What do you think?
Rate this book
The Guest
Sameer is a 'catch', he is qualified, comfortably off, well-employed, young and has no bad habits. And when Sameer was proposed for serene Kavitha, she thought he was too nice. But is a girl allowed to say No because the groom proposed is unexciting? Then she met his mother...
The Guest is a day in the life of Mama, Sameer and Kavitha. A story of ordinary, everyday people.
The Guest is a day in the life of Mama, Sameer and Kavitha. A story of ordinary, everyday people.
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 4, 2015
Check the complete review at
The Guest > Review
It is a short read, like a really short read, about 30-40 pages. But Suneetha has captured the entire Indian essence in those 30 odd pages. The story is really wonderfully written.
There is no slack at any point of the story. There is a bit of suspense, some humor, amazing family bonding, at times even extra ordinary and beautifully described story. It is a beautiful half an hour read. It simply desires to be read at one go and not something you can put down in between. Engaging, capturing and interesting - this short story has it all. 5 stars hands down
The Guest > Review
It is a short read, like a really short read, about 30-40 pages. But Suneetha has captured the entire Indian essence in those 30 odd pages. The story is really wonderfully written.
There is no slack at any point of the story. There is a bit of suspense, some humor, amazing family bonding, at times even extra ordinary and beautifully described story. It is a beautiful half an hour read. It simply desires to be read at one go and not something you can put down in between. Engaging, capturing and interesting - this short story has it all. 5 stars hands down
November 13, 2014
A mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who actually like each other. Such a quirky, different, charming fun read!
May 27, 2015
The synopsis indicated a woman's mag kind or a story and I run miles away from anything that deals with the trials and tribulations of holy matrimony. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find that the story was really about one of my favorite topics - transforming people. From my POV, marriage was only a medium for the two intelligent women in the tale to attempt and change a seemingly simple straight-forward 'no-problem' man. Such men are not hard to find. They appear easy-to-manage in workplaces, make trust-worthy, faithful friends. The exasperation starts only when you live with them.
Here was help for wives and mothers of men like Sameer I thought. The story did bring the hope that Sameer will be transformed through love and logic. It also brought an awareness and understanding of the problem. (May the Sameers who read the story know thy-selves.) However the help was not so imminent. The potential of the story was not fully explored. If not the complete transformation through more drastic situations, the story called for a better start by addressing the underlying fear of uncomfortable situations through a more expanded POV of Sameer. However, like most real-life wives and mothers not much attempt was made. Ultimately, it was someone else, who made Sameer see things.
I would read the author again for more such interesting situations and the depth of bonds and characters but in the hope that she'll give her stories the length they deserve.
Here was help for wives and mothers of men like Sameer I thought. The story did bring the hope that Sameer will be transformed through love and logic. It also brought an awareness and understanding of the problem. (May the Sameers who read the story know thy-selves.) However the help was not so imminent. The potential of the story was not fully explored. If not the complete transformation through more drastic situations, the story called for a better start by addressing the underlying fear of uncomfortable situations through a more expanded POV of Sameer. However, like most real-life wives and mothers not much attempt was made. Ultimately, it was someone else, who made Sameer see things.
I would read the author again for more such interesting situations and the depth of bonds and characters but in the hope that she'll give her stories the length they deserve.
December 30, 2014
Suneetha tells a good story well, using her fluent pen to crisply flesh out her characters and the arcs of their lives, within the limited confines of a novella. She presents a seemingly simple situation and then proceeds to narrate a well paced series of events, making us move along with the situations in question. Was heartening to see relationships drawn out in shades different from the usual stereotypes. A coming of age story, in a sense, for more than one of the protagonists -- The Guest speaks of the author's ability to make a story come alive and draw in the reader.
June 13, 2015
A quick, easy-to-read novella (I read it in one morning, between a dentist's appointment and lunch with a friend) about three main characters. Sameer, who is nice, well-employed, a 'good catch'. Kavitha, his new wife, who has gotten married to him thanks to mutual friends and relatives, within a short period of a month of first meeting Sameer. And Saraswathi, Sameer's mother, who is (thankfully, unlike the clichéd mother-in-law), a real friend to Kavitha. The dynamics between the three of them are played out over the space of twenty-four hours, as an argument breaks out between Sameer and Kavitha over what may be fairly trivial... and leads to interesting developments that will affect the lives of all of them.
Suneetha Balakrishnan is adept at telling a story, and I found myself drawn into the lives of these three people. Kavitha and Saraswathi, in particular, I found to be interesting, strong-willed women whom I quickly warmed to. Sameer, by contrast, seemed immature and slightly one-dimensional: I would have liked a little more character development in his case. (Or, perhaps, a sequel to this book?)
