Strange As It May Seem by Chitrangada Mukherjee

Strange As It May Seem Reviews

• 
  Chitra Iyer

  Oh boy! Chitrangada Mukherjee’s new book is out! I’m so excited to bring you the review of her latest, Strange As It May Seem, as it is the first time the author has attempted true romance.
  
  Now if you don’t know about the author, I strongly urge you to check out her previous books and experience the flowing narrative and sharp story plotting. I have had the honor of reading both the books, review links of which you can find in the Other Details section of this review.
  
  So without further rambling, let’s just get into the review.
  
  Summary
  
  Trishna is a simple, straight forward girl who has come into an inheritance left behind by her uncle. Her only family is her grandmother, Mrs Chatterjee, and Bhombol, their trusted man-servant. A dire financial crisis forces them to look for ways to make the transition of the inheritance smoother. Enter Darvesh.
  
  Darvesh agrees to help on one condition that appalls both Trishna and her grandmother. Mrs Chatterjee rejects the idea but Trishna is left contemplating. And what she decides changes the course of her life and that of the entire household.
  
  What I Liked
  
  First things first. This is not your typical love story. Strange As It May Seem deals with real people and their emotions and struggles. It is a story that will tug at your heart strings and leave you with a connection with the characters.
  
  I have always loved the writing style of the author. The smooth narrative and story line is commendable. But the highlight of the book is the life the author breathes into her characters. Every one of them is real. You can experience their frustration, and their cheerfulness when reading and that, I must say, is a work of art.
  
  I was in tears by the time the book ended, such is the power of the story. Beautifully moving.
  
  What I Did Not Like
  
  Can’t say I disliked anything.
  
  Other Details
  
  This is the third book by the author, Chitrangada Mukherjee. I have to mention that each of her books is different. She has this incredible way of making magic with words and I am a huge fan!
  
  Would I Recommend It?
  
  Of course! If you want a heart-warming love story, then this book will definitely satisfy you. A must read.
• 
  Rashmi Prsad

  
  Storyline::
  
  📍This story is about Trishna ; an innocent, wallflower living with her grandmother. Her grandmother has homeschooled her and so the girl is unaware of the outside world and its cruel ways, she is happy to be in the world of dreams and books.
  🖇She meet Darvesh ; a shrewd money lender, who only relishes money in his life. Well their relationship is forged for a mutual benefit. Well how does that turn out to be???
  
  🔖🔖Synopsis::
  The best part about this novel is its characters. The author has worked on each character protraying a negative and positive side.
  
  📍The personalities reflected by them ;are similar to real life.
  🖇The writing style is amazing. Every emotion that a charcter goes through,you feel it yourself.
  
  📍Also the novel is written in a simple language,which makes it easy to understand.
  
  🖇🖇Materialist Happiness doesnt matter;is what some people preach; but this novel tells you that the hunger of money;or the scarcity of money,changes the life a person completely.
• 
  Deepan Maitra

  My first book by Chitrangada Mukherjee compels me to ask myself “Why hadn’t I picked up her books sooner?” Her latest release “Strange as it may seem” is an incredible work on love, relations and nostalgia. This book of Chitrangada is a book with a soul. A soul that is motherly and accommodative, and which touches a part of all of us.
  
  Germinating from a very unique plot setting and revolving around contrasting characters, the story takes twists and turns to commemorate the surprises life has in store for us. Imperfect with relatable fallacies and immensely character-driven, this book makes the readers think. It makes them think and become a little more generous as a person.
  
  Trishna is a naïve and simple girl living with her grandmother Binodini in a lush house in Bangalore, along with a solitary faithful servant Bhombol. Trishna is unaware of the rigidness of human ego and is inexperienced with the ways of the world. Binodini has been shielding her with all her might. Then one day they learn that Binodini’s brother has left them a huge fortune, but to obtain that heap of money, they will have to make a security deposit of another Five lakh rupees. They cautiously take help of a shrewd moneylender Darvesh. Surprisingly, Darvesh asks for Trishna’s hand in marriage as a prerequisite for his monetary aid. Disgusted and cynical, Binodini Chatterjee cancels the deal. Trishna realizes how important their inherited fortune could be for their lives, and decides to spend some time with Darvesh—getting to know him better and even think about agreeing to the marriage proposal. Thus, seeds of an optimistic relationship are sown between the two. Trishna is caring and unfaltering, but has Darvesh really fallen in love with her? Or does he have some profitable motive behind his intentions…..how will the relationship between the pair blossom to be?
  
