Title: Surviving Men / Author: Shobha De
Publisher: Penguin Books / Price: Rs. 290
The author of the column The Sexes in the news magazine The Week had to write a book that is as feministic as Surviving Men. Also, for a book of that title (and a subtitle – The smart woman’s guide to staying on top), any other content is an impossibility. So it is - a book by a woman for women to beat men and get ahead in the race of life.
It looks like De was in a playful mood while penning the book. The declarations and instructions are so candid and undiplomatic that you can’t help identifying and laughing. Written in a very funny style, the book almost diminishes mankind (read literally) to a breed of lesser mortals.
She teaches all prospective war-women with élan that men are the inconvenient truths of women’s life. It is necessary to master the art of dealing with them and eventually train them to suit one’s needs.
Objectively speaking, it is clearly a work to prove a point rather than share the truths about men. Its content is well kept within the boundaries of the book. Practising them might be difficult for most women and De herself because the generalisation of men she resorts to is too optimistic. Of course, there are tips that can be used here and there, but you have to dig deep within to find those pearls. An example is timing with men. Her lesson on knowing the right time to pop the right questions to get positive or desirable answers is a runaway gem.
So women, read it for an ego boost. You deserve it from the showbiz power lady. And men, read it for a change. Most of you will emerge with a newfound (mostly false too) confidence – “Thank God, it’s not about me!”
