Review: My Friends

My Friends by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hooter: “A story that doesn’t just ask who we are to others, but who we dare to be with ourselves."

My Friends is the kind of novel that asks for patience, but rewards you with honesty. It doesn’t glamorize friendship; instead, it shows it in all its contradictions- the tenderness, the silence, the disappointments, and the loyalty that refuses to let go. The writing is quiet but piercing, the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. By the end, you don’t just understand the characters - you feel like you’ve lived alongside them. This is no doubt signature Fredrik Backman style that picks a regular storyline - situations so relatable to you and me yet adds a perspective that is wittier yet heart wrenching at the same time.

My Friends is about how one summer of friendship can shape an entire lifetime. It follows Louisa, a grieving eighteen year old who stumbles across a painting of three kids on a pier and sets out to discovr the story behind it. Along the way, she meets Ted, now an older man, who shares the memories of that summer with her- the friendships, the secrets, and the art that captured it all.

"All children are born with wings,” she had whispered. “It’s just that the world is full of people who try to tear them off. Unfortunately they succeed with almost everyone, sooner or later. Only a few children escape. But those children? They rise up to the skies!

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Review: The Mistress of Bhatia House

The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hooter: A 1920s Mumbai period drama with a dash of murder mystery.

Sujata Massey once again draws us into the world of Perveen Mistry, India’s first woman solicitor navigating a man’s world. This time, the spotlight is firmly on the rich historical and cultural backdrop of pre-Independence Bombay. We get to see the city’s many layers- its services, its social divides, and the unspoken equations between different economic groups. The murder mystery itself lingers quietly in the background for most of the book, only stepping forward in the final stretch when closure becomes necessary.

As a period drama, Sujata strikes that perfect balance of educating and entertaining. The pace is lively, and Perveen continues to face misogyny in all its everyday forms while also trying to unravel a mystery the book almost playfully disguises. Compared to the earlier books, this one really leans into character-building; showing us the world of wealthy business families, civil servants, royal entourages, domestic staff, and the upper echelons of law and bureaucracy.

Interestingly, Perveen also spends more time at home here, strengthening her bonds with her brother, sister-in-law (and friend), niece, parents, and even the household staff. The Gulnaz angle felt a little over the top and didn’t quite lead anywhere, but it was still heartwarming to watch the family rally around little Khushy and her care.

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