After her life turns several hairpin bends, Devi— the protagonist of diplomat-turned-writer Vikas Swarup''s latest book, The Girl With The Seven Lives—lands up in a beauty salon in Mumbai. The tician is described in much detail. "I found myself gaining focus and confidence as I washed and dried her feet, cut and shaped her nalils, used a pumice stone to exfoliate the rough patches on the soles of her feet, and massaged her calves with arose-scented lotion, losing myself in the rhythm of the strokes and the soothing music playing in the background," says Devi.
There is perhaps some irony in the former spokesperson of the external affairs ministry and former High Commissioner of India to Canada writing about how to "tweeze, wax, thread, tint and apply makeup with finesse and artistry". Swarup laughs when I point it out to him during a Zoom chat. "I have never set foot inside a beauty salon, so I had to do a lot of research, he says. "I read many articles and watched YouTube videos to understand how exactly these manicures and pedicures are done..
THE GIRL WITH THE SEVEN LIVES
By Vikas Swarup
Published by Simon & Schuster India
Price ₹499; pages 401
And therein lies Swarup's wizardry as a storyteller—making fiction fun. Even as he deals with heavyweight topics, his writing bears just a touch of the outlandish so that you know you are in a made-up world. Living inside Swarup's imagination is a little like playing a high-octane video game. There is the slightly off-kilter feeling of not knowing where you are headed or how many detours you will be made to take. All you can be sure of? One heck of a ride.
This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Doctor's doctors
Internists deal with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of diseases, while also coordinating with doctors across specialties
WORK THIS OUT!
What is the true cost of a 90-hour workweek? Reduced productivity, mental health issues and severe health risks, say doctors
The experience of oppression
The British enacted several laws that might appear liberal, only to then veto the invocation of progressive measures. Nevertheless, these milestones guided the founding fathers in conceiving and creating the Constitution of India
One, two, buckle my shoe!
“Darling,” I said to my life companion of more years than I care to remember, “Do you think there is any correlation between pain in the feet and attending prayer meetings?”“You really are a stupid old man!” said the light of my life. “Can’t you think of anything more bizarre so late at night?”
A helping hand
Over the past year, Imaginarium has placed 3D-printed parts in space, in human bodies, in oil fields in the Middle East, and as drones on the Indian border
Fading federalism
One of the most visible indicators of the erosion of state autonomy is the diminishing financial independence of states
FOUNDING MOTHERS OF THE CONSTITUTION
THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC REMAINS EXEMPLARY AND INSPIRING
Value every breath
VO2 max is the best way to measure fitness and predict life expectancy
Statutes of unity
The Constitution reminds us that national oneness comes through addressing inequalities, not enforcing uniformity
Incomplete equality
Equal marriage rights is one of the last bastions of patriarchy and to dismantle it, the recognition of marital rape as an offence is non-negotiable
