked that with both, the book didn't try to 'solve' everything, instead pointing out that there are uneasy everyday things/conversations that cannot always be resolved. Though I love Zainab Aunty, the cool aunty with whom one can actually talk about things, I wanted to see a little conflict there too (why am I like this) - would Zainab aunty ever get caught between Mayil and her mother in an argument & what would she do if she did?

[Vinay Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the complete review: http://wp.me/p2J8yh-2LK

Mayilwriter picks up from where she left off at the end of Book 1, a fresh start to her talking with a fresh notebook, but just as mad and fun as before, while being educative. Quite enjoyed the quirks of this little girl, as well as her family and friends, and the illustrations as well. Here's hoping another book with Mayil's adventures comes out in the future.

[Gayatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt like reading the quirky Indian equivalent of reading The Princess Diaries; I couldn't help the comparisons, because I'd read the latter in my early teen days. Mayil, though, stands out as a contemporary and unique voice.

When I was 13/14, I didn't have the sense that Mayil has, although at times, her naïveté does show through.


Some of the stories were too close to home - the caste based judging, the sexual harassment, secrets with friends, and expectations and failing bravado with the opposite gender. I did like how Mayil points out the hypocrisy of her mother in judging Saroja Paati based on looks and dressing style, but her mother agreeing with her is wishful thinking, at least in my reality.

[Shreya Sawant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly Madly Mayil talks about everything that goes inside the mind of a thirteen-year-old it is a simple and fun read and can be very thought-provoking for children. Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran have talked about things like sexual harassment and caste distinctions it is not like they are preaching about it but opening a thought of these topics in the minds of children. This book is hilariously funny and I think everyone will relate to Mayil in some places or the other.

[Priyal Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book for teenagers. Cuz it tells about her daily life which is just like a teenager's life.. 🙃

[Nandu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! The reason I absolutely love it is because of how easily relatable it is.

[Menaka Sankaralingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mostly Madly Mayil” is the sequel to “Mayil will not be quiet” by Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran. Mayilwriter is back with her delightful observations and recordings in her second diary. Mayil, her friends Ki and Jyothy, and their ‘growing-up’ experiences are captured in a funny and insightful way in this book, yet again.

This time around, read about MayaG going to school, Thatha’s new friend Puma Patti (aka PP), the new twins in class – AvYuck (Aveek that is) and Ashray, the Period law, Kaysha the fake facebook profile, navel piercing, boyfriends and girlfriends and much more. If some of these incidents push the rewind button and remind you of your teenhood, press the pause button and relish the memories for a while. After all, it is not an opportunity that you get everyday.
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