Review: The Rule Breakers

The Rule Breakers by Preeti Shenoy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The principal character of ‘The Rule Breakers’, Veda has great depth. And this is a story you should read for her strength in her turbulent life journey – aspirations, disappointments and hope.

Veda is the eldest of 5 children of a family based in Joshimath. She does very well in studies and hope to make a career for herself. However, her conservative middle class parents believe she should get married quickly and she bows to their wishes. This is a time when a friendship is developing with Suraj who is her classmate.

Veda moves to Pune after marriage, and finds life losing meaning. She struggles with coping with college, work at home and the attitude of her mother-in-law. There are a series of letters in the book between her, her sister Vidya and friend Suraj. These letter are very well written and a delight to read. I especially liked the exchanges between Veda and Vidya. Veda gets involved with ‘Sankalp’ – an organisation to promote learning among under-privileged children. Veda sees a sense of purpose creeping into her life finally, but there are more troubles to come.

Some aspects of the story could have been better, but Veda makes up for the book’s other shortcomings.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.


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