Delirious Delhi: Inside India's Incredible Capital

by David Prager

When the Big Apple no longer felt big enough, Dave Prager and his wife, Jenny, moved to a city of sixteen million people—with seemingly twice as many honking horns. Living and working in Delhi, the couple wrote about their travails and discoveries on their popular blog Our Delhi Struggle. This book, all new, is Dave’s top-to-bottom account of a megacity he describes as simultaneously ecstatic, hallucinatory, feverish, and hugely energizing. Weaving together useful observations and hilarious anecdotes, he covers what you need to know to enjoy the city and discover its its sprawling layout,some  favorite sites, the food, the markets, and the challenges of living in or visiting a city that presents every human extreme at once. Among his secrets that every Delhiite knows, including the key phrase for successfully negotiating with any shopkeeper; the most fascinating neighborhoods, and the trendiest; the realities behind common stereotypes; tips for enjoying street food and finding hidden restaurants, as well as navigating the transportation system; and the nuances of gestures like the famous Indian head bobble. Delirious Delhi is at once tribute to a great world city and an invitation to explore. Read it, and you’ll want to book the next flight!

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2013

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially, I was not keen on this as I felt it to be a bit of self-important, 'look at me the great traveller' type of book but I persevered and began to find it quite interesting.

The labelling of the expats into different times they stayed and how the long stayers were not bothered about making friends with the medium length stayers was amusing but you could see the logic when the author explained it.

I am not sure I agree with his view of Delhi becoming a city more like New York or Singapore in 30 + years time as the background of the people is so different but who knows they might be correct.

It's one man's experience of his time living and working in Delhi which he looks back on with fondness so it is told in a friendly and open minded way.