On the whole, barring some irritating typos - especially in the latter half of the book - an engrossing read.
Suneetha Balakrishnan is adept at telling a story, and I found myself drawn into the lives of these three people. Kavitha and Saraswathi, in particular, I found to be interesting, strong-willed women whom I quickly warmed to. Sameer, by contrast, seemed immature and slightly one-dimensional: I would have liked a little more character development in his case. (Or, perhaps, a sequel to this book?)
On the whole, barring some irritating typos - especially in the latter half of the book - an engrossing read.
May 28, 2015
Suneetha Balakrishnan takes a peek into a middle class Indian home and tells the story of a newly wed couple who are slowly coming to terms with the changes in their lives. The third significant person in the story is the mother-in-law. The story is simple and the characters are true to life.
I enjoyed the characters of Kavitha and her mother in law and their amazing bonding but was a little exasperated with the one-dimensional characterisation of the protagonist, Sameer. Also, the pacing of the story -- with the emphasis on the characters' points of view -- slowed down the narrative.
It is a well written (though not typo-free!)novella and makes for a quick, enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the characters of Kavitha and her mother in law and their amazing bonding but was a little exasperated with the one-dimensional characterisation of the protagonist, Sameer. Also, the pacing of the story -- with the emphasis on the characters' points of view -- slowed down the narrative.
It is a well written (though not typo-free!)novella and makes for a quick, enjoyable read.
January 31, 2015
I love the way this story builds on itself. While we're plunged directly into the middle of the conflict between husband, wife, and mother, we're not really sure what the conflict is.
As the story progresses, the author reveals more and more until we reach the surprising ending! The plot was extremely well paced and kept me interested.
I very much enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from this author.
As the story progresses, the author reveals more and more until we reach the surprising ending! The plot was extremely well paced and kept me interested.
I very much enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from this author.
February 2, 2015
A very intriguing little story about the dynamics of a middle class Indian family. Being from the U.S., it was interesting to read about marriage proposals based on horoscopes, a life lived with one's mother-in-law and other aspects of Indian culture. I found the characters well-developed and relatable. I was drawn into the story immediately and want to know what happens next!
January 29, 2015
A light, pleasant and short read.
March 16, 2015
A little light read, almost naive and very foreign.
May 14, 2019
It is a novella. The story revolves around 3 characters Sameer, who is married to Kavita, Saraswati, a widowed mother, and their story. This book gives you a glimpse of a typical Indian household where men don't want/like to participate in the household functions. Sameer is such a man, who is otherwise fine, but always try to dodge the problem by keeping his eyes closed until someone else takes the responsibility. Saraswati and Kavita are both pleasant personalities who understand each other very well.
It has a multiple POV narrative. I enjoyed the friendly relationship between Saraswati and Kavita. Also, the fact that Saraswati knows the shortcomings of his son and never force her decisions on Kavita rather rejoice with her achievements. Some misunderstanding takes place between Sameer and Kavita and then everything is haywire. Now, how they deal with it is the main part of the story. Though it was predictable, it turned out to be a nice light-hearted read. Suneetha Balakrishnan has weaved the story in a very beautiful manner as despite being short it fulfils your heart.
Rating - 3.5/5
It has a multiple POV narrative. I enjoyed the friendly relationship between Saraswati and Kavita. Also, the fact that Saraswati knows the shortcomings of his son and never force her decisions on Kavita rather rejoice with her achievements. Some misunderstanding takes place between Sameer and Kavita and then everything is haywire. Now, how they deal with it is the main part of the story. Though it was predictable, it turned out to be a nice light-hearted read. Suneetha Balakrishnan has weaved the story in a very beautiful manner as despite being short it fulfils your heart.
Rating - 3.5/5
September 1, 2015
The Guest takes you into the life of simple yet intelligent two women who want to transform the person connecting them. The story starts with newly-weds Kavitha and Sameer adjusting to their new marital status. The interesting part is that the marriage takes place because of Kavitha's bonding with Sameer’s mother.
The story takes one into lives of these three people who slowly change as per the demands of marriage and associated responsibilities. Though the wife and mother want easygoing Sameer to takeover his part of the responsibilities, but the help comes from someone else, when Sameer was thrown in a crisis of his own making.
I liked Kavitha’s character a lot. Samoa is typical male, who does whatever is necessary and just needed. The narrative is real-life and simple.
I wished the story had more twists around the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law scheming together and Sameer changed because of their designs. I felt the novel ended a little abruptly.
