Genre: Fiction
Pages: 36
Publisher: Self-published
Published: May 2021
Buy on Amazon | Buy on Pothi.com
Summary and Story:
A romantic at heart, Aavishka expects her married life to be a romance novel come alive. Complete with white picket fences. She is in for a rude shock as her husband Atharv is far from perfect. On the contrary, he is a mysterious man full of secrets. In turn, she finds herself living a life that she had never imagined.
This is the story of the titular character, Aavishka, which spans over a decade and a half. It is about how marriage changed her as a person and how she dealt with it.
Review:
Marriage is not black and white. It has different shades of various colors.
The blurb of the book had intrigued me when I first came across it. The purpose of my blog is also to promote upcoming authors. Cindy is a fellow blogger and an amazing person. Aavishka is her first published fiction book. You might know her from her immensely popular blog, Blogaberry.com. She is also one-half of the Blogaberry Dazzle team. A disclaimer. It has in no way influenced my review of the book.
The book is categorized as romance, but it is more of a pragmatic look at the reality of marriage. A reality a lot of Indian women face. The gaslighting, the need to control, and the constant put-downs. Definitely no rose-tinted glasses here. A short read of under fifty pages, it can be read in one sitting. What’s more, although it is technically a short story, it reads like a full-length one. Quite a feat from a debut author.
Although the book is a work of fiction, it is based on a true story. It is about a positive, independent woman reduced to a mere shadow of herself over the years. There are moments where you want to shake up Aavishka and hope she dumps her husband. But let’s be real, that is not always easy. Particularly in a country like India.
Morality and ethics. It is human nature to justify our actions and believe we are doing the right thing.
The plot primarily revolves around the couple. There are others characters too, but I don’t want to give too much away. The characters are well-etched and the book is also well-paced. It is not at all sad and dreary. In fact, true to her name, Aavishka attempts to reinvent herself time and again. Whether or not she is successful is something you would have to read the book to find out.
What I did find refreshing was that we are made privy to Atharv’s point of view too. In no way does the author justify his behavior. Instead of creating a one-dimensional negative character, she attempts to give us an insight into what drives him to behave the way he does.
The author raises a pertinent question at the end of the book. Why do people enjoy poking their noses where they do not belong? Married couples are often harassed with questions like “when are you giving us the good news”, “Why haven’t you had a kid yet, time is running out”. And often much worse. These well-wishers (not) are not aware of what the couple might be going through. The couple does not owe anyone an explanation for their personal decisions or provide a timeframe. It is time people minded their own business.
Crisper editing would have worked well but it is a great attempt by a first-time author nonetheless. I personally did not agree with the ending. But then, I completely respect the author’s prerogative. It is her story to tell.
I am looking forward to reading more works of fiction by Cindy. If you enjoy realistic stories, I recommend you pick up the book.
Aavishka by Cindy Ann D'Silva Book Review #BookReview @cindyanndsilva @nooranand #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
About Cindy Ann D’Silva:
Cindy Ann D’Silva is a blogger, influencer, content writer, and a belly dance instructor. Prior to this, she had a full-time job and sang with a band and choir in Kuwait, where she was born and bred. Currently, she resides in Bangalore with her husband and two kids.
You can find more of her writings on her lifestyle blog Blogaberry.com or follow her on Instagram.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy.
This post may contain affiliate links.
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay
August 18, 2021 @ 11:39 pm
Thank you Ritu for your honest review. Appreciate the feedback and will surely try and make it better the next time around.
August 20, 2021 @ 10:50 am
My pleasure, Cindy 😊. I enjoyed reading the book. Looking forward to more works of fiction by you.
August 20, 2021 @ 9:09 am
I like the idea of the novel. Marriage really isn’t a straightforward fairy tale.
August 20, 2021 @ 10:51 am
That is what piqued my interest too, Tulika. Thank you so much for stopping by. 😊
August 21, 2021 @ 8:05 pm
I think most of the Indian women go through this , before marriage they live in a fantasy world where a prince charming will come on a white horse and would take her to a dream world. Reality is different.
Than they learn how to adjust and still Smile , for the sake of thier family and for the sake of her image in society.
Would like to read this book 🙂
Ghazala
August 28, 2021 @ 7:11 pm
That is so true Ghazala. Do pick up the book.
August 20, 2021 @ 9:52 pm
Interesting choice of topic for a book! I want to pick it up to know why you didn’t agree with the ending. And I also want to know what Atharv’s point of view is and how he justifies his behavior.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:12 pm
Ha ha 😊. I am rather picky when it comes to this topic. Curious to know what your thoughts are.
August 20, 2021 @ 11:25 am
There are so many stories around the subtle complexities of marriage and the fact that they are being written and spoken of at a time and age when we think there’s more awareness around these topics, suggests that human relationships will never leave the ‘complicated’ tag. Thank you for this review Ritu.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:13 pm
So true, Sonia. Nothing is ever black or white. Thank you so much for stopping by. 😊
August 20, 2021 @ 4:32 pm
I have a lot of respect for the way Cindy writes. However, I wasn’t aware of this book – it seems like a very interesting one! Will surely check it out! Thank you for writing this review!
