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Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous
On the day that Hindu nationalists have won a spectacular election victory, a building collapses in Mumbai. The rescue operation finds a single survivor in the debris. The only person able to reach him is Akhila Iyer, a medical student who is also a notorious social media prankster. She finds him mumbling in delirium that two people are on their way to carry out a terror attack. Elsewhere, a young intelligence agent, Mukundan, is assigned to shadow the two terror suspects.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
September 20, 2017
There are two Manu Josephs. One, Manu the author. Two, Manu the journalist. The first is an inspiration while the second is a warning. In his previous two books, Manu the journalist took a backseat and Manu the author – capable of staining the blank page with words of timeless wisdom - shone through. In this book, however, exactly the opposite has happened.
First and foremost, this book should be deprived of its “fiction” tag. The only fictional element here is the lame name changes done to (barely) mask the identity of well known, real-life public figures. This book is essentially an extended, heavily biased, opinion piece laying out the author’s thoughts on a particular case that rocked India over a decade back, and continues to emit aftershocks. Although I will avoid spoilers, anyone with a fair command on current affairs will be able to guess the real-life equivalents of the book’s characters and its plot, just a few pages into it.
The book’s best part – the author’s quintessential, though grossly generalizing, barbs against human rights activists – also turns out to be its most ironic. In presenting a completely one-sided view of important real-life events and the people involved in it, while ignoring all evidence to the contrary, Manu exposes himself as an activist, and perhaps a cowardly one at that, for his activism hides in the garb of fiction. I should mention here that asking tough questions is the job of a journalist, but asking them in a way so as to turn public opinion favourable to one’s own is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous. But then, as I said, Manu the journalist is a warning.
Of course, not everything about the book is bad. Despite all his biases, it's highly admirable that for Manu, there are no holy cows, not even Raghuram Rajan. The interviews Akhila conducts with some of the most towering personalities of our times are surreal and hilarious. Like his previous works, this book has Manu’s signatures – underdog male characters, strong female characters, and of course, words of timeless wisdom. Although the beginning seems jagged due to far too many interjections by the author’s voice, it soon picks up pace and reads like a thriller. It’s a given that the enjoyment readers gets out of this book will be directly proportional to their ignorance about the goings-on of the world. The plot twist towards the end is admirable, too.
I’ll leave you with some gems that only Manu is capable of writing:
“Hope is a premonition of defeat”
“There is no evidence of Damodarbhai’s guilt except one. Hindus adore him and they can’t explain why.”
“Damodarbhai is not right, Damodarbhai is not wrong. He is a secret thought that people have already thought.”
“You can defame love by calling it madness, which only confirms its existence.”
A character’s response when his daughter asks him why he stays in India despite disliking it so much - “India is a wound. But it is not a wound like a whiplash. It is a wound, like a spouse.”
“Sweetheart, I’ll always be yours because no one else might want me or I might be too frightened to stray, for that is what faithful men are, unwanted or cowards.”
Wait, I forgot to ask the most important question. Considering the entire book is based on true events, what if the man under the rubble turns out real, too? If he does, I will go back the very day and change this review, as well as my thoughts on Manu the journalist. Till then, I hope to read more of Manu the author.
First and foremost, this book should be deprived of its “fiction” tag. The only fictional element here is the lame name changes done to (barely) mask the identity of well known, real-life public figures. This book is essentially an extended, heavily biased, opinion piece laying out the author’s thoughts on a particular case that rocked India over a decade back, and continues to emit aftershocks. Although I will avoid spoilers, anyone with a fair command on current affairs will be able to guess the real-life equivalents of the book’s characters and its plot, just a few pages into it.
The book’s best part – the author’s quintessential, though grossly generalizing, barbs against human rights activists – also turns out to be its most ironic. In presenting a completely one-sided view of important real-life events and the people involved in it, while ignoring all evidence to the contrary, Manu exposes himself as an activist, and perhaps a cowardly one at that, for his activism hides in the garb of fiction. I should mention here that asking tough questions is the job of a journalist, but asking them in a way so as to turn public opinion favourable to one’s own is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous. But then, as I said, Manu the journalist is a warning.
Of course, not everything about the book is bad. Despite all his biases, it's highly admirable that for Manu, there are no holy cows, not even Raghuram Rajan. The interviews Akhila conducts with some of the most towering personalities of our times are surreal and hilarious. Like his previous works, this book has Manu’s signatures – underdog male characters, strong female characters, and of course, words of timeless wisdom. Although the beginning seems jagged due to far too many interjections by the author’s voice, it soon picks up pace and reads like a thriller. It’s a given that the enjoyment readers gets out of this book will be directly proportional to their ignorance about the goings-on of the world. The plot twist towards the end is admirable, too.
I’ll leave you with some gems that only Manu is capable of writing:
“Hope is a premonition of defeat”
“There is no evidence of Damodarbhai’s guilt except one. Hindus adore him and they can’t explain why.”
“Damodarbhai is not right, Damodarbhai is not wrong. He is a secret thought that people have already thought.”
“You can defame love by calling it madness, which only confirms its existence.”
A character’s response when his daughter asks him why he stays in India despite disliking it so much - “India is a wound. But it is not a wound like a whiplash. It is a wound, like a spouse.”
“Sweetheart, I’ll always be yours because no one else might want me or I might be too frightened to stray, for that is what faithful men are, unwanted or cowards.”
Wait, I forgot to ask the most important question. Considering the entire book is based on true events, what if the man under the rubble turns out real, too? If he does, I will go back the very day and change this review, as well as my thoughts on Manu the journalist. Till then, I hope to read more of Manu the author.
August 23, 2022
Miss Laila is the sort of book where you don't really know which side the author sympathizes with. The novel trapezes across a few contemporary events in Indian society like the Ishrat Jahan encounter killing, the Gujarat earthquake and the ascent of Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalists. The characters include one of Joseph's best creations - Akhila Iyer, a female prankster who makes videos that poke fun at prominent personalities (especially liberals).