Otherwise a well written novella, makes for a quick read.
The story takes one into lives of these three people who slowly change as per the demands of marriage and associated responsibilities. Though the wife and mother want easygoing Sameer to takeover his part of the responsibilities, but the help comes from someone else, when Sameer was thrown in a crisis of his own making.
I liked Kavitha’s character a lot. Samoa is typical male, who does whatever is necessary and just needed. The narrative is real-life and simple.
I wished the story had more twists around the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law scheming together and Sameer changed because of their designs. I felt the novel ended a little abruptly.
Otherwise a well written novella, makes for a quick read.
June 23, 2015
Review: The Guest – Suneetha Balakrishnan
Suneetha Balakrishnan weaves a nice tale of a typical Indian household in 'The Guest' with interesting characters; Saraswati – the genial mother-in-law, Sameer – the nonchalant son and Kavita – the pleasant daughter-in-law.
The camaraderie between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law was the highlight for me in this book. The narrative is full of effortless nuances of this friendship and brings forth how each woman understands the other’s story.
I felt that the character of Sameer and his detached persona could have been explored a little more from his perspective of things, not to justify his indifference but to add some more depth to his character.
After reading the story, the title snugly fits in to the whole theme of things.
The book makes up for a good, simple read with a slight twist in the tale.
I reviewed this book as a part of The India Readathon (http://theindiareadathon.weebly.com/)
Suneetha Balakrishnan weaves a nice tale of a typical Indian household in 'The Guest' with interesting characters; Saraswati – the genial mother-in-law, Sameer – the nonchalant son and Kavita – the pleasant daughter-in-law.
The camaraderie between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law was the highlight for me in this book. The narrative is full of effortless nuances of this friendship and brings forth how each woman understands the other’s story.
I felt that the character of Sameer and his detached persona could have been explored a little more from his perspective of things, not to justify his indifference but to add some more depth to his character.
After reading the story, the title snugly fits in to the whole theme of things.
The book makes up for a good, simple read with a slight twist in the tale.
I reviewed this book as a part of The India Readathon (http://theindiareadathon.weebly.com/)
December 12, 2014
In many Indian homes, the male members behave like guests, totally disconnected with the mundane details of how a household functions. Sameer is such a man, nice enough otherwise, but exasperatingly self-absorbed and disconnected from any sense of familial responsibility. Not an easy household for a bride to settle into, but Kavitha has an ally in her mother-in-law, who's not blind to her son's shortcomings. So, will the two women set out to make Sameer less of a guest in his own home!
Suneetha has an easy way of writing and looks at her characters with a mix of humour and gentleness. An enjoyable and quick read.
Suneetha has an easy way of writing and looks at her characters with a mix of humour and gentleness. An enjoyable and quick read.
November 30, 2014
Review: http://wp.me/p2J8yh-2Ja
What works:
+ Fun, lovable characters with their quirks
+ Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who get along
+ Engaging multiple point-of-view narration
What doesn’t:
- One or two grammar glitches (but not prominent)
- A little confused with the ending
All in all, it’s a light read perfect for a short journey, but I wouldn’t say it’s a one-time read.
What works:
+ Fun, lovable characters with their quirks
+ Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who get along
+ Engaging multiple point-of-view narration
What doesn’t:
- One or two grammar glitches (but not prominent)
- A little confused with the ending
All in all, it’s a light read perfect for a short journey, but I wouldn’t say it’s a one-time read.
February 23, 2016
Could be a good story
I think this could have been good, but I honestly didn't get very far into it. There were multiple typos on every page, not English spelling, but rather run on words and sentences. I found this very distracting. Have some respect for those of us that read and PAY for your work and do a final edit.
I think this could have been good, but I honestly didn't get very far into it. There were multiple typos on every page, not English spelling, but rather run on words and sentences. I found this very distracting. Have some respect for those of us that read and PAY for your work and do a final edit.
June 16, 2015
Pleasant read with an in-depth and powerful exploration of marital relationships in modern day India, where arranged marriages are still the norm. Only several main characters, but each is well developed. This is more of a short story but worth the read.
October 25, 2015
Mystery suspense love everything
This book is very easy reading. Give it a go if u want to know how to keep a healthy relationship between ur wife and mother. Keep them both happy
This book is very easy reading. Give it a go if u want to know how to keep a healthy relationship between ur wife and mother. Keep them both happy
March 17, 2016
Cute!
Although brief, this story is very entertaining. I want the best future for the little family introduced in this work.
Although brief, this story is very entertaining. I want the best future for the little family introduced in this work.
October 28, 2016
Good though it is predictable...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews