Sharma, Akhil. Family life, W.W.Norton & Co.New York,2014. Hardcover, 224 pages 

Rating:  -2/10

If I were to prepare a list of my “bottom ten books ever” this book will figure in it. It’s the first book in this column of reviews with a negative rating. I could have been charitable and given it a zero, but the last sentence of the book took it into the negative zone. It showed that the author is confused, doesn’t know how to finish the book, or worse- like certain ultra-abstract painters- is out to fool those who praise whatever they don’t understand. Certainly, there is an element of dishonesty right at the start. The blurb mentions Indian emergency, a historic period of two years for any Indian born before the sixties. However, the book contains nothing connected to emergency. Reminded me of Netherland by Joseph O’Neill that begins with a murder. But till the end of the novel, the murder is neither explained nor resolved. For such dishonesty, writers should be taken to criminal courts, or if that’s not possible ostracized by the readers.

Family life is one long depressing story with the author talking about his brother meeting with an accident in a swimming pool, entering a permanent coma, and the life of his family as a result of that tragedy. Any good story or a novel, like stock markets, should have ups and downs – conflicts, resolution of conflicts, new conflicts. This book is absolutely flat – down, down, down. The language is pedestrian. Setting is essentially the USA, but we hardly feel we are in that country. The book could have been written by someone who has never been to the USA. Apparently, the book is autobiographical. If true, it would have been better as an autobiography or a memoir, showing more passion and sincerity. Reportedly, the author took 13 years to write this book. It’s an incredible feat to spend thirteen years to write such trash.

There are books that are well written, and books that are well marketed. This book belongs to the second category. The cover is well designed. Font and spacing will allow forty-year olds to run through the book without reading glasses. The reviews in the British and American newspapers would make you think this is a modern classic. The author or the publisher or both have managed to post innumerable readers’ reviews with high ratings on Amazon. (The reviews are better written than the book itself).

Some paintings in the world are sold for millions. Nobody except the buyers or reviewers understands why. More than the book itself, it is depressing that a book like family life gets published, receives rave reviews, and was recommended for my book club.

Verdict: Don’t.