Manu Joseph observes everything with an air of serious drollness. He is not someone who would write long pointless articles about the emergence of fascism that merely state the obvious. His commentary on the rise of Modi is the best I have read. He says that evil is an equal opportunity hiring place where the biggest asshole (Modi, Trump etc) rises to the top. While the good is a well entrenched network where only the duds with connections seem to rise to the top (Rahul Gandhi, Hilary Clinton etc).
Manu Joseph's villains are the activists and social justice warriors. The character Akhila Iyer could well be a mouthpiece for Manu Joseph's views about Indian society. My review might suggest that Manu Joseph sympathizes with the Hindu right wing. He does not. He is not Paul Joseph Watson. He is asking for a higher standard to judge liberals. He also suggests that the law will finally catch up with the murderers of Ishrat Jahan.
Manu Joseph's two earlier novels had elements of genre fiction. Serious Men was like a heist thriller. The Illicit Happiness of Other People had an investigation into a suicide. Miss Laila has a tense car chase/pursuit at its center.
Miss Laila is a terrific thriller with interesting and original views about Indian society. Manu Joseph is the best writer in India today. Here is a man who chooses his words carefully. Never does a trite remark or sentence escape from his pen. It is almost as if he is serving literature and not humanity or some ideology.
Manu Joseph observes everything with an air of serious drollness. He is not someone who would write long pointless articles about the emergence of fascism that merely state the obvious. His commentary on the rise of Modi is the best I have read. He says that evil is an equal opportunity hiring place where the biggest asshole (Modi, Trump etc) rises to the top. While the good is a well entrenched network where only the duds with connections seem to rise to the top (Rahul Gandhi, Hilary Clinton etc).
Manu Joseph's villains are the activists and social justice warriors. The character Akhila Iyer could well be a mouthpiece for Manu Joseph's views about Indian society. My review might suggest that Manu Joseph sympathizes with the Hindu right wing. He does not. He is not Paul Joseph Watson. He is asking for a higher standard to judge liberals. He also suggests that the law will finally catch up with the murderers of Ishrat Jahan.
Manu Joseph's two earlier novels had elements of genre fiction. Serious Men was like a heist thriller. The Illicit Happiness of Other People had an investigation into a suicide. Miss Laila has a tense car chase/pursuit at its center.
Miss Laila is a terrific thriller with interesting and original views about Indian society. Manu Joseph is the best writer in India today. Here is a man who chooses his words carefully. Never does a trite remark or sentence escape from his pen. It is almost as if he is serving literature and not humanity or some ideology.
September 25, 2017
4.5/5 "There r faces that only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned."
The release of this book kept getting delayed and I would check every couple of days to see whether it is available. Bought it at 8 mins after midnight and must have been the first one to buy a Kindle edition. And it was worth it.
Manu Joseph is a brilliant author whose satire will make u laugh, then u will pause and reflect; Many times in a book. And while Joseph said that courage is either foolish or ignorant, I think this book was extremely courageous and is neither. Kudos !
The release of this book kept getting delayed and I would check every couple of days to see whether it is available. Bought it at 8 mins after midnight and must have been the first one to buy a Kindle edition. And it was worth it.
Manu Joseph is a brilliant author whose satire will make u laugh, then u will pause and reflect; Many times in a book. And while Joseph said that courage is either foolish or ignorant, I think this book was extremely courageous and is neither. Kudos !
November 14, 2017
"There are faces that only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned."
This quote from the book explains a lot about what it has in store for the readers. I have a lot of things I want to talk specifically about, specially the political instances referred. But maybe in a detailed post later.
For now, I'd like to share my thoughts on it and why this book isn't for everyone, in a video.
Click here to watch:
Biblio-Thoughts on Miss Laila Armed and Dangerous by Manu Jospeh. It's offensive but I loved it.
This quote from the book explains a lot about what it has in store for the readers. I have a lot of things I want to talk specifically about, specially the political instances referred. But maybe in a detailed post later.
For now, I'd like to share my thoughts on it and why this book isn't for everyone, in a video.
Click here to watch:
Biblio-Thoughts on Miss Laila Armed and Dangerous by Manu Jospeh. It's offensive but I loved it.
October 1, 2017
3.5 stars rounded to 3. When you pick up a book with great expectations you are being unfair to the author's creativity. This book by Manu Joseph stays close to the journalist in him than on the human character expert that made us love him. Standalone, this book is readable, but not one that you want to become a brand ambassador.
Miss Laila Armed and Dangerous could be a satire or a thinly veiled soft expose. Whichever be the case, the book knows to tell a good story. Akhila Iyer, a standup comedian, who takes on the leftist agenda through pranks and who has recently made fun on the Sangh's demigod DaMo is taught a lesson by the goons. The same day a building in Mumbai collapses and DaMo sweeps the elections. A lone survivor in the building is ranting about a terror plot involving Jamal and Laila and Akhila is the conduit between the trapped man and the police above. It becomes a thriller from chapter 5 onwards.
At a subliminal level, it takes on the ideological aspects of activism of any kind. We tend to vilify any threats to our identity be it minority, independent women, western influences, reservation/meritocracy - you name it. In one of the clever chapters towards the end, Manu Joseph demonstrates this activism with a wailing baby in an aircraft and the business class divide.
Aside, his earlier two books were enmeshed with quotes that exhibited brilliant wit and human character. This was few and far in between in this book primarily due to the agenda for an author which is to shock you than entertain you. And if you are someone with limited tolerance - to mock you.
There were some gems along the way. Sample this
"There are faces only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned"
Too few witty lines and, to me, the book gets buried in the expectations from the author in him. Readable but I wish it had been remarkable.
edit: Read the case account of Ishrat Jahan encounter and new found respect for the theme!
