The Gospel According To Sudha Murty

After 4 years of literary dormancy following my conquest of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, I decided to read a book. This decision sprang not because of the sheer need to read one, but the fact that I had spotted an elegant looking book in my cupboard. I picked it up and read the title and abstract. It was Sudha Murty’s Wise and Otherwise: A Salute to Life. Just over 210 pages, easy language and relaxed font sizes, it was not hard on my eyes and time. But the content was a bit familiar for a youth who has been bombarded with advice throughout his life.

The book consists of 51 stories, all based on Sudha Murty’s experiences with people of different states and societies. She encounters all kinds of emotions – Jealousy, honesty, chutzpah, courage, vanity – you name it, you have it. There are some interesting lines in the book that are effortlessly written (“I told him that my sister and brother were American citizens living abroad and they were not interested in this gas connection” for instance) and some situations that shock and surprise you. You are also introduced to some strange people you would have otherwise never met in your life. yes it is a lively book all right, but read the rest of the article.

Being a teacher she is inclined to give advice and it shows here in the book too. Every story has an artificial beginning about some sick things prevailing in the society. Then a story builds on that for no reason. The story goes on towards conclusions are drawn from the conversations above and judges the various characters involved. All characters are made uni-dimensional and their true characters assassinated. Then Ms. Murty goes on and on about what is wrong and what is right in life and how one should make lives of people better and not think about themselves.

Also there are discourses on how good character comes not by birth or education but from within oneself. The themes and advices recur many times (sometimes even verbatim) and remind you every time about the preachy nature of the book. I’ll give you a few gems.

• I was surprised at my son, whom long ago I had taught to hold a pencil. Now he was talking like an experienced adult..

• Education and financial independence are tools that can help us face difficulties…

• There is so much misery and gloom, but it is better to light a candle than to remain in darkness. Try to light as many candles as possible.

• Probably these children will realize the value of good advice only when they become parents themselves and their children do not listen to them (At this point I burst out laughing)

These are just few of the thousands of wise gems given to us by Ms. Murty in the book. If I wanted to read these, I would have rather picked up a personality development book called “101 ways to make life better” or even better, asked my parents. At the end of each story, you feel like getting up, putting the book in front of you, folding your hands and saying “Yes Ma’am“. She should have called her book “Vice and Advice: A Sermon on Life” instead.

I do not read enough books to rate them, but if I was forced to, I would give this one 1.5 out of 4.

A more restricted and formal review HERE.