First steps into teen world

I must admit that the first couple of chapters in Revathi Suresh’s book Jobless Clueless Reckless (Duckbill) irritated me — and even put me off. For a few days. Even though the genre is writing for young adults, the f-words and teenage lingo didn’t really gel. After all, too many posts on Facebook are similar to: “Heyyyyyyy! Moron! Whatcha up to? Wanna watch a movie?” Or “I don’t get this shit. It’s supposed to be romance or whatever but reads more like porn.” Or “Wassamatter? You’re scared of dolls ? Or was there a dead rat or cockroach or something?”

But slowly, Kavya and her world grow on you and pull you in. Her friends who sneak out to parties with their boyfriends, slipping out of “ behenji clothes” and into dresses that are too short, too tight; her spats with her brother Ditto; Appa, her missing father, and Ma, who used to smile once upon a time but is now “mostly grumpy and always working on her laptop.” That is, when she is at home.

The lingo is that of an upper middle-class teenager, and the book essentially dives into the turmoil, chaos and doubts that fill the lives and world of teenagers. Kavya and Ditto don’t have the security and comfort generally associated with children growing up in the average upper middle-class family. The duo doesn’t go to school, and instead study at the farmhouse of their aunt — an arrangement that raises eyebrows among their friends’ parents.

But even though Kavya and Ditto come from a broken home, they are better grounded than some of their friends. Revathi’s book reveals that children from broken homes can turn out well after all. Despite all the bashing and name-calling Kavya reserves for her younger brother, she has a protective tenderness towards her sibling, which is so endearing. It makes up for a mother missing from their lives for most of the day, but without any sentimental strings attached.

The writer’s wry sense of humour is the best part of the narrative. After a good cry, the “entire face is red and I’m puffing huge gusts of breath and bet I look like Rudolf having a nervous breakdown.” Kavya marvels at her brother’s prowess with handwork. “He’s even learnt to knit from some kit. And I mean complex patterns and stuff. Could he be gay or something?”

Revathi’s maiden book is good for a quick read; her writing is racy and she manages to give the reader a close look at Kavya’s loneliness and her craving for parental love and security. Even though this is a book for young adults, its appeal is much wider. The characters are etched deftly and with decisive strokes. I would keep an eye on this promising writer.

COMMENT NOW