Miss Laila Armed and Dangerous could be a satire or a thinly veiled soft expose. Whichever be the case, the book knows to tell a good story. Akhila Iyer, a standup comedian, who takes on the leftist agenda through pranks and who has recently made fun on the Sangh's demigod DaMo is taught a lesson by the goons. The same day a building in Mumbai collapses and DaMo sweeps the elections. A lone survivor in the building is ranting about a terror plot involving Jamal and Laila and Akhila is the conduit between the trapped man and the police above. It becomes a thriller from chapter 5 onwards.
At a subliminal level, it takes on the ideological aspects of activism of any kind. We tend to vilify any threats to our identity be it minority, independent women, western influences, reservation/meritocracy - you name it. In one of the clever chapters towards the end, Manu Joseph demonstrates this activism with a wailing baby in an aircraft and the business class divide.
Aside, his earlier two books were enmeshed with quotes that exhibited brilliant wit and human character. This was few and far in between in this book primarily due to the agenda for an author which is to shock you than entertain you. And if you are someone with limited tolerance - to mock you.
There were some gems along the way. Sample this
"There are faces only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned"
Too few witty lines and, to me, the book gets buried in the expectations from the author in him. Readable but I wish it had been remarkable.
edit: Read the case account of Ishrat Jahan encounter and new found respect for the theme!
September 30, 2017
3.5 stars
With Illicit happiness of other people and Serious men, Manu Joseph has easily become one of my favourite contemporary Indian authors. Hence I pounced upon this book as soon as I came to know of it.
This one ranks beneath the above 2 novels, but above Lost Libido and other pulp fiction, his collection of short stories.
This novel is about
- a plucky young news reporter/ vlogger wbo is not afraid to caricature and publicly humiliate all pompous public figures, irrespective of their caste or political beliefs. After all she lost her mother to misplaced communist idealism
- Mukundan, a young police in the CBI who wants to maintain his work ethics
-Laila, a 19 year old Muslim girl who is burdened with a widowed mother and half a dozen younger siblings whom she has to support. Jamal, her employer.
- various political bigwigs who can be very well identified with living personae with a little imagination.
The past and present collude and we get s fast paced story set in the premises of a collapsed low cost building in Mumbai .
Was a quick read. Enjoyed most parts.
But if one is new to Manu Joseph, please read the other two books first.
With Illicit happiness of other people and Serious men, Manu Joseph has easily become one of my favourite contemporary Indian authors. Hence I pounced upon this book as soon as I came to know of it.
This one ranks beneath the above 2 novels, but above Lost Libido and other pulp fiction, his collection of short stories.
This novel is about
- a plucky young news reporter/ vlogger wbo is not afraid to caricature and publicly humiliate all pompous public figures, irrespective of their caste or political beliefs. After all she lost her mother to misplaced communist idealism
- Mukundan, a young police in the CBI who wants to maintain his work ethics
-Laila, a 19 year old Muslim girl who is burdened with a widowed mother and half a dozen younger siblings whom she has to support. Jamal, her employer.
- various political bigwigs who can be very well identified with living personae with a little imagination.
The past and present collude and we get s fast paced story set in the premises of a collapsed low cost building in Mumbai .
Was a quick read. Enjoyed most parts.
But if one is new to Manu Joseph, please read the other two books first.
November 3, 2017
3rd November:
3.5 stars
The book reads well and makes for a pacy, interesting story but truth be told, I didn't get my closure with it by the end of the book. (and I wanted to read more about the actual incident. Ishrat Jahan Case - if you're curious too.)
I'm all in for satire in stories and this is precisely what works for me in Manu Joseph's writings. That said, the story as a whole felt incomplete, it being a writing on a real life encounter case - I guess there will be loose ends as there are limits to both journalism and investigation. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it as much as I loved The Illicit Happiness of Other People.
~End of review~
I've read in one of the reviews here that they would love to know if Mukundan too is based on a real life character. I would like to believe that his character is inspired by the writer's own experience with the incident.
22nd October:
Saving rating/review for later.
This being a writing inspired by/loosely based on a real incident I do not have an idea about, it is only fair to get acquainted at least a little about the incident before I review the book for its story.
As a social and political satire, it hits all the chords it is meant to.
3.5 stars
The book reads well and makes for a pacy, interesting story but truth be told, I didn't get my closure with it by the end of the book. (and I wanted to read more about the actual incident. Ishrat Jahan Case - if you're curious too.)
I'm all in for satire in stories and this is precisely what works for me in Manu Joseph's writings. That said, the story as a whole felt incomplete, it being a writing on a real life encounter case - I guess there will be loose ends as there are limits to both journalism and investigation. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it as much as I loved The Illicit Happiness of Other People.
~End of review~
I've read in one of the reviews here that they would love to know if Mukundan too is based on a real life character. I would like to believe that his character is inspired by the writer's own experience with the incident.
22nd October:
Saving rating/review for later.
This being a writing inspired by/loosely based on a real incident I do not have an idea about, it is only fair to get acquainted at least a little about the incident before I review the book for its story.
As a social and political satire, it hits all the chords it is meant to.
November 9, 2017
2.5
Disappointed. Serious and Illicit expectations from the author killed it for me.
Disappointed. Serious and Illicit expectations from the author killed it for me.
December 19, 2017
I would have given this a three-star rating after the first 50 pages or so. The writing was good, if a little rambly. The author's predisposition to poke fun at both sides of the political spectrum shone through at times, while at others it felt a bit flat and forced. Some of the ideas and musing were interesting, while others just too tangential to the flow of the narrative.
Well, well, Manu, I thought, where are you going with this.
