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The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta
Anuradha Marwah-Roy is erudite, has a way with words and compels attention.’
– Khushwant Singh
‘Roy’s remarkable first novel, intelligently crafted, touchingly told.’
– The Times of India
‘The book is wholly modern and yet Indian enough, is fluently written and easily read.’
– The Hindustan Times
‘point(s) to an indigenous state of good literary health.’
– Professor Meenakshi Mukherjee
Meet Geetika Mehendiratta, born into a family of modest means and progressive ways, in a place where ‘there was nothing to do except cry, make a phone call or masturbate’.
Desertvadi, Rajasthan is a retirees’ paradise, but a claustrophobic nightmare for a young girl. Especially one steeped in stories from faraway lands where people lived liberated, extraordinary lives on which novels upon novels are written. Geetika thrives on fiction and in her academics, but the prospect of living out her youth circumscribed by small-town mediocrity begins to suffocate her.
So when an opportunity to spend a few weeks in the big, bustling Lutyenabad presents itself, Geetika leaps at it, eager to get away from her parents and the miasma of chronic boredom that envelopes Desertvadi. But she’s hardly prepared for how the metropolis is about to fling the windows of her mind wide open. Soon, her aspirations inflate in proportion to her dreams; her tastes evolve and her ambitions solidify. She has a new goal to master the ways of Lutyenabad.
But even as the cosmopolitan life begins to feel like a snug fit and her steady boyfriend, a famously fine catch, offers her a corollary to a conventional marriage, Geetika wallows in doubt. When her reverie inevitably shatters, Geetika is compelled to face some tough questions.
Whose was this life she was living? How can she make it her own? Geetika finally finds a resolution in a startling new life choice.
Republished for the first time since 1993, The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious and heartening coming-of-age story of a girl and a culture; a delightful meditation on the complexities of simpler times.
– Khushwant Singh
‘Roy’s remarkable first novel, intelligently crafted, touchingly told.’
– The Times of India
‘The book is wholly modern and yet Indian enough, is fluently written and easily read.’
– The Hindustan Times
‘point(s) to an indigenous state of good literary health.’
– Professor Meenakshi Mukherjee
Meet Geetika Mehendiratta, born into a family of modest means and progressive ways, in a place where ‘there was nothing to do except cry, make a phone call or masturbate’.
Desertvadi, Rajasthan is a retirees’ paradise, but a claustrophobic nightmare for a young girl. Especially one steeped in stories from faraway lands where people lived liberated, extraordinary lives on which novels upon novels are written. Geetika thrives on fiction and in her academics, but the prospect of living out her youth circumscribed by small-town mediocrity begins to suffocate her.
So when an opportunity to spend a few weeks in the big, bustling Lutyenabad presents itself, Geetika leaps at it, eager to get away from her parents and the miasma of chronic boredom that envelopes Desertvadi. But she’s hardly prepared for how the metropolis is about to fling the windows of her mind wide open. Soon, her aspirations inflate in proportion to her dreams; her tastes evolve and her ambitions solidify. She has a new goal to master the ways of Lutyenabad.
But even as the cosmopolitan life begins to feel like a snug fit and her steady boyfriend, a famously fine catch, offers her a corollary to a conventional marriage, Geetika wallows in doubt. When her reverie inevitably shatters, Geetika is compelled to face some tough questions.
Whose was this life she was living? How can she make it her own? Geetika finally finds a resolution in a startling new life choice.
Republished for the first time since 1993, The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious and heartening coming-of-age story of a girl and a culture; a delightful meditation on the complexities of simpler times.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2022
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 31, 2025
On the surface, it appears to be just another story of a girl trying to escape an average life for her dreams, only to get engulfed in a stream when she probably didn’t know how to swim. But I assure you, it’s so much more!
I was surprised to learn that this book was originally published in 1993. The topics discussed are, frankly, quite forward for those times. Though some social stigmas align with that era, they still prevail in our society even today.
I loved the themes in here, all of them. From the expectations of maintaining platonic relationships before marriage, to accepting mediocrity, social circle pressure, old school mindsets, forcing people to live together even when they don’t get along, to life, endings, and new beginnings, all are swamped together in an emotional turmoil, weighed on the balance scale of life.
Pick this up when you are stable enough to deal with the lemons life throws at you and can probably make a mocktail out of it.
I was surprised to learn that this book was originally published in 1993. The topics discussed are, frankly, quite forward for those times. Though some social stigmas align with that era, they still prevail in our society even today.
I loved the themes in here, all of them. From the expectations of maintaining platonic relationships before marriage, to accepting mediocrity, social circle pressure, old school mindsets, forcing people to live together even when they don’t get along, to life, endings, and new beginnings, all are swamped together in an emotional turmoil, weighed on the balance scale of life.