August 23, 2021 @ 8:47 am
Life is not a fairy tale, and most of the girls are kept in the shell of fairy tales and it becomes difficult to break that shell. Would read is book for sure, it seems so relatable in today’s world.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:14 pm
Exactly Pooja. All the knight in shining armor and stuff. Do pick up the book.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:14 pm
It is really well written, Mayura. Do pick it up.
August 20, 2021 @ 6:07 pm
Marriage is not as per our expectation and imagination. I would like to read this book. Thank you for the review.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:15 pm
I agree. It can be a reality check.
August 20, 2021 @ 10:50 pm
Always appreciate your honest reviews, Ritu. Aavishka sounds like a book I would enjoy reading, and I am looking forward to doing so soon. Yes, the eye-catching cover was a bid draw for me as well.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
Thank you so much Mayuri for your constant support. 😊 The cover is indeed eye catching too.
August 21, 2021 @ 2:09 am
This cover picture and the review perfectly created the urge in me to read this book. I would surely read this fiction as it is interesting the plot is a different kind of.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
True Pamela. Do pick it up.
August 21, 2021 @ 7:21 am
That’s such a lovely concept. Yes, marriage is not so simple. It can be messy or complicated. Everyday brings some surprises. Your review is also very instigating.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:22 pm
It indeed is Shreemayee.
August 21, 2021 @ 11:26 am
Cindy’s book is in my TBR and your review wants me to skip that list and pick her book right away. Thanks for such a wonderful review
August 28, 2021 @ 7:23 pm
Thank you Suhasini. I am so glad to know that. TBRs are never really meant to be followed 😁
August 21, 2021 @ 5:29 pm
Marriage is not a fairy tale! Till the time we get to accept this, life shows us a considerable amount of ups and downs. Thanks for your honest review Ritu, Cindy’s novel is on my tbr list
August 28, 2021 @ 7:24 pm
Thank you Aditi. 😊 Quite true, it is quite unlike what fairy tales would like us to believe.
August 21, 2021 @ 7:52 pm
Amazing review Ritu… you really made me curious enough to grab my copy soon….the plot is really interesting. Thanks for sharing such an honest and interesting review.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:25 pm
Thank you so much Smita 😊
August 21, 2021 @ 10:16 pm
I had heard of Cindy’s book but didn’t know what it was about. Love your forthright reviews, Ritu. The way you said that it needs editing and you didn’t like the ending will surely make Cindy to keep a note next time.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:26 pm
Thank you Harjeet. 😊 I am so glad Cindy took the feedback positively.
August 22, 2021 @ 12:19 am
Liked your honest review of the book. The book seems interesting and I personally found the cover very attractive will check it out.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:26 pm
Thank you Manisha 😊
August 22, 2021 @ 2:42 am
I’ve been hearing positive reviews for Cindy’s book and I’m glad you did the same. Love your honesty in the review. Will try to pick it up
August 28, 2021 @ 7:26 pm
Thank you Sindhu 😊
August 22, 2021 @ 12:23 pm
This book has been on my list for the longest time. I have fallen back on my reading with too much work and an eye issue which has cut down my digital time drastically. Want to read this one. Thanks for the lovely review.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
I hope you are doing better now. I can completely relate with falling back on reading due to work. Audiobooks during the morning walks are often the only time I get to read.
August 22, 2021 @ 12:46 pm
Intriguing topic of the book. I liked the review it just reveals information to tempt for the reading. I will pick up this book.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:29 pm
Thank you Mehul
August 22, 2021 @ 4:33 pm
Cindy’s books are always great and have a different genre and topic. This one also seems very interesting. Your review is very honest and fresh. Loved it!
August 28, 2021 @ 7:29 pm
Thank you Shail 😊
August 22, 2021 @ 5:22 pm
The book looks interesting. I really liked the concept of the book. The realities of marriage. You have been after me to read it.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
And I am going to keep bugging you. 😈
August 22, 2021 @ 5:37 pm
Congratulations Cindy for your debut book. Would definitely give it shot.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
😊
August 22, 2021 @ 11:13 pm
I haven’t read Cindy’s book but now that I see it’s only 36 pages and an easy read, I feel compelled to pick it up! Thanks for the balanced review!
August 28, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Thank you Noor. 😊
August 22, 2021 @ 11:39 pm
Loved the idea of the book based on reality and not a Princess and Prince charming. It’s good to know that both the sides have been explained and I wld like to know more… Nice detailed review.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:19 pm
True Seema. It is unlike romances that are all rainbows and chocolates.
August 23, 2021 @ 3:50 am
I like Cindy’s writing style. Read her non fiction one and would love to read her fiction book as well. Sounds like an interesting read.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:18 pm
Me too, Abha. I have yet to read her non-fiction one. I am sure it is equally good.
August 23, 2021 @ 1:11 pm
Congratulations Cindy for the book. I am sure I would love reading this story after getting a nice review.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:08 pm
Thank you Bhawna 😊 Do pick it up.
August 28, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Thank you Mehul 😊