As if in response, the writing shifted up another gear. Without realising it, I was drawn into the narrative, pulling curiously at the little threads that he'd left as breadcrumbs for me to follow. There was Akhila, instigator and prankster; there was the Hindu Patriarch, Professor Vaid, analysing her pranks in context with the larger sociopolitical spectrum; there was the poor bastard trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building; there was Jamal, a suspect terrorist and Laila's boss; there was Mukundan, the IB officer following Jamal; there was Alisha (I could be getting the name wrong here), Laila's little sister and her closest confidante; there was Bheem, the leader of the Beards and a staunch Hindutva flagbearer who featured in the good books of Damodarbhai, ex-CM of Gujarat and the would-be PM of the country.
And then there was Laila Raza - the titular character, but always shown through the eyes of someone else. Her hopes, her dreams, her thoughts, her actions are all from the perspective of the people narrating it, coloured by their perception of who she is. It was a curious device to employ, this non-subjective representation. It made you think you knew who Laila was, and know you didn't. Not really.
The story progresses, and all the loose ends are tied up in a gangbanger of an ending. The climax literally swept me off my feet. The thinly-veiled satire - you know which real-life person each character (apart from Akhila and Mukundan, I guess) is supposed to represent - brings a haunting, biting perspective to a highly-publicised police encounter that is still unresolved, and is by now mired in so many claim and counterclaims that it is difficult to identify what is truth and what isn't. Manu Joseph pulls no punches when he delivers his verdict of guilty on everyone involved - the law enforcement, the government, the media, the social activists, the facist right-wingers, the liberal left-wingers.
Top stuff, this. Five stars through and through.
Well, well, Manu, I thought, where are you going with this.
As if in response, the writing shifted up another gear. Without realising it, I was drawn into the narrative, pulling curiously at the little threads that he'd left as breadcrumbs for me to follow. There was Akhila, instigator and prankster; there was the Hindu Patriarch, Professor Vaid, analysing her pranks in context with the larger sociopolitical spectrum; there was the poor bastard trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building; there was Jamal, a suspect terrorist and Laila's boss; there was Mukundan, the IB officer following Jamal; there was Alisha (I could be getting the name wrong here), Laila's little sister and her closest confidante; there was Bheem, the leader of the Beards and a staunch Hindutva flagbearer who featured in the good books of Damodarbhai, ex-CM of Gujarat and the would-be PM of the country.
And then there was Laila Raza - the titular character, but always shown through the eyes of someone else. Her hopes, her dreams, her thoughts, her actions are all from the perspective of the people narrating it, coloured by their perception of who she is. It was a curious device to employ, this non-subjective representation. It made you think you knew who Laila was, and know you didn't. Not really.
The story progresses, and all the loose ends are tied up in a gangbanger of an ending. The climax literally swept me off my feet. The thinly-veiled satire - you know which real-life person each character (apart from Akhila and Mukundan, I guess) is supposed to represent - brings a haunting, biting perspective to a highly-publicised police encounter that is still unresolved, and is by now mired in so many claim and counterclaims that it is difficult to identify what is truth and what isn't. Manu Joseph pulls no punches when he delivers his verdict of guilty on everyone involved - the law enforcement, the government, the media, the social activists, the facist right-wingers, the liberal left-wingers.
Top stuff, this. Five stars through and through.
October 24, 2017
Eminently quotable yet decidedly average.
There was a quote I read somewhere that goes, I might be paraphrasing, like this "If everything is funny, nothing is funny and if everything is sad, nothing is sad". This applies for Manu Joseph's latest book where every page has a joke or a quotable quote, often mired in its own smugness and unmissable sarcasm. It is as if Manu has decided to joke on everything and everyone and for every joke he writes on anyone else, he writes one on Modi. The result is a mishmash of jokes, name-calling, mud-slinging, delectable writing interspersed with dollops of charm and lazy plotting.
While Manu's earlier works made me buy this immediately after its release, this is not a book by the Manu I came to love, but that of a journalist, who compartmentalizes people delicately into several religious, ethical and ideological groups, most of the time I wasn't sure I got the differentiation and can only guess what he is hinting at. May be people well versed in politics could get this "satire".
Not for me.
One star purely added for having the line "Sarcasm is the second lowest form of wit"
There was a quote I read somewhere that goes, I might be paraphrasing, like this "If everything is funny, nothing is funny and if everything is sad, nothing is sad". This applies for Manu Joseph's latest book where every page has a joke or a quotable quote, often mired in its own smugness and unmissable sarcasm. It is as if Manu has decided to joke on everything and everyone and for every joke he writes on anyone else, he writes one on Modi. The result is a mishmash of jokes, name-calling, mud-slinging, delectable writing interspersed with dollops of charm and lazy plotting.
While Manu's earlier works made me buy this immediately after its release, this is not a book by the Manu I came to love, but that of a journalist, who compartmentalizes people delicately into several religious, ethical and ideological groups, most of the time I wasn't sure I got the differentiation and can only guess what he is hinting at. May be people well versed in politics could get this "satire".
Not for me.
One star purely added for having the line "Sarcasm is the second lowest form of wit"
Read
June 12, 2019I missed something here, I think. There are the stories of a vlogger prankster, a man trapped in a collapsed building, a girl whose sister is on a road trip with her boyfriend, and one of the policemen following them because the boyfriend is a suspected terrorist. They intersect and sort of fit together eventually, but it doesn't really form a satisfying whole in story terms. However, it's based on real events that I don't know about, so I think I just don't have the basic information to interpret what's on the page. Hey ho, the author writes very well so I'll try something else that's more intended as a novel.
June 19, 2019
Joseph is India's Bulgakov. This book is a perfect portrayal of his personality as a journalist than an author.
December 9, 2019
There’s a highly contrived scenario here, but it is excusable for what follows.
