Jolly good stuff

The book deals with the complex lives of two women who struggle to make their mark in the male dominated world of army.

She's A Jolly Good Fellow: Sajita Nair.

Title: She's a jolly good fellow

Author: Sajita Nair

Publisher: Hachette

Price: Rs. 250

The day is not too far off when a woman without a fancy haircut and lip balm will be dismissed as a tomboy. She's A Jolly Good Fellow explores the life of a no-nonsense woman, passionate about being in the Indian army in such a way that, towards the end, we don't dismiss her as a tomboy, rather we see her as an emotionally strong woman that we would want to be!

She's a Jolly Good Fellow by Sajita Nair is moderate chick-lit yet inspiring as it is set against the background of the Indian army. The story revolves around two women, Deepika and Anjali, who are second lieutenants in the Indian army and the challenges they face in a highly male-dominated set-up. They are posted near Darjeeling where they are the only two women. The fact that women are not taken seriously adds to their woes.

Defying stereotypes

The charming Anjali takes advantage of the fact that she is a woman, occasionally wooing her male counterparts with a smile and escaping the rigidity of army life. Anjali's life takes a turn as she falls in love with a senior; socialises often and participates in the club activities. On the other hand, Deepika takes every day as a challenge and does not want to sleep through success. She pushes herself to extremes breaking stereotypes and reaches great heights. She too falls in love. The book is about how the two girls find their answer to the question: “Is a man worth more than career”?

Strong characterisation is definitely the biggest plus point. Each character has been well sculpted; especially that of Deepika. The subtle internal struggle has been portrayed beautifully by the author! Unlike other frivolous female leads, this book portrays strong women in the right way. The author not only shows Deepika's physical endurance but also her mental strength. All the elements seem very realistic! Despite two female leads and lot of scope for distraction via romance, the author has stuck to her subject: being a woman in the army.

Towards the end, the incidents start getting a little repetitive, and the end is very predictable. It seems as though the author wanted to wrap up the story quickly. Also, in parts, I feel the author tries to show that a woman can be strong only if she apes a man, which is not true. The truth, however, is that a woman draped in an elegant sari can be as commanding as one who does not care about her appearance!

This book is a must read. The theme is dealt with in a light yet heart-melting way. You may argue that it is chick lit. Yet, if you love the drama, you are sure to be carried away by this feel-good book!

Nandhitha is a student of std. XII at Chettinad Vidyashram