“Life is what you make it ” is written by bestselling Indian author and artist Preeti Shenoy. Her book, ’34 Bubblegums and Candies’ was a national bestseller and she ranks amongst the top five selling authors in India. The book is written in a very simple yet captivating way. The topic selected is also least discussed i.e bipolar disorder so again it will help to create awareness amongst readers about mental illness. The author has explained thoroughly the trauma and pain that a patient of bipolar disorder suffers from. She has also mentioned about Vincent Van Gogh, the famous artist and his illness. He also suffered from bipolar disorder and once in a rage he cut off his own ear. We generally know the seriousness about physical illness but how mental illness can demotivate a healthy and ambitious person can be seen in this novel. Ankita, the protagonist of this novel is a smart and confident girl who has her dreams of pursuing MBA but six months later she becomes a patient of mental health hospital.
The content of the first half could have been better in terms of the love life of the protagonist. There are certain things in first half, that might not be appealing but the second half becomes interesting especially when her treatment starts. It is good to read how her parents, doctors and friends form a strong support system and help her to overcome her illness.
The book can be finished in one go owing to the simple tone. The author succeeds in keeping her readers engaged till the end through her writing style. Most of the things written are taken from everyday instances so it’s quite relatable. The characters written can be very well connected. The romantic feelings, confusion and sentiments that a young college going student goes through are very well portrayed by the author. If you compare it with foreign authors, you might feel boring at times but in the end, it sends a positive message that no matter how worse your situation be, if you have faith and determination, you can overcome any illness. If you are looking for some beginner-level English book this can be a very good option. Overall, easy and interesting read!