After the collapse of a building in an earthquake in Mumbai the sole survivor is trapped beneath rubble, and only reached through a narrow natural tunnel, accessible by a small and fearless young woman, a well known prankster, to whom the survivor mumbles that a terrorist attack is about to take place.
As the adventure aspect quietly ticks over, Jospeh blends in plenty on the current political scenario of India; which, though of interest, was occasionally overdone for me, and I suspect many reading it in other continents. The suspense does mount though, and combined with a wry humour, the sum of the novel’s many parts is finally disclosed in a rewarding finale.
After the collapse of a building in an earthquake in Mumbai the sole survivor is trapped beneath rubble, and only reached through a narrow natural tunnel, accessible by a small and fearless young woman, a well known prankster, to whom the survivor mumbles that a terrorist attack is about to take place.
As the adventure aspect quietly ticks over, Jospeh blends in plenty on the current political scenario of India; which, though of interest, was occasionally overdone for me, and I suspect many reading it in other continents. The suspense does mount though, and combined with a wry humour, the sum of the novel’s many parts is finally disclosed in a rewarding finale.
November 25, 2023
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book. Truth be told, Manu Joseph is one of my go-to sparkling writers - I am of the firm belief that I can crawl into 'Serious Men' any day as if into an old boyfriend tshirt. Miss Laila, however, is a curious matter.
True to his style, Manu Joseph has some SPECTACULAR punch lines. Lines that kick you right in the (political as well as aesthetic) gut. They can make you shudder and chuckle at the same time, a quality that is simply a delight to behold. The narrative, however is familiar and trite (I'm always wary of calling "political" plots trite, but I can't help it). It is one of modest writerly rebellion. But the views on feminism - if any - were just downright confusing. Is Manu Joseph ironic when he writes a female character who criticises mansplaining? In simple terms, what is our shining feminist beacon Akhila Iyer's point? She's a pretty annoying character to be honest. In fact, one of the most annoying ones I've read of late (possibly because she was sketched so poorly, with less than fifty pages devoted to her - this book could have been stellar with more attention to detail) As always, Manu Joseph's strength is in his lonely, poetic male character, Mukundan, whose sections are written quite beautifully with an ease and elegance that comes naturally to Joseph. Trust him to put rustic simplicity into gorgeously articulate writing. Whatever stars this book gets, it's thanks to Mukundan.
Closing remarks? This pretty line from the book needs to make the cut: "Far away a giant cruise ship sails across the bay, like a beautiful novel about nothing." And that's what these 200 pages were. A pretty novel written for the sake of capitalising on the political climate. Well. Keep sailing, Miss Laila. Keep sailing.
True to his style, Manu Joseph has some SPECTACULAR punch lines. Lines that kick you right in the (political as well as aesthetic) gut. They can make you shudder and chuckle at the same time, a quality that is simply a delight to behold. The narrative, however is familiar and trite (I'm always wary of calling "political" plots trite, but I can't help it). It is one of modest writerly rebellion. But the views on feminism - if any - were just downright confusing. Is Manu Joseph ironic when he writes a female character who criticises mansplaining? In simple terms, what is our shining feminist beacon Akhila Iyer's point? She's a pretty annoying character to be honest. In fact, one of the most annoying ones I've read of late (possibly because she was sketched so poorly, with less than fifty pages devoted to her - this book could have been stellar with more attention to detail) As always, Manu Joseph's strength is in his lonely, poetic male character, Mukundan, whose sections are written quite beautifully with an ease and elegance that comes naturally to Joseph. Trust him to put rustic simplicity into gorgeously articulate writing. Whatever stars this book gets, it's thanks to Mukundan.
Closing remarks? This pretty line from the book needs to make the cut: "Far away a giant cruise ship sails across the bay, like a beautiful novel about nothing." And that's what these 200 pages were. A pretty novel written for the sake of capitalising on the political climate. Well. Keep sailing, Miss Laila. Keep sailing.
March 14, 2023
How do you like to have your truth?
Served on platter in black and white tales with thick dividing lines?
Or, Lurking behind myriads of narratives, where like an valiant explorer in an unknown thick forest, you ramble around in search for it.
Well, I prefer the latter. Cause, I think the first option is an impossibility. No single tale of truth is absolute. And, even if it is, where is the joy in that?
In the second option, of course there is no guarantee that you will ever find the truth. You can stumble upon 'your truth', but it might not be 'the truth'. But, the journey is exhilarating, isn't it?
So, what's truth behind anything that you hear, read or see? Who knows?
Do I expect the truth to be absolute from any writer? - No. It is his or her truth.
So, is Manu Joseph's take on case is the truth? Who knows? May be. May not be.
But, what a tale he wove!!!
Written in a form of dark satire, with reference to real people, but unrelated events, the story provides a thrilling ride of a controversial event of our times.
Manu doesn't discriminate. He upsets all. Attacking the idols of both the right and the left. Raghuram Rajan, Arundhati Roy, Ajit Dhoval, P Sainath, Irom Sharmila, Amit Shah and most importantly our beloved PM, all hidden by obvert pseudo names though, no one is spared from Manu's sharp critique.
Audacious.
P.S. Had he called him GautamBhai instead of DamodarBhai, would he have been in jail?
P.P.S. Is he not in jail because not many at the side of the power read books?
Served on platter in black and white tales with thick dividing lines?
Or, Lurking behind myriads of narratives, where like an valiant explorer in an unknown thick forest, you ramble around in search for it.
Well, I prefer the latter. Cause, I think the first option is an impossibility. No single tale of truth is absolute. And, even if it is, where is the joy in that?
In the second option, of course there is no guarantee that you will ever find the truth. You can stumble upon 'your truth', but it might not be 'the truth'. But, the journey is exhilarating, isn't it?
So, what's truth behind anything that you hear, read or see? Who knows?
Do I expect the truth to be absolute from any writer? - No. It is his or her truth.
