Author: Rashmi Kumar
Format: Paperback
Language: English
ISBN: 9788129116048
Pages: 138
Price: Rs. 95.00
‘Stilettos in the Newsroom‘ by Rashmi Kumar is a story that comes straight out of the heart, told in a matter-of-fact way. I have been hearing about this novel for quite some time, and hence, the interest to go through it, when I finally got it in my hand, was rather high. The result? Could not help slogging till 3am in the night.
‘Stilettos in the Newsroom‘ is a story of journalism, by journalists, with the major protagonist being Radhika Kanetkar. The novel charts her growth from a notable newbie in the newsroom to a successful journalist, jumping over the various hurdles that life had to offer her in the long way in between. In her life as a journalist, she remained solely concerned, concentrated about her profession, often giving her life a way out from the nine-to-five job she was into, by partying and escaping to places with her friends. She got a great friend-cum-philosopher in Sushmita and the bond shown in between them was one of the finest touches of the author in this novel. Radhika (often called as Rads by her friends) did everything in her life – from creating unnecessary bloopers in her job, to learning not to make those mistakes again, to get bitched against by her fellow colleagues, to getting sexually sought after by weirdo foreigners, she saw life from a different angle, which may be much common to everyone related to the profession of journalism. But one thing she was not much successful in was her personal life, her love-life. The author portrayed the love affair between Radhika and Sameer (of Rajat, Tina, Sameer trio fame) in a brilliant way, at the end of which both of them came together to each other.
Writing: All through out the novel, Rashmi was the quintessential Radhika, in every sense. Rashmi Kumar’s background in journalism made her draw the perfect picture, ensembling her experience in that sector. While the preliminary pages were hard to concentrate into, what followed from there on were a fluent story telling, casting of nicely portrayed characters, in the string of similarly interesting incidents. Humour is an important part of this novel which makes it to score a notch above what it would have had scored without the humour aspects. Throughout the book, the author has successfully showed the tiny little likings for small things that every person nurtures with care in their heart. For Radhika, living in different cities (Delhi and Pune, as featured here) came as challenges, at the end of which she ended up loving each city in their own ways.
‘Stilettos in the Newsroom‘ a book well recommended for everyone. Personally, my favourites have been the ‘Journalism Rules’ at the end of each of the 27 chapters in the book. Smooth language, urban storyline and interesting characters make it worth-reading!
Overall rating: 7.5/10
More Details:
The author on Facebook: Rashmi Kumar
The novel on Facebook: Stilettos in the Newsroom
Author’s website: rashmikumar.in
Also, you can mail the author directly to: rashmikumar.in@gmail.com
In case you want to, buy the book from
Infibeam
7 comments
Vivek Banerjee says:
Apr 23, 2011
Okay Bastab, I’ll order the book. Seems interesting.
john says:
Apr 24, 2011
looks interesting. Will love to have a look at the book.
Smita says:
Apr 25, 2011
There were certain inconsistencies in the book which made it an avergae read for me. WIll be publishing my review on it soon :)
girish saini says:
Apr 28, 2011
flawless writing, mirror like inside view of a newsroom makes it a cherished reading. being from the industry, i can relate to more than one incidents described in the novel. and 27 rules are just like cherry on the cake.
wonderful piece of writing by an equally wonderful person. :)
Interview: Rashmi Kumar, author of ‘Stilettos in the Newsroom’ « Between The Lines says:
May 9, 2011
[…] the Newsroom‘ by Rashmi Kumar is well recommended novel, the review of which featured on BTL here lately. Tonight we have Rashmi Kumar herself featured on BTL, for a short discussion on life, […]
Book Reading Challenge 2011 « Between The Lines says:
May 16, 2011
[…] Road‘ by Dr. Vivek Banerjee 2. ‘She broke up, I didn’t‘ by Durjoy Datta 3. ‘Stilettos in the Newsroom‘ by Rashmi Kumar 4. ‘Musings of a Wanderer‘ by Shreya Chatterjee 5. ‘Trapped […]
Book Giveaway: ‘Stilettos in the Newsroom’ by Rashmi Kumar « Between The Lines says:
May 28, 2011
[…] in the Newsroom‘, one of the most talked about novel for quite some time, by Rashmi Kumar here on BTL. Later she was also interviewed by me […]