Getting There

by Padmanabhan Manjula

Life in Bombay is getting tricky, as the author searches for love, weight loss and spiritual contentment. She sets off with her boyfriend for New York City, where the American dream appears on a plate - TV, food, and visits to the morgue. However, will Europe prove to be her spiritual home?

Genres: Nonfiction, India

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Uk Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book in 3 parts , as the writer describes her months spent in Bombay, New York and Holland .
A frank and endearing tale of discovery , in the turbulence that was India in the late 70s of the last century. But the most interesting narration is of the 2 odd months spent in Holland , in circumstances that keeps you engrossed with her adventures and more ,of her discovery about herself

[Ahtims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this peek into the very unconventional life of the author, much riveting. Despite having grown up in the seventies when the societal and cultural norms were much more constricting, the author has managed to be very uninhibited in thinking, Outlook and behavior. Found this very refreshing, though a bit eccentric at times.

Though I would balk at exhibiting the magnitude of courage and go to the extent to which she went in search of self realization, I thoroughly applaud her attitude.

Was very engrossed in the book. Wish there were pictures
Wanted to know how Piet, Jaff, Gai, and all the others looked like.

Came to know that the author's native place is Calicut. So is mine. This led to a feeling of kinship, though much misplaced.

[Nirmal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brave and candid memoirs. it is quite unconventional and honest in its portrayal of the heroine. it is loosely based on author's life. it is good in that.however there are simple and dull passages at times. Maybe some compression and crispness might have made it.more interesting.

[Anna Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow at first, but Getting There made me sit up and read on. Lots of soul searching and self-discovery. She takes personal risks.
Loved the book.

[okyrhoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

You could call this Eat, Pray, Love in reverse: the tale of a young educated Indian female who travels to the West in search of love, enlightenment, and self-fulfillment.
Although it doesn't intend to be that deep and meaningful, the novel does succeed in being so. Where Eat, Pray, Love stumbled by trying somewhat too hard to maintain gravity and import, Getting There's tongue-in-cheek and often comedic levity nicely balances the earnestness of the narrative, making it a credible account of the protagonist's journey to self-discovery.
Overall it's an enjoyable read.

[Jacqueline King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very readable but unexciting, for the most part. Written from the first person perspective, it explores the thoughts and feelings of a liberated young Indian woman in the early 1970's. She describes a series of events, her inner dialogue and feelings, in a detached, observant way. Near the end, I was of the mind that this was simply a pleasant travelogue of a different culture at a different time ~ interesting but not totally absorbing. Then, in a few sentences the author brought the purpose of her meanderings together and her words had an impact on me, a pleasant story, with a spiritual awakening at the end.

[Deepti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chiklit by an old woman!

[Chi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about finding one's place in the world

[Mona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11633370

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about travel and discovering yourself.

[Elisabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sparkingly funny? Must have missed that bit.