So, is Manu Joseph's take on case is the truth? Who knows? May be. May not be.
But, what a tale he wove!!!
Written in a form of dark satire, with reference to real people, but unrelated events, the story provides a thrilling ride of a controversial event of our times.
Manu doesn't discriminate. He upsets all. Attacking the idols of both the right and the left. Raghuram Rajan, Arundhati Roy, Ajit Dhoval, P Sainath, Irom Sharmila, Amit Shah and most importantly our beloved PM, all hidden by obvert pseudo names though, no one is spared from Manu's sharp critique.
Audacious.
P.S. Had he called him GautamBhai instead of DamodarBhai, would he have been in jail?
P.P.S. Is he not in jail because not many at the side of the power read books?
September 20, 2017
This is such a lovely book - fast-paced, beautifully written, with characters that stay in your heart for a long time. Set in an India that you will instantly recognize as your own, the characters of Akhila - an independant, edgy doctor who plays the most hilarious social media pranks on stuffed egoes, and the beautiful, vulnerable Laila who is on a journey that is fraught with all sorts of possibilities, are possibly the most interesting women characters written in an Indian novel.
March 4, 2019
A thrilling, page turning fare which is very brave and courageous in its writing and which reflects the contemporary Indian society at large and the current political scenario.
January 5, 2018
"One reason why the Muslim population is growing faster than the Hindu, Damodarbhai would never say it out loud, is that Muslims don't kill their girls in the womb."
One of the best books that I read last year was this amazing book by Manu Joseph. This story set up in the current political-social scenario and takes place in the course of a day. This book is full of sarcasm and wit. One is left baffled during many parts of the book even after being aware with the reality of it.
"There are faces that only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned."
Two Story lines
This story consists of two story lines of a man stuck in debris giving accurate whereabouts of a Muslim couple leading towards a terrorist attack and Mukundun following the Muslim couple. The two stories blended effortlessly and I did not see the ending coming. The great insights of the characters including Miss Iyer playing pranks of the 'supposed' liberals, Laila who supports her entire family and simultaneous inclusion of small chapters consisting of minute details of these characters and others like Damodarji leading the country (get it?)
Read the complete review on The Common Shelf.
One of the best books that I read last year was this amazing book by Manu Joseph. This story set up in the current political-social scenario and takes place in the course of a day. This book is full of sarcasm and wit. One is left baffled during many parts of the book even after being aware with the reality of it.
"There are faces that only an Indian can make. Like that baffled face when he is shocked by the most logical outcome of his actions. He crosses the road like a cow, and he is startled by a truck. A vehicle on the road? How? He walks across the railway track, and he finds a train hurtling towards him. A train on a railway track? He is stunned."
Two Story lines
This story consists of two story lines of a man stuck in debris giving accurate whereabouts of a Muslim couple leading towards a terrorist attack and Mukundun following the Muslim couple. The two stories blended effortlessly and I did not see the ending coming. The great insights of the characters including Miss Iyer playing pranks of the 'supposed' liberals, Laila who supports her entire family and simultaneous inclusion of small chapters consisting of minute details of these characters and others like Damodarji leading the country (get it?)
Read the complete review on The Common Shelf.
December 9, 2017
" One reason why the Muslim population is growing faster than the Hindu, Damodarbhai would never say it out loud, is that Muslims don't kill their girls in the womb."
.
Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous takes on as a thriller that unfolds during the course of a day. Miss Akhila Iyer, an aware young lady with a knack of getting into trouble, finds herself conveying information from a delirious man trapped under a collapsed building. He is giving out real time movements of a Muslim couple which leaves everyone baffled.
The backdrop of the narrative is set in contemporary India wherein a single colossal man, Damodarbhai, holds immense influence over a country going saffron.
There are small chapters within the main plot which showcase frightening influence of unchecked power. If you've been following recent developments in our society, you'll know precisely what the book speaks of.
The book is hard hitting and chilling, and nothing prepares me for the ending, even though I knew where it was headed. It's a scathing satire on our socio-political system; and is probably going to irk certain sections of the society.
Nevertheless, Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous, is a book not to be missed. I finished it in one sitting.
.
Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous takes on as a thriller that unfolds during the course of a day. Miss Akhila Iyer, an aware young lady with a knack of getting into trouble, finds herself conveying information from a delirious man trapped under a collapsed building. He is giving out real time movements of a Muslim couple which leaves everyone baffled.
The backdrop of the narrative is set in contemporary India wherein a single colossal man, Damodarbhai, holds immense influence over a country going saffron.
There are small chapters within the main plot which showcase frightening influence of unchecked power. If you've been following recent developments in our society, you'll know precisely what the book speaks of.
The book is hard hitting and chilling, and nothing prepares me for the ending, even though I knew where it was headed. It's a scathing satire on our socio-political system; and is probably going to irk certain sections of the society.
Nevertheless, Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous, is a book not to be missed. I finished it in one sitting.
October 6, 2017
"Why don't you go live in Sweden?"
" I don't hate this place", he says.
" You do. It whips you every day".
"India is a wound,", he says in a professorial tone. "But it is not a wound like a whiplash. It is a wound,like a spouse".
Manu Joseph is back with his third novel. Unlike his previous two which featured less of Manu the Journalist, this novel feels more like a fictionalization of events and tropes familiar to any Manu fan. Nonetheless, the witty one-liners, the dark humour , the brave lampooning of everyone ( from Modi to Irom Sharmila) and the overarching theme come together to make a gripping tale.
The author warns that "A life without meaning is fragile,it can collapse any moment into purpose". He does not heed the warning himself and helps the novel collapse into a deep and moving purpose.
" I don't hate this place", he says.
" You do. It whips you every day".
"India is a wound,", he says in a professorial tone. "But it is not a wound like a whiplash. It is a wound,like a spouse".
