The Vague Woman's Handbook by Devapriya Roy

This is not my diatribe against the fairer sex, but the title of a very good book I read. The author (Devapriya Roy) is a woman, and not an MCP (Male Chauvinist Pig). And the story is engaging, and full of identifiable characters. One of the two (vague?) women protagonists is a fifty plus Indira Sen who works for a government literary outfit. The second one is a just married, confused young lady who joins the same organisation on contract, and ends up making friends with the first.

Without too much melodrama (there has to be some, because women are involved), and with gentle humour, the story nicely keeps you involved, as these two women fight their own battles- nothing dramatic again, just everyday stuff like balancing credit cards and loan sharks, husband, in-laws, daughter, Delhi's autowalas, and the like.

The characters are etched very well, and most readers would be able to identify with some or all of them, like a retired defence officer, the parents, the maid, the neighbours, the landlords and so on. Very easy read. Recommended.