Pick this up when you are stable enough to deal with the lemons life throws at you and can probably make a mocktail out of it.
September 3, 2025
If you’ve ever felt restless in a small town, curious about life beyond your comfort zone, or hungry to define yourself on your own terms, "The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta " will feel like it was written just for you. Geetika is that rare protagonist who is smart, unapologetically curious, and endlessly human—sometimes insecure, sometimes impulsive, but always alive in her contradictions. You can’t help but cheer for her, laugh with her, and sometimes quietly sigh alongside her as she navigates the messy, exhilarating path of growing up.
Desertvadi, her sleepy small-town home, feels almost like a cage. You can sense the weight of small-town expectations pressing in on her, the monotony, the whispers, and the quiet boundaries she longs to escape. When she moves to the bustling, chaotic world of Lutyenabad, the city wraps around her like a new coat—exhilarating, overwhelming, and brimming with possibilities. Every choice she makes, every fleeting thrill or misstep, draws you in, and you feel her excitement, hesitation, and quiet triumphs as if they were your own.
For me, Geetika’s journey is unforgettable because of her courage to explore life on her own terms. She refuses to apologize for wanting, for dreaming, for choosing—and in her, I see a mirror of anyone who has ever dared to carve their own path. Watching her grow, stumble, and reflect is both inspiring and comforting. She isn’t perfect, but that’s exactly what makes her feel so real. Her story is about identity, desire, and the quiet power of claiming your own space in a world that often wants to define you.
What makes this story even more special is its warmth and honesty. The author captures Geetika’s restless heart, her humor, her tiny rebellions, and her moments of vulnerability with such intimacy that you feel like a close friend is inviting you into her world. The novel is witty, tender, and deeply reflective, balancing laughter, longing, and the bittersweet realities of growing up.
Even decades after its first publication, this novel still feels fresh, intimate, and urgent—timeless in its exploration of ambition, love, and self-discovery. It’s a story that lingers, that makes you reflect on your own dreams and choices, and that stays with you long after the last page. If you want a book that will make you laugh, feel, and root for a young woman who refuses to settle, this is one to savor. Read it slowly, let yourself grow alongside Geetika, and carry a little of her fearless, restless spirit with you.
Desertvadi, her sleepy small-town home, feels almost like a cage. You can sense the weight of small-town expectations pressing in on her, the monotony, the whispers, and the quiet boundaries she longs to escape. When she moves to the bustling, chaotic world of Lutyenabad, the city wraps around her like a new coat—exhilarating, overwhelming, and brimming with possibilities. Every choice she makes, every fleeting thrill or misstep, draws you in, and you feel her excitement, hesitation, and quiet triumphs as if they were your own.
For me, Geetika’s journey is unforgettable because of her courage to explore life on her own terms. She refuses to apologize for wanting, for dreaming, for choosing—and in her, I see a mirror of anyone who has ever dared to carve their own path. Watching her grow, stumble, and reflect is both inspiring and comforting. She isn’t perfect, but that’s exactly what makes her feel so real. Her story is about identity, desire, and the quiet power of claiming your own space in a world that often wants to define you.
What makes this story even more special is its warmth and honesty. The author captures Geetika’s restless heart, her humor, her tiny rebellions, and her moments of vulnerability with such intimacy that you feel like a close friend is inviting you into her world. The novel is witty, tender, and deeply reflective, balancing laughter, longing, and the bittersweet realities of growing up.
Even decades after its first publication, this novel still feels fresh, intimate, and urgent—timeless in its exploration of ambition, love, and self-discovery. It’s a story that lingers, that makes you reflect on your own dreams and choices, and that stays with you long after the last page. If you want a book that will make you laugh, feel, and root for a young woman who refuses to settle, this is one to savor. Read it slowly, let yourself grow alongside Geetika, and carry a little of her fearless, restless spirit with you.
October 25, 2025
I remember reading Anuradha Marwah’s Aunties of Vasant Kunj last year and enjoying it enough to rate it 4 out of 5. This year, I came across another book by her titled “The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta.” I was surprised to see that she had written another book within a year, but only after reading the back cover did I realize that it was originally published in 1993. It has now been republished by Rupa Publications in 2025, spanning around 225 pages. Since the author had already impressed me with her previous work, I didn’t think twice before picking this one up.
The book reads like a chick-lit novel, the kind that became popular after Chetan Bhagat during the decade of 2010–2020. However, it’s fascinating to discover that Anuradha had written this story almost ten years before Bhagat even came into the picture. The language isn’t overly simple — it takes a little time to get into the rhythm — but her command over literary English becomes evident within the first few pages itself.
