Customer Reviews

Invisible Lives

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In India almost twenty-eight years old Lakshmi has a gift that her mom says comes from the Goddess she is named after who visited her when she was still in the womb. Lakshmi