  Chitrangada’s writing is rooted deep into tradition, and her words convey soothingly the hint of homeliness and nostalgia. Through this book, she explores human dilemmas and dualities quite convincingly, and crafts a beautiful saga of platonic yet sensual romance. The evolving relationship between Trishna and Darvesh has been constructed with immaculate attention to its various shades and hues. It doesn’t appear to be hurried or forceful, rather it is its fluidity that makes way for a wonderful story to experience. The author’s understanding of human emotions, and her ability to bring out the deepest and darkest traits of the characters through the storyline is so appealing, that the book falls nothing short of a cinematic plethora of events and collisions. Every aspect of the story was remarkably full of empathy and mutual compassion, which adds to its overall impact. The characters have distinct personalities, their decisions and discoveries glisten with humanity and in all, the book revitalizes our faith in destiny and forgiveness.
  
  Disclaimer: This review is in lieu of a review copy.
  
  Originally published on my blog:
  https://deepansbookshelf.blogspot.com...
• 
  Rutuja Ramteke

  🍀Strange As It May Seem🍀
  Trishna is an innocent, sheltered girl, living with her grandmother, Mrs.Binodini Chatterjee. Unaware of the outside world and its cruel ways, she is happy to be in the world of dreams and books.
  
  Darvesh is a shrewd money-lender focussed only on what would give him the best returns. Hard-hearted and ruthless, Darvesh knows no love other than the love for money.
  .
  🍀This is one of those books which makes a loop of reality around oneself while reading it, whether it's happier or sad, it's real. I must say, the author made it each and everything look more natural and real. It's not a romance where the characters are trying to please the readers but it's something that is brutal and fragile at times. I cannot stop adoring the cover, it's just so beautiful. I loved Trishna, she is as simple and innocent as any other girl is, what's special about her? She is different because takes things the way they come and that was so relatable, I liked a lot of characters but definitely Binodini is my favourite.
  .
  Though she is a character that could have been explored more, she forms a very important part of the entire journey, the kind of person she is, it's so soothing yet nostalgic. I loved the climax, the language is error free and the author explores one element at a time. The book is filled with noteworthy lines, I loved few paragraphs so much that I felt like re reading them. This is something I will definitely recommend for someone who is into romance and wants something pure/natural and real.
  .
  Rating: 4.25🌟
  
• 
  Mohana

  BOOK REVIEW ⬇️⬇️⬇️
  .
  .
  "Ae Jism Mukkda hai
  Tan Sab Kuch Mukk Janda
  Par Cheteyan dey Dhaage
  Kaayenaati Kana dey Hunde
  Main unha kana nu chunagi
  Dhageyan nu walangi
  Te tenu main fer milangi...."
  ~~ Amrita Pritam.
  🍃
  BLURB:-
  Trishna, an innocent, introvert, sheltered girl living with her only guardian her grandmother and her only friend Bhombol who is also the servant of that house. Being totally unaware of the outside world and it's cruel ways, Trishna was happy with her dreams and books untill Darvesh came into her life. Unlike Trishna, Darvesh is hard-hearted, ruthless, and a pure businessman who can do anything just for money. Without money, he loves nothing, until some strange thing happens.
  .
  🍃
  REVIEW:-
  This book is a real cosy romantic read. So if you love romantic stories, you are surely gonna love it. Sometimes I feel that romantic reads are full of unrealistic events, but I didn't found anything unrealistic in this particular book. Also this book gave me a retro vibe, an old classical romance. Now being a very Bollywood person, I love to watch retro romantic movies more than the recent romantic movies. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it a little bit more. I really want this book to become a movie. Also I loved the cover, it suits the story and also the vibe. The language is pretty easy and lucid. Lastly, the character developments of both the lead characters by the author made me really impressed.
  .
  🍃
  If you are looking for an interesting and beautiful love story, then do grab this book.
• 
  Kavita

  My Take:
  
  A refreshing love story. A different set up. Not the usual boy meet girl, falls in love and they live happily ever after kind ,but more subtle, more real. The characters here connect and they have a story that defines their personality.
  