The character of Geetika begins by describing her locality, particularly her village named Desertvadi in Rajasthan. It’s fun to read such a fictional name because you can almost guess which real towns it might be inspired by. The author very wittily portrays the lifestyle of people living in such a place, completely detached from the urban way of life.
You also get a glimpse of how girls were ambitious even in those days, despite growing up in rural settings. Geetika’s dreams come true when she gets an opportunity to visit Lutyenabad — a full-blown city that people from Desertvadi aspire to reach. She makes the most of it, never restricting herself from making choices that would have been unthinkable back in her hometown. It’s exciting to read how she transforms her mindset and personality once she becomes a regular at Lutyenabad.
Her growing interest in boys, and the way her thoughts and feelings differ when she interacts with Andy and Ratish, are portrayed beautifully. You can clearly sense how a woman reflects deeply when it comes to marriage — knowing that compromise is inevitable; it’s only a matter of how much. Anuradha makes this dilemma very relatable through Geetika’s inner conflict.
Geetika’s experiences with her parents and in-laws reveal how she manages to liberate herself despite so many external factors trying to confine her. The book feels like a girl’s diary, chronicling her dreams while showing the heavy price she pays for living them each day. Her support from a few friends — and their surprise at her constant evolution — reflects the author’s understanding of how individuals often get trapped by societal expectations and slowly lose the ability to make unbiased decisions.
The last four lines of the book truly moved me — the part where Geetika speaks with her papa. It made me think about people who live courageously, knowing they’ll be judged even by their own family, yet choose to stay strong for what lies ahead.
Overall, The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta was a joy to read. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Thanks!
WRITING BUDDHA
The book reads like a chick-lit novel, the kind that became popular after Chetan Bhagat during the decade of 2010–2020. However, it’s fascinating to discover that Anuradha had written this story almost ten years before Bhagat even came into the picture. The language isn’t overly simple — it takes a little time to get into the rhythm — but her command over literary English becomes evident within the first few pages itself.
The character of Geetika begins by describing her locality, particularly her village named Desertvadi in Rajasthan. It’s fun to read such a fictional name because you can almost guess which real towns it might be inspired by. The author very wittily portrays the lifestyle of people living in such a place, completely detached from the urban way of life.
You also get a glimpse of how girls were ambitious even in those days, despite growing up in rural settings. Geetika’s dreams come true when she gets an opportunity to visit Lutyenabad — a full-blown city that people from Desertvadi aspire to reach. She makes the most of it, never restricting herself from making choices that would have been unthinkable back in her hometown. It’s exciting to read how she transforms her mindset and personality once she becomes a regular at Lutyenabad.
Her growing interest in boys, and the way her thoughts and feelings differ when she interacts with Andy and Ratish, are portrayed beautifully. You can clearly sense how a woman reflects deeply when it comes to marriage — knowing that compromise is inevitable; it’s only a matter of how much. Anuradha makes this dilemma very relatable through Geetika’s inner conflict.
Geetika’s experiences with her parents and in-laws reveal how she manages to liberate herself despite so many external factors trying to confine her. The book feels like a girl’s diary, chronicling her dreams while showing the heavy price she pays for living them each day. Her support from a few friends — and their surprise at her constant evolution — reflects the author’s understanding of how individuals often get trapped by societal expectations and slowly lose the ability to make unbiased decisions.
The last four lines of the book truly moved me — the part where Geetika speaks with her papa. It made me think about people who live courageously, knowing they’ll be judged even by their own family, yet choose to stay strong for what lies ahead.
Overall, The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta was a joy to read. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Thanks!
WRITING BUDDHA
September 20, 2025
"...otherwise for most Indian men, it is the foregone conclusion: marriage, children and the sickening domesticity. And the wife who has to bear the whole burden of it". ( some hard hitting lines from the book)
Book- The Higher Education Of Geetika Mehendiratta
Author- Anuradha Marwah
Genre- Contemporary/Coming-of-age fiction
This book was first published in 1993 and was one of India's earliest campus novels.
#plot
For a young,ambitious girl like Geetika, the sleepy town of Desertvadi in Rajasthan felt like a suffocating cage. She felt bored by the monotony of this small place. She also didn't like conservative environment and longed to escape from here. So when she gets an opportunity to go to vibrant city of Lutyenabad, Geetika seizes it with anticipation. Here, she discovers a new sense of freedom. Even her lovelife promised both stability and comfort. But the urban world throws challenges in her life in ways she had not foreseen. Geetika has to face many difficult situations that come with chasing freedom and modern living.
