By Preeti Shenoy
Here’s a story that feels more real than truth itself.
The story revolves around Ankita Sharma, the main protagonist. She is a regular college going kid with her share of fun, masti, friends, romantic inclinations and all other activities kids nowadays indulge in. She is an intelligent girl, with her head firmly on her shoulders. She has certain fixed aims and goals in life and has a plan to work towards achieving them.
Life is good.
But then it seems like God has another plan. 
Ankita starts showing signs of mental illness and her medical checks reveal Bipolar Disorder. Her life is thrown into mayhem.
What follows is a gripping tale of courage, faith, love and belief.
Ankita strives to bring her life back to normal – fighting the demons of depressions and regaining control over her life.
You begin to care for Ankita. You wish she heals quickly and gets the life she deserves.
A highly sensitive and intense subject beautifully portrayed by Preeti shows her skill as an excellent author. The finer details about the disorder show the author’s perspective and in-depth research. She does complete justice to the situations, the feelings, the characters, and yes, most importantly the title.
The characters and the settings come alive as you read on. The feelings and the emotions of Ankita, her parents and loved ones touch your heart and your soul.
The narration is very tight and apt. While you seem to enjoy life with Ankita during her college days; you won’t be able to hold back your emotions (if not your tears) during the latter part that shows Ankita’s struggle and pain. Free flowing simple words but highly effective. No over-rated drama or exaggerated scenes.
It is a coming of age novel that blends emotions, sensitivity, feelings and maturity in the right proportion to inspire readers to never give up hope. Life is never the same. Ups and downs are inevitable. But belief in oneself, determination to pass it through, and faith in the Almighty sets all problems aside.
I do wish to pick up her first book – 34 Bubblegums and Candies soon.
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