The one thing this book can guarantee is a pleasant laugh and a healthy dose of vocabulary improvement. Excess Baggage is a fun read with nuggets of wisdom strewn around. It is a welcome change in terms of the topic as it explores a mother-daughter relationship with a slightly unique perspective.
A little about Author Richa S Mukherjee
Richa is a poet, ex-journalist and an old hand in the advertising industry. She has been a TOI Write India winner, a blogger and travel writer. This is her third book.
Book Blurb – Excess Baggage
Lately, Anviksha Punjabi can’t seem to get anything right. She is in the middle of ending her second marriage, is barely keeping any friends, and repeatedly getting into trouble at work. And as if all that weren’t enough, she must put up with her gregarious and over-bearing 67-year-old mother as a housemate.
Afraid that if this goes on, she’ll finally unravel completely, Anviksha decides she needs a break – a Bollywood style, solo-trip across Europe kind of break. What she doesn’t expect is that her mother, Smita Punjabi, will insist on coming along. How will this journey pan out? Will it be a total washout or a life-altering one?
Characterization in Excess Baggage
The two principal characters in the novel–Anviksha and Smita Punjabi are well etched and to the point. I liked the way the author attempted to ensure the characterization is poles apart, right from the way they talk and style to the way they think. It helps the reader actually get into their mind and connect on a different level.
Things that worked for me in the book
- The name of the story is apt for the way it represents not just the excess baggage that Smita Punjabi is on Anviksha’s solo journey, but it’s also about the baggage that each carries of their past.
- Characterization was to the point where I could actually imagine the characters and their antics.
- Wonderful description of Europe and places of interest in London and Amsterdam.
- An entertaining take on various situations while ending with some wisdom that makes you ponder.
- A simple story arch that is light, breezy and feels complete without the typical rom-com or goody-two-shoes central character formula.
- I actually know a Sindhi aunty and could imagine Smita Punjabi as that lady. Generous, welcoming and always ready with food to serve an army.
- The hilariously weird names of two dogs in the book–Bhindi and Mutton!
Things that didn’t work for me
- At times the situations seemed forced and more like a Bollywood masala movie with stereotypical references to Bollywood songs, the Indian way of life or foreign for that matter.
- While I understand that to establish a character, an author needs to make an extra effort on the way they speak, but the assorted adjectives that Anvisha uses every time she opens her mouth seem a bit forced. Not that it hampers the reading or makes one go in search of a dictionary, but it’s just something that I personally feel.
The highlight for me was surprisingly Smita Punjabi. A character, caught in the past with a lot of internal battles of her own, she rally’s strongly around her daughter and continues to exude confidence in every step. She is a hardworking, independent woman who runs her house, a business, and is extremely resourceful. The friendly character is ready to adapt, accept her mistakes and mend ways while knowing her limits on how far she could go.
Book Author–Richa S Mukherjee
Publisher–Harper Collins
Genre – Humor
Pick this book if you are looking for a fun weekend read. I would give it a 4/5 rating. You can buy the book here-
I received this book as part o BlogChatter’s book review program.
The post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase from the link here, I could get a small commission with no extra charge to you.
Going on a trip with my mom is always fun for me. Wish we had more of these during our growing up years. But I know why the author has named it excess baggage. Sadly but truly many find their own parents as excess baggage and never understand their ways.
Have been hearing a lot about this book and it seems so relatable in this world. There is a lot and deep meaning to this “excess baggage”, as a human!
I am surely picking this book up for my next read. This year I have decided to read more books from Indian authors and this definitely seems a promising read.
this seems to be an interesting read..seems to talk about the current realities of life.. this book is going to be my next read
I am going to pick this book for sure as I am reading great reviews. Like the way you reviewed it as reading what works for you and what not made it very clear to me what is going to work for me.
You have touched every aspects of the book, one should look into. Loved the craft of your review
You should become a professional book reviewer
I had heard a lot about Rich’s work before but never get a chance to read. the plot of this book sounds interesting to me. will surly try to check this out. I really like your crisp observation about book and glad that you had mentioned all those points clearly that did not work for you, as a reader.
The storyline sounds interesting n who doesnt want good laughs too. Would pick this one as my next read.
This books sounds interesting.
I find the mother daughter dynamic to be quite interesting and enjoy reading about them, watching them, whichever form as long it is well written.
Sounds like a fun book. I quite enjoy reading light hearted chick lit and this one seems right up there. Would like to read it some time.
The book seems like a great read . I love such light hearted books . I will check this out.
A pleasant laughter is what we need during these tough times. The book is apt for me. Going to grab this soon..thanks for the review
This was such a fun read for me too. I loved Smita Punjabi’s character that had a difficult past but is so positive about present and future. Good review!
This book seems so interesting and I have read great reviews for the same. I would really love to read this soon
Your review makes me want to get this book and read it on a nice and lazy weekend as I relax and chill
Hi Neha. Just came across your page and your review for my book. To begin with, I was gobsmacked by how you managed to deliver the summary and review all in one take! Really admirable 😀 I loved your honest and nuanced take on the story and the characters and I’m glad you specifically mentioned what you liked and what you didn’t. Thank you for reading and reviewing my third baby and I do hope it brought you some laughter and joy 🙂 To all the wonderful people who have commented that they will read the book, I hope you do! Thanks Neha!
Thank you Richa 🙂 I am thrilled to see that you read the review and took the time out to reply as well ! Wishing you all the success