#bookreview
What made me pick up this book was the interesting blurb. Also the vibrant eye catching cover.
The story follows Geetika’s personal growth, identity struggles, and self-discovery. I like Geetika’s character as raw and unapologetic. The story highlights small-town conservatism, urban pretensions, and societal expectations. It also talks about the contradictions of Indian society in the 90s that are still relevant. It’s about finding your own place in a world that wants to label you. The tension between the character and the societal expectations is well highlighted. Overall a good one but i found it slow paced which made me loose interest sometimes. You will find it relatable if you have ever dreamed of breaking free from chains. If you like story with themes of conservative vs modernity, self discovery, personal growth then you are likely to enjoy this
Book- The Higher Education Of Geetika Mehendiratta
Author- Anuradha Marwah
Genre- Contemporary/Coming-of-age fiction
This book was first published in 1993 and was one of India's earliest campus novels.
#plot
For a young,ambitious girl like Geetika, the sleepy town of Desertvadi in Rajasthan felt like a suffocating cage. She felt bored by the monotony of this small place. She also didn't like conservative environment and longed to escape from here. So when she gets an opportunity to go to vibrant city of Lutyenabad, Geetika seizes it with anticipation. Here, she discovers a new sense of freedom. Even her lovelife promised both stability and comfort. But the urban world throws challenges in her life in ways she had not foreseen. Geetika has to face many difficult situations that come with chasing freedom and modern living.
#bookreview
What made me pick up this book was the interesting blurb. Also the vibrant eye catching cover.
The story follows Geetika’s personal growth, identity struggles, and self-discovery. I like Geetika’s character as raw and unapologetic. The story highlights small-town conservatism, urban pretensions, and societal expectations. It also talks about the contradictions of Indian society in the 90s that are still relevant. It’s about finding your own place in a world that wants to label you. The tension between the character and the societal expectations is well highlighted. Overall a good one but i found it slow paced which made me loose interest sometimes. You will find it relatable if you have ever dreamed of breaking free from chains. If you like story with themes of conservative vs modernity, self discovery, personal growth then you are likely to enjoy this
September 17, 2025
It had been a while since I picked up a coming-of-age novel set in India. There’s a unique charm to campus novels from the 90s before social media and mobile phones became omnipresent.
The cover and blurb of this book reminded me of Anuja Chauhan’s novels, but the story turned out to be far from that. The opening line sets the tone perfectly: 'It was morning. I didn’t have to go to college till 10:30 am. There was nothing to do except cry, make a phone call or masturbate.'
Geetika, the protagonist, hails from the small town of Desertvadi but refuses to be confined by its conservative values. She dreams of moving to a big city like Lutyenabad and when the chance arrives, she takes it. The challenges that follow aren’t what she expected, but it’s within those challenges that her growth and transformation unfold.
The book beautifully captures the inner conflicts of a young woman caught between a society that is both conservative and 'progressively' hypocritical - mocking her small-town roots on one hand while slut-shaming her for embracing big-city values on the other. What stood out for me is that Geetika is never reduced to a caricature. She is complex, flawed, real and she holds up a mirror to society while unapologetically finding her own voice.
I especially enjoyed the sections where she volunteers at an all-Asia sports meet hosted in India. The satirical take on the sad state of how such events are managed was sharp, witty, and full of insights.
If you’re looking for a coming-of-age novel set in India, this one deserves a place on your TBR. Its themes are just as relevant today as when it was first published.
The cover and blurb of this book reminded me of Anuja Chauhan’s novels, but the story turned out to be far from that. The opening line sets the tone perfectly: 'It was morning. I didn’t have to go to college till 10:30 am. There was nothing to do except cry, make a phone call or masturbate.'
Geetika, the protagonist, hails from the small town of Desertvadi but refuses to be confined by its conservative values. She dreams of moving to a big city like Lutyenabad and when the chance arrives, she takes it. The challenges that follow aren’t what she expected, but it’s within those challenges that her growth and transformation unfold.
The book beautifully captures the inner conflicts of a young woman caught between a society that is both conservative and 'progressively' hypocritical - mocking her small-town roots on one hand while slut-shaming her for embracing big-city values on the other. What stood out for me is that Geetika is never reduced to a caricature. She is complex, flawed, real and she holds up a mirror to society while unapologetically finding her own voice.
I especially enjoyed the sections where she volunteers at an all-Asia sports meet hosted in India. The satirical take on the sad state of how such events are managed was sharp, witty, and full of insights.
If you’re looking for a coming-of-age novel set in India, this one deserves a place on your TBR. Its themes are just as relevant today as when it was first published.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews