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Shobhaa: Never a Dull Dé
Women. Men. Women and Men. It’s all about The Sexes and how to negotiate the new equations society demands in a rapidly changing, super charged gender confrontation that is throwing up fresh challenges nobody has any real answers to…. but which involve us all.
Shobhaa Dé presents a thought provoking anthology of her feminist writings. She bravely goes into sensitive terrain, raising important questions about our emotional complexities when it comes to issues that concern sexual politics in today’s India.
Dé covers it all, as she dexterously gets into the minds of contemporary Indians, and candidly exposes familiar hypocrisies and hang ups. From tricky marital issues that most are scared to admit to our moral double standards while judging movie stars, politicians, Godmen and assorted celebrities. Unabashedly she debunks the use of nauseatingly old-fashioned terms like ‘keep’ by an erudite judge, which in turn elicits a quick reaction from legal luminaries.
Shobhaa: Never a Dull Dé provides tantalizing insights into the hidden lives of superstars to shocking incidents in small-town India that rarely find a spot on the front-page; poignant stories about women who silently suffer sexual violations; to the fascinating lives of women politicos who have made it big. Her writing is richly layered and insightful making it hard-hitting and socially relevant. As an important social commentator and opinion shaper, this is De at her sharpest best, fearlessly taking on prejudice and humbug, injustice and oppression,without once losing her humanity.
Shobhaa Dé presents a thought provoking anthology of her feminist writings. She bravely goes into sensitive terrain, raising important questions about our emotional complexities when it comes to issues that concern sexual politics in today’s India.
Dé covers it all, as she dexterously gets into the minds of contemporary Indians, and candidly exposes familiar hypocrisies and hang ups. From tricky marital issues that most are scared to admit to our moral double standards while judging movie stars, politicians, Godmen and assorted celebrities. Unabashedly she debunks the use of nauseatingly old-fashioned terms like ‘keep’ by an erudite judge, which in turn elicits a quick reaction from legal luminaries.
Shobhaa: Never a Dull Dé provides tantalizing insights into the hidden lives of superstars to shocking incidents in small-town India that rarely find a spot on the front-page; poignant stories about women who silently suffer sexual violations; to the fascinating lives of women politicos who have made it big. Her writing is richly layered and insightful making it hard-hitting and socially relevant. As an important social commentator and opinion shaper, this is De at her sharpest best, fearlessly taking on prejudice and humbug, injustice and oppression,without once losing her humanity.
- GenresNonfictionCultural
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2013
3 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Shobhaa Dé
61 books155 followersShobha Rajadhyaksha known as Shobhaa Dé is an Indian columnist and novelist. She graduated from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai with a degree in psychology. After making her name as a model, she began a career in journalism in 1970, during the course of which she founded and edited three magazines – Stardust, Society, and Celebrity.
In the 1980s, she contributed to the Sunday magazine section of the Times of India. In her columns, she used to explore the socialite life in Bombay lifestyles of the celebrities. At present, she is a freelance writer and columnist for several newspapers and magazines.
De is married to Dilip De, her second husband and they have six children from their first marriages. She lives in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.
In the 1980s, she contributed to the Sunday magazine section of the Times of India. In her columns, she used to explore the socialite life in Bombay lifestyles of the celebrities. At present, she is a freelance writer and columnist for several newspapers and magazines.
De is married to Dilip De, her second husband and they have six children from their first marriages. She lives in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 25, 2020
There Shall Never Be A Dull Night If You Have Experienced Never A Dull SHOBHAA DE!!
If You Happen To Be A Regular Reader Of Malayalam Manorama Then This Book Could Well Be Quite A Dull Day Actually Even If It Comes From The JACKIE COLLINS Of India..Simply Because You Would Find The Content Stale & Outdated...So What If It Comes From SHOBHAA DE No Less..As It Is Nothing More Than Old Wine In A New Bottle.So Unless You Relish Old 🍷 Poured Out Of SHOBHAA DE’s Older Bottle, You Could Find This Book Rather Bland And Boring..As The Contents Of This Book Is Little More Than Syndicated Articles From Her Previous Columns That You Would Have Relished Once Upon A Time In Past.
However, If You Not A Regular Subscriber Of Malayalam Manorama Or Survive On A Regular Dose Of SHOBHAA DE Columns, Then You Simply Going To Love This Book-No End, Right From The Very Word Go.
Some Of The Chapters Have A Feel Of Being Outdated In Present Times As The Content Is Recycled From Her (Out) dated Columns That Are Now Way Beyond The Expiry Tag..But If You Not Read Them Before Then This Book Is As Good As Brand New And Would Make Exciting And At Times Sexciting Reading Like Most SHOBHAA DE Bestsellers..
I Have Absolutely No Hesitation Admitting That For Me This Book Was No Less A Bestseller,If Only For SHOBHAA’s Flawless Opinions..Having Been A Diehard Fan Of SHOBHAA Long Before She Transformed Into DE,I Was Simply Fascinated By SHOBHA KILACHAND Since Her Stardust Innings..So For Me Reading Whatever She Pens..Atleast Once Toh Banata Hai...Even If It is As Old As SHOBHAA’s Wine Bottled From Her Own Distillery. Waise Bhi I Relish Purani Sharab As Much As Purane Chawal With A Dallop Of Shabab & Kababs.
The Best Thing About SHOBHAA DE’s Chapters Is That They Crisp-To The Point & Accurate..Not Beating Around The Bush Or Meandering Around Aimlessly In Meaningless Circles Just Because Your Publisher Is Paying You Per Word..Every Chapter Is Crisp & Brief Kept Between 500-1000 Words Maximum....Very Rarely Have I Found A Chapter Drag Beyond 2500 Words Thus Turning Into A Boring Essay Where Journalists Mount A High 🐎 , Look Down On Readers And Give Unending Sermons.Thankfully, The Crisp & Clear Writing Of SHOBHAA DE Is Smoothly Flawless.
Infact At Times One Gets So Captivated In Delving Into Her Thought Process That One Really Wishes She Would Be More Liberal In Her Words And Keep Her Smooth Conversation Flowing Effortlessly...Such Is The Grip SHOBHA DE Has On Her Readers Most Of Whom Are Religiously Following Her Since Socialite Evenings...If Not From Her Stardust Days!!!
If You Happen To Be A Regular Reader Of Malayalam Manorama Then This Book Could Well Be Quite A Dull Day Actually Even If It Comes From The JACKIE COLLINS Of India..Simply Because You Would Find The Content Stale & Outdated...So What If It Comes From SHOBHAA DE No Less..As It Is Nothing More Than Old Wine In A New Bottle.So Unless You Relish Old 🍷 Poured Out Of SHOBHAA DE’s Older Bottle, You Could Find This Book Rather Bland And Boring..As The Contents Of This Book Is Little More Than Syndicated Articles From Her Previous Columns That You Would Have Relished Once Upon A Time In Past.
However, If You Not A Regular Subscriber Of Malayalam Manorama Or Survive On A Regular Dose Of SHOBHAA DE Columns, Then You Simply Going To Love This Book-No End, Right From The Very Word Go.
Some Of The Chapters Have A Feel Of Being Outdated In Present Times As The Content Is Recycled From Her (Out) dated Columns That Are Now Way Beyond The Expiry Tag..But If You Not Read Them Before Then This Book Is As Good As Brand New And Would Make Exciting And At Times Sexciting Reading Like Most SHOBHAA DE Bestsellers..
I Have Absolutely No Hesitation Admitting That For Me This Book Was No Less A Bestseller,If Only For SHOBHAA’s Flawless Opinions..Having Been A Diehard Fan Of SHOBHAA Long Before She Transformed Into DE,I Was Simply Fascinated By SHOBHA KILACHAND Since Her Stardust Innings..So For Me Reading Whatever She Pens..Atleast Once Toh Banata Hai...Even If It is As Old As SHOBHAA’s Wine Bottled From Her Own Distillery. Waise Bhi I Relish Purani Sharab As Much As Purane Chawal With A Dallop Of Shabab & Kababs.
The Best Thing About SHOBHAA DE’s Chapters Is That They Crisp-To The Point & Accurate..Not Beating Around The Bush Or Meandering Around Aimlessly In Meaningless Circles Just Because Your Publisher Is Paying You Per Word..Every Chapter Is Crisp & Brief Kept Between 500-1000 Words Maximum....Very Rarely Have I Found A Chapter Drag Beyond 2500 Words Thus Turning Into A Boring Essay Where Journalists Mount A High 🐎 , Look Down On Readers And Give Unending Sermons.Thankfully, The Crisp & Clear Writing Of SHOBHAA DE Is Smoothly Flawless.
Infact At Times One Gets So Captivated In Delving Into Her Thought Process That One Really Wishes She Would Be More Liberal In Her Words And Keep Her Smooth Conversation Flowing Effortlessly...Such Is The Grip SHOBHA DE Has On Her Readers Most Of Whom Are Religiously Following Her Since Socialite Evenings...If Not From Her Stardust Days!!!
July 6, 2019
Foreword : The one word that springs to mind for this author is 'bold', no cover ups, no fancy trimmings, no nonsense. Straight from the heart
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About the book: An assorted collection of thoughts, The author has definitely been there done that. It's a quirky collection, thought provoking and amusing. .
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Takeaway :Knowledge and subtle hinting on the happenings in Bollywood, political world and the world at large. Interesting different genre
FOR SIMILAR BOOK REVEIWS do follow me on instagram @rushme_reviews
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Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐
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About the book: An assorted collection of thoughts, The author has definitely been there done that. It's a quirky collection, thought provoking and amusing. .
.
.
Takeaway :Knowledge and subtle hinting on the happenings in Bollywood, political world and the world at large. Interesting different genre
FOR SIMILAR BOOK REVEIWS do follow me on instagram @rushme_reviews
.
Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 2, 2019
If you are a TOI fan, this book is for you. I just couldn't get myself to even flip through it.
March 13, 2025
Magnificent woman
Read
November 11, 2016I finished this book in about 25 sessions. The book is readable & I came to know a lot of things. The chapters on unavailability of toilets for woman is written very well. Also interesting was how Chinese author lady thinks is the best way to raise kids. last chapter on 26 life tips opened the author more on her life values.
March 8, 2014
Some useful insights and thought-provoking opinions even in the informal language it is presented in...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews