Author: K. Mathur
Publisher: Southpac Publishers Limited
Pages: 220
Price: Rs 350 [though no price mentioned on the book]
Blurb:
The title is an attitude - our tendency to feel defeated by the scale and nature of certain problems. Rather than meet them head on, we circumvent them with a sigh and a consoling “never mind, yaar”.
When long time friends Binaifer Desai and Louella D’Costa meet Shalini Dayal at Gyan Shakti College, a true friendship that transcends cultural and religious backgrounds is born. Louella is a Christian, Binaifer, a Parsi and Shalini, a Hindu.
The novel’s main plotline surrounds Shalini who has fallen for an impetuous student activist, Bhagu. Where does his desire to help the less fortunate lead him? The challenges are many - Shalini’s tradition bound family, the couple’s youth and inexperience and the travails of life in Mumbai, a city the girls love but know, is fraught with communal tension.
My review:
I received a copy of this book for review. The cover page of the book has a picture of Gyan Shakti College along with three girls seated at a table. The story is set around three friends, Louella, Binaifer and Shanlini who meet on the day one of the college and soon they become inseparable and share each and everything and is set in 1990s in Mumbai. How excited Lou becomes when her parents gift her a moped, just reminds of the college days. The girls also crib about the quality of food at canteen.
Shalini's grandmother whom she calls Mem seems to be a godmother to their family. No one would dare to cross her words or dare to speak against her. Shalini falls in love with Bhagu is scared to tell her parents. Meanwhile, Mem searches for suitable proposal for Shalini. Would Shalini agree to marry Mem's choice or would she be brave enough to elope with Bhagu who has different background. Later on the story has the political and communal violence. But the author does not explain anything in the present condition.
I did not feel that the story of the book connects to title "Never Mind Yaar" anyway. The story seems to be boring and the reader would lose interest reading the first 100 pages. The narration could have been much better with the characters. I was struggling to complete the book after 100 pages. However, the snippets on Bandra, Zorastrians, Bhabhuti nayi are interesting read.
I feel the book is over pricey for what it provides to the readers.
About the author:
K. Mathur writes at the heart of two of India’s most pressing problems—violence between communities and the environment. Her debut novel is about friendship and fun between three college students from different ethnic backgrounds in Mumbai – a city they love but know is fraught with communal or racial tensions. Born and brought up in Mumbai, K. Mathur lives in New Zealand with her family.
Verdict: 2/5
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Catherine Hemmerling has
been a technical writer in the software industry for nearly twenty years and
has published many user manuals and technical documentation in that time. She
has always had a love of writing fiction but has never pursued publication in
that genre until now. 
Linda Merlino is the author of Room of Tears (July 23
2013), Hudson Catalina (2008-Belly of the Whale &
re-release 9/14/12), Swan Boat Souvenir (self-published 2003)
she began writing fiction as a young mother on the sidelines of endless soccer
practices. Linda wrote anytime any place. A manuscript filled a
carton in the back seat of her car. Many years have passed since those
early beginnings, but her work continues to be inspired by her children.
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