A Book Review: Trust Me by Rajashree

For years now, I've been hooked to new Indian writers. As an avid reader, I am amazed by the variety and intensity of young Indian writing. The moment I spot a new writer's book, I am tempted to buy it because I love Indian writers and their stories. No two stories or novels are ever the same even when topics continue to revolve around family drama or coming-of-age situations.

Rajashree's debut novel Trust Me had me hooked from start to finish and not because 'trust me' in Polish means 'F..k you'! New knowledge from this book that was almost funny because the way the author presented this nugget of information. 

I completed the book greedily in a day. Of course, it is a romantic comedy about Paro, a protagonist who struggles to survive in Mumbai. She is no beauty but she has brains. She is on the 'healthier' side but she is tempted easily by tasty food though she always vows to go on a crash diet and slim down. She falls for a handsome man and is heartbroken when he cheats her and forces her to abort her baby. Her dreams of happy marriage turn to ashes. Bitter and angry, she is comforted by her boss, who takes her out to dinner and then makes a pass at her. It makes her feel worse that men see her in this way and she begins to hate and distrust all men. Her two staunch friends, Kavita and Saira, tell her from their own bitter affairs with men that 'all men are bastards' and they take comfort from this snippet of enlightenment.


What I enjoyed about the story was I could relate to it. I have known friends who've gone through similar situations. So many conversations between the protagonist and her friends sound very familiar to my ears. There's no serious literary treasure in this book but it is a sure entertainer that will make you smile, hope and cry with Paro. 


To make ends meet, she joins as an assistant in a Bollywood commercial flick. She is shocked how superstars behave to director Jumboji and to the producer. The larger-than-life image angers her but she works hard on the sets. She realizes that Mrignayani, the heroine, sleeps around to get plum roles. She realizes that actors can pick and choose actresses like books off a shelf. Relationships have no meaning in the make believe, tinsel world. And that is exactly why she tries hard to resist Rahul, a struggling actor who is poised for stardom. He woos her from day one but she thinks he is just another dumb actor trying his luck with a girl on the set. She continues pining for Karan, her first love. She gets to know Rahul well and they even agree to have an affair but slowly, her feelings towards him change. She feels softer towards him though her best friends advise her to stay away from actors. She learns the hard way again that men are bastards.


The rest is even more interesting to read. I loved the way it didn't get tragic or read like a sob story for Paro. Like many girls, she too learns to find joy and strength from within. She battles her emotions and finds happiness at last. The best thing was the way the author made it so entertaining and interesting for the reader, without using any jargon or preachy dialogues.


If I had to sum up this book in one word, I'd say "Fun"