Manu Joseph is back with his third novel. Unlike his previous two which featured less of Manu the Journalist, this novel feels more like a fictionalization of events and tropes familiar to any Manu fan. Nonetheless, the witty one-liners, the dark humour , the brave lampooning of everyone ( from Modi to Irom Sharmila) and the overarching theme come together to make a gripping tale.
The author warns that "A life without meaning is fragile,it can collapse any moment into purpose". He does not heed the warning himself and helps the novel collapse into a deep and moving purpose.
November 12, 2017
Read it if you've read his books earlier. This is a satire on a real life incident. Don't judge his writing by this book.
November 7, 2017
I read "The illicit happiness of other people" recently and was blown away by the incredibly well fleshed-out characters whom you empathise with. I picked up this book hoping to find more of that but was disappointed. It has absolutely nothing in common with the previous book and the characters seemed to be the opposite.
Even if I keep the comparison aside and approach this book as a standalone product of the author, the book fails to evoke much interest in me. Barely do you feel for the characters; there is very little character development and they are just there, doing things that don't seem all that realistic. I believe the book is a satire but a satire falls flat if you don't care for the characters.
The author and his views are a mish-mash of views thrown about by a people in the current socio-political climate, and there is a lack of a unifying coherent thought in them. The author had the benefit of hindsight as he writes about real life events (with names changed). However the perspective of the author is one which belongs to the worst kind of fence-sitters, the ones who act like equal offenders to both the sides. In doing so, the attempt at humour is rife with stereotypes and rhetoric, bringing forth the worst of the lot in the forefront and camouflaging a lot of facts. This is a side of the author which he has been pushing hard with his recent pieces in newspapers/magazines and in his social media posts and it kind of seems to be geared towards the release of this book which seems disingenuous. An author as gifted as him doesn't really "need" to pull this. I seriously hope I am wrong about this, and that the book is a product of the metamorphosis and not the other way around.
I wouldn't discount any of the author's views though, there is definitely an underlying sense of realism to it, however the execution might be. While the story itself isn't much to talk about, there are passages where the author reflects on the nature of activism and empathy. I might not agree with a lot of his views but some parts do shine, most prominent among them being the part with the airplane ride and the business class - economy class divide which has been used as a fine analogy.
I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. Maybe I am just too emotionally invested in the topic to be able to let it go. I am not nearly modest enough but would graciously accept that I am biased and hence wouldn't be most accepting of some of the author's views, but I am not too keen on his views for the other side too.
I guess I'll have to read "Serious men" or reread "The illicit happiness of other people" to see the Joseph of a simpler time. I hate to see socio-political changes ruin good things (like Facebook, or social media in general), just hope this isn't one of those things.
Even if I keep the comparison aside and approach this book as a standalone product of the author, the book fails to evoke much interest in me. Barely do you feel for the characters; there is very little character development and they are just there, doing things that don't seem all that realistic. I believe the book is a satire but a satire falls flat if you don't care for the characters.
The author and his views are a mish-mash of views thrown about by a people in the current socio-political climate, and there is a lack of a unifying coherent thought in them. The author had the benefit of hindsight as he writes about real life events (with names changed). However the perspective of the author is one which belongs to the worst kind of fence-sitters, the ones who act like equal offenders to both the sides. In doing so, the attempt at humour is rife with stereotypes and rhetoric, bringing forth the worst of the lot in the forefront and camouflaging a lot of facts. This is a side of the author which he has been pushing hard with his recent pieces in newspapers/magazines and in his social media posts and it kind of seems to be geared towards the release of this book which seems disingenuous. An author as gifted as him doesn't really "need" to pull this. I seriously hope I am wrong about this, and that the book is a product of the metamorphosis and not the other way around.
I wouldn't discount any of the author's views though, there is definitely an underlying sense of realism to it, however the execution might be. While the story itself isn't much to talk about, there are passages where the author reflects on the nature of activism and empathy. I might not agree with a lot of his views but some parts do shine, most prominent among them being the part with the airplane ride and the business class - economy class divide which has been used as a fine analogy.
I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. Maybe I am just too emotionally invested in the topic to be able to let it go. I am not nearly modest enough but would graciously accept that I am biased and hence wouldn't be most accepting of some of the author's views, but I am not too keen on his views for the other side too.
I guess I'll have to read "Serious men" or reread "The illicit happiness of other people" to see the Joseph of a simpler time. I hate to see socio-political changes ruin good things (like Facebook, or social media in general), just hope this isn't one of those things.
September 3, 2018
"When the elite of a system become the underclass in another system, they search for a moral cause to restore balance of power. This is popularly known as activism. Upon finding the moral cause, the elite co-opt, enlist and employ naive simpletons to fight the battle. Activism is always a retaliation of the elite, always couched in morals and always a feudal system where the strong employ the weak, the poor, the demented, the suicidal, the semi-literate and other losers of the society."
The above quote is really at the heart of this work where Joseph takes open shots at right- and left-wing activists. While it was amusing to see him make fun of interesting entities like the RSS, Arundhati Roy, men-who-claim-to-be-feminists, and so on, the book appeared, at times, to be an opinion piece rather than pure fiction.
In terms of the story itself, it is a quick-paced, apparently thrilling tale involving many real-life characters (feat. our current and beloved Prime Minister) who are thrown in the midst of some "rapidly" changing events. A man buried under the debris is mumbling the real-time movements of a Muslim couple, who are followed by an intelligence agent in suspicion of a terror-related activity. Listening to this mumbling man is the most interesting character, Akhila Iyer, who happens to prank and troll activists, pseudo-liberals, and also the RSS in her spare time. Even gets occasionally beaten up by thugs for her mischiefs.