  Trisha is naive, yet polished, untouched by the realities of the world yet aware of things happening around her, sheltered yet independent, she is strong and her strength is her ability to take things at their face value. A streak that is complex yet refreshing that makes her more real and acceptable.
  
  Darvesh is what the situation made him to be. He's learned life the hard way and values money the most courtesy his background and life earlier.That defines his character, real, a bit selfish and with grey streaks. Something we all have and would relate to.
  
  Binodini the matriach has been etched well and the layers added to this character is what I loved the most. An aura is created around her and she is smart to read minds.She is Trisha's protector her shield.
  
  What happens when Trisha decides to come out of her sheltered life and make a decision that can shatter her beliefs? Will Binodini be able to shield her as always? Darvesh, would he understand and respect his feelings? or would he be the shrewd money lender? Read the book to find out.
  
  The narration is simple, crisp and holds the story well. I would recommend this to all romance lovers.
  
  I would rate this 4.5/5
• 
  Prerna Gandhi

  Novels have carried me through the lowest of times and been an escape from the reality. Especially, romantic novels have been a hope, like a respite in a desolate land.
  
  Reading Strange as it may seem, also has given a much needed relief. This novel has a strange and unique plot, along with an exceptional writing style. The author has awed me with her smooth storytelling ability.
  
  Trishna, is a wallflower whose nose is always burried in her books, unaware about the hard realities of life. She, along with her grandmother, lives a simplistic life away from the harshness of life. But one day, Darvesh, a moneylender, who cares about nothing but money, walks in her life. Which, first appears to be a relationship for mutual benefit, blossoms into a beautiful bond of love.
  
  Literature of this book has been nothing less than excellent. The title was apt, fitting the plot perfectly. Setting was vividly described helping the readers to envision the events as it happenend. I loved the way how story journeyed throughout the book, not being too slow or stuck on one point. This book will definitely take a reader on a pleasant ride and I obviously recommend it to everyone.
• 
  Bookswithavinish

  'Strange As It May Seem' by Chitranganda Mukherjee is a story of Trishna a innocent girl, who is living a life full of dreams without knowing the harsh realities of outside world. On the other hand, Darvesh a money lender, who obly gives priority to make more money. What will happen next? Will they drawn to each other?
  
  Firstly, I can't stop myself from praising this mesmerising cover page. Well, despite the fact that it is a contemporary fiction novel. But, still it's far away from other romance books. Where protagonists addresses or admire each other. Somehow, I feel a bit unconventional plotline considering the premises of the story.
  
  Overall "Strange As It May Seem" is a unputdownable story filled with realistic and genuine approach. If you are someone who enjoys reading a book with plethora of emotions, then do check out this one.
  
  Must read ❤❤
• 
  Nuchu Lahari

  Good one.
  A mere wedding with benefits turns into love without borders.
  
  https://brightenyou.blogspot.com
• 
  ReadnMarked

  “Happiness is a butterfly. The moment you catch it, you kill its spirit.”
  - Chitrangada Mukherjee, Strange as it may seem
  
  The book is about a girl and a guy. A wallflower girl brought up by her grandmother single-handedly confined within the walls of her innocence and a money-minded guy who cares about nothing else but earning more money.
  
  Trishna is getting a huge inheritance and financial crisis forces her and her grandmother to look for ways to make it happen smoothly. Darvesh is ready to help but the condition he puts forth stuns the duo of Trishna and her grandmother. Mrs. Chatterjee, the grandmother rejects the idea but Trishna hasn’t yet decided. Her decision will change not only hers but many other lives.
  
  The author has done magic with her characters. From Bhombol to Mrs. Chatterjee and from Darvesh to Trishna, characters show different personalities of a human and how a person’s life affects the people he/she is related to. Every character grows through the book and your connection with them will grow deeper. A reader can easily experience every emotion of characters through the words of the author.
  
  The language used is easy and the story feels like that of a person very close to us which makes it truly unputdownable. Every chapter is written so nicely as a narration from a third person which reminded me of the days when my grandmother used to tell me stories.
  
  All in all, I was in tears by the end of the book as I felt connected with each one of them.
  
  RATINGS:
  
  Story: 4/5
  Characters: 5/5
  Cover: Just so beautiful. 5/5
  Overall: 5/5
• 
  Chitra Muralikrishnan

  Simply loved this book... Very nice story plainly written..