- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial (Nov 10 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 006153725X
- ISBN-13: 978-0061537257
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.3 x 1.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 227 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #746,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The patriarch of a chaotic family living in a hectic land must come to terms with himself and what he's wrought at home and at work in this excellent debut. Rakesh Ahuja battles the twin bedlams of his sprawling family and overcrowded home city of New Delhi while simultaneously trying to save his career as the minister of urban development. Rakesh attempts to manipulate and cajole his way through the corrupt and sometimes illogical Indian civil service, often finding himself embroiled in absurd intrigues. Home is no less fraught, where his 13 children battle each other for their often-absent father's love. The lone exception is Arjun, the eldest, whose adolescent rebellion and nascent romantic inclinations prompt him to form a rock band and pull away from his frenetic family. As Rakesh clumsily reaches out to his first-born son, the twists of fate that shaped both their lives are revealed, providing a portrait of a family that is both comical and heartbreaking. Mahajan's effortless blending of comedy and tragedy is irresistible and should help his book stand out. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“Mahajan’s sprightly first novel portrays India’s capital—10 million strong—in all its explosive fecundity. . . . Mahajan is only 24 years old, but he has already developed an irresistible voice with a rich sense of humor fueled by sorrow.” (Ron Charles, The Washington Post Book World )
“A spot-on satire of Indian family life, globalization, and intergenerational strife.” (The New York Post )
“Karan Mahajan is a natural—a masterful storyteller, an assured stylist and a gentle satirist whose unblinking vision is ultimately tempered by compassion. Family Planning is an incredibly accomplished debut. More than a fine first novel, it’s one of the best comic novels I’ve read in years.” (Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City )
“An excellent debut. . . . A portrait of family that is both comical and heartbreaking. . . . Mahajan’s effortless blending of comedy and tragedy is irresistible.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Sharply written, bracingly funny, and unexpectedly moving—Karan Mahajan combines ‘take no prisoners’ satire with haunting insights into the human condition.” (Manil Suri )
“An entertaining expose of a unique family.” (Booklist )
“A delightfully entertaining novel about father-son conflict that readers from just about any culture can appreciate. . . . Mahajan interjects hilarity throughout otherwise tense and poignant moments of family drama. . . . Strongly recommended.” (Library Journal )
“Brave, breackneck, and amusing. . . . A fearless cultural domestic tour. . . . Irreverent, fresh, and sometimes, given its author’s youth, preternaturally wise.” (The San Francisco Chronicle )
“The truest portrait of modern New Delhi I’ve read, and the funniest book of the year.” (Suketu Mehta, The Daily Beast )
“Comic novels, full of loveable eccentrics and sly social commentary, seem to be one of ‘new’ India’s main exports; this is one of the sharpest and funniest examples.” (The Times (London) )
“Mahajan is only 24 years old, but he has a mature and impressive grasp of poignant comedy and has opened up Delhi to western readers in a way that a more overtly politicised novel may not.” (The Observer (London) )
“A spot-on satire of Indian family life, globalization, and intergenerational strife.” (The New York Post )
“Karan Mahajan is a natural—a masterful storyteller, an assured stylist and a gentle satirist whose unblinking vision is ultimately tempered by compassion. Family Planning is an incredibly accomplished debut. More than a fine first novel, it’s one of the best comic novels I’ve read in years.” (Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City )
“An excellent debut. . . . A portrait of family that is both comical and heartbreaking. . . . Mahajan’s effortless blending of comedy and tragedy is irresistible.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Sharply written, bracingly funny, and unexpectedly moving—Karan Mahajan combines ‘take no prisoners’ satire with haunting insights into the human condition.” (Manil Suri )
“An entertaining expose of a unique family.” (Booklist )
“A delightfully entertaining novel about father-son conflict that readers from just about any culture can appreciate. . . . Mahajan interjects hilarity throughout otherwise tense and poignant moments of family drama. . . . Strongly recommended.” (Library Journal )
“Brave, breackneck, and amusing. . . . A fearless cultural domestic tour. . . . Irreverent, fresh, and sometimes, given its author’s youth, preternaturally wise.” (The San Francisco Chronicle )
“The truest portrait of modern New Delhi I’ve read, and the funniest book of the year.” (Suketu Mehta, The Daily Beast )
“Comic novels, full of loveable eccentrics and sly social commentary, seem to be one of ‘new’ India’s main exports; this is one of the sharpest and funniest examples.” (The Times (London) )
“Mahajan is only 24 years old, but he has a mature and impressive grasp of poignant comedy and has opened up Delhi to western readers in a way that a more overtly politicised novel may not.” (The Observer (London) )
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4.2 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dilly in Delhi, July 21 2009
By Dick Johnson - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (Paperback)
Our hero is a politician and father of thirteen - all still at home. I don't know which is scarier: a politician raising his own voter base; or raising thirteen kids. Thankfully, the terror stops there.The fun, however, starts on page one and continues throughout the book. We have family follies and political pandemonium; coming-of-age and first-love; and lots of children.
I felt as if Mahajan was sitting next to me telling me the story; the writing was that real and 'friendly'. I am amazed that this is a first book. This being the P.S. edition, we also get the additional material from him in the back of the book.
Grab this one if you want to have fun and enjoy a satiric look at part of the life of India.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mature writing & insight from such a young author, Jan 6 2009
By Pia Gschossmann - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (Paperback)
Great new debut by such a young author with such insight into family situations. A must read for anyone interested in contemporary writing about India as well as the Indian culture. Looking forward to his next book!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and Touching, Dec 15 2008
By Mary Lins - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (Paperback)
I bought "Family Planning" right after hearing an interview with the young author, Karan Mahajan, on NPR. It was an impulse buy based on how intelligent and witty Mr. Mahajan had been in the interview; I was not disappointed. It's a delightful coming-of-age story and very humorous, which is not something I usually associate with tales set in Delhi, India. I'll be watching for more form this promising young man.
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