The prose is light and breezy to read, even though it lacks that philosophical touch that Joseph put in his earlier two books (Serious Men and The Illicit Happiness of Other People). Chapters are generously sprinkled with Joseph-esque quotes of wisdom, which I truly cherished.
I enjoyed the book overall, the authorial commentary became a bit distracting at times. Interestingly, the most ironic thing that this book reveals is that perhaps Joseph isn't that different from the people he pretends to despise. With his heavily one-sided perspective of events and common presence of disproportionally strong female characters in his novels, he too, at the end of a day is an activist and possibly, a closet feminist.
Final Verdict: All that being said, the book is surely worth a read. If you're looking for a quick little lemon pie that you can gobble down in a minute, this may be worth a try.
July 27, 2019
Man, was this book hard to review! Honestly, this is my very first Manu Joseph book so I had little to no idea what it had in store for me. The blurb sounded super interesting and it read "thriller". That one word was enticing enough to pull me in and I let it.
Now getting back to the review, I must accept the fact that I have always been vocally apolitical. But I know how important this subject is, so I have never been ignorant. This book claims to be a work of fiction but truly, it is only a figment of it for most of the part is hugely based on real life events and persons. While some might find this book highly offensive (which is obvious, given Joseph's strong political views), others might enjoy this fiercely. To decide on which end of the bargain would I land up on, I had to rack my brains for quite a while. Now that I have been through it, I think its safe to say that the reading experience was quite enjoyable if we could put the political bias and thoughts aside.
One of the very shiny aspects of this book are the witty and mind-boggling quotes. Instagram would probably not allow me to post all of it in this caption, so I'm gonna share some of my favourites on my blog. So you are free to go and check it out.
Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous has stunned me in ways that are inarticulate, so I wouldn't call it entirely disappointing! It reads too easy and the narration is smooth as butter. Embedded with strong female characters and somewhat dark annotations, it creates an image at par with the likes of a satirical noir. If you are open minded enough, go for it!
Now getting back to the review, I must accept the fact that I have always been vocally apolitical. But I know how important this subject is, so I have never been ignorant. This book claims to be a work of fiction but truly, it is only a figment of it for most of the part is hugely based on real life events and persons. While some might find this book highly offensive (which is obvious, given Joseph's strong political views), others might enjoy this fiercely. To decide on which end of the bargain would I land up on, I had to rack my brains for quite a while. Now that I have been through it, I think its safe to say that the reading experience was quite enjoyable if we could put the political bias and thoughts aside.
One of the very shiny aspects of this book are the witty and mind-boggling quotes. Instagram would probably not allow me to post all of it in this caption, so I'm gonna share some of my favourites on my blog. So you are free to go and check it out.
Miss Laila, Armed and Dangerous has stunned me in ways that are inarticulate, so I wouldn't call it entirely disappointing! It reads too easy and the narration is smooth as butter. Embedded with strong female characters and somewhat dark annotations, it creates an image at par with the likes of a satirical noir. If you are open minded enough, go for it!
October 1, 2017
Underwhelming delivery built on a meaty premise. This is Manu Joseph's most overtly political novel yet, however I can't get rid of the feeling that the characters were written separately and cobbled up together to create a novel. Naturally, things are coming apart at the seams. Joseph pulls no punches, and drops names like anything. Akhila's story seems incomplete, not sure if that is intentional. Also could not get rid of the feeling that the book was much shorter than what it should ideally have been. Only probable reason I could think of is that the book was rushed, as the subject matter may not have been as relevant come next general elections. Anyhow, still a fan of Joseph's writing, and I will take him over whatever other contemporary Indian writers in English are churning out. Fingers crossed and hoping he did not peak with The Illicit Happiness of Other People.
October 13, 2017
A little over 2 stars, this book surprises me. The Illicit Happiness of Other People tops my list of 2016 reads and sadly this book doesn't live up to the expectations I had of Manu. The characters and the incidents that the book is based on are easily identifiable and lack a magic or punch or something. The story of Akhila's mom was an unnecessary add-on.
A fast read nevertheless, looking forward to read more of the author's exploration of human thoughts and feelings as in The Illicit Happiness of Other People
A fast read nevertheless, looking forward to read more of the author's exploration of human thoughts and feelings as in The Illicit Happiness of Other People
September 14, 2019
My views-
In my opinion, the book isn't fictional. It definately has sarcasm and satire and greatly Depiects the political scene of India.
Starting from a collapsing building, with the introduction of Akhila, communicating with a man trapped in the chaos, talking about a couple who eloped, the book is dramatic and has a thriller component. Laila comes in the scene with Mukundan and the story unfolds.
I loved both the females characters, very upfront and vocal. Damo is also an interesting character.
Also, this book made me dig about the incident a lot, i wanted to know about Marxisit and Leftist views. I didnt have in depth knowledge about it.
Overall, the book is Opinionated and courageous.
In my opinion, the book isn't fictional. It definately has sarcasm and satire and greatly Depiects the political scene of India.
Starting from a collapsing building, with the introduction of Akhila, communicating with a man trapped in the chaos, talking about a couple who eloped, the book is dramatic and has a thriller component. Laila comes in the scene with Mukundan and the story unfolds.
I loved both the females characters, very upfront and vocal. Damo is also an interesting character.
Also, this book made me dig about the incident a lot, i wanted to know about Marxisit and Leftist views. I didnt have in depth knowledge about it.
Overall, the book is Opinionated and courageous.
December 13, 2017
Very different book. I don't think I have read anything like it
May 25, 2022
It starts off very well but the last act was a bit muddled. Still, it was an interesting read.
October 3, 2023
2.5 stars. The book was brilliant in patches and gave some memorable quotes to remember. But the satire and plot (it would be insensitive to call it a plot since it's based on a real incident) gave away towards the end and the build-up of all characters ended up null and void. Mukundan was probably the only one character fleshed out with an intent to seek the reader's morality and sympathy.
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