Name: S’s Secret
Author: Shobhaa De
Reading TIme: 3 metro rides
About the Book:
S’s Secret is about a young girl, Sandhya and her various relationships. She is fourteen years old. Her relationships with her parents, siblings and friends have been narrated in the book through her behaviour in different situations. The dominant concerns of a teenager’s life including body image, developing interest areas, sibling rivalry, attraction towards guys and experimentation have been covered. The secret that is the a frequently repeated topic throughout the book as an attempt to build suspense is quite a bit of a failure. Infact, when the secret is revealed in the end, it reads no different from any other part of the book. No excitement is built in the book and no surging of emotions.
It is an easy read and contrary to popular belief about De (or so my Mom told me), the book has nothing obscene or vulgar in it. It is quite boring on the whole, but it finishes quite early.
Favourite Quote: none
Final Analysis: The book is more suitable for young readers who might be able to relate well to the issues. You can also read to see that your teenaged child is going through the same things that everyone else is going through. Other than that… quite an avoidable book.