Nxg

BOOK REVIEW Delhi or Chennai? Rinki soon realises that it involves more than just simple decisions. CANDICE MACEDO

Title: Sweet Sixteen (Yeah, right!)

Author: Vibha Batra

Publisher: Penguin Books

Price: Rs. 199

Want a peek into the crazy world of a 21st Century teenager? Vibha Batra’s Sweet Sixteen (Yea,right!), does just that. Fun filled and entertaining with oodles of freshness, it takes us through the life of Rinki Tripati and her conservative parents. Rinki’s world is turned upside down when her dad breaks the news that he has been transferred. They have to leave Delhi and settle down in Chennai. She is distraught that she has to leave her BFF Ankitha (Who else would patiently listen to all her problems?) Teen aches The story unfolds in the form of Facebook status updates and a playlist of songs that describe her moods, thoughts and feelings.

Rinki finds herself transported from the land of paranthas, golgappas, jelabis, lassi and Delhi Daredevils to the land of sambar rice, medhu vadas, filter-kapi, Rajnikanth jokes and Chennai Super Kings. School life in grade XI is typical with the great divide between the Science and Commerce group, nicknames for teachers, sports and culturals. At first it’s Chennai-0 and Delhi-1. Soon, Chennai heats up with Tejas (who, according to Rinki, would give Robert Pattinson a run for his money) and the ‘butterfly’ Priya (his ex with a flawless complexion) hovering around in the background. All too soon the year comes to an end and it’s time to say farewell to her seniors, including Tejas. Her score card now reads Chennai-1 and Delhi-0.

In all, it’s an amusing and interesting book with light ironic jabs at cricketers, movie stars and elders in general. Ideal for a quick read on a Saturday evening with tea and snacks. In the end, sooner or later, everybody falls in love with namma Chennai, just like you and me.

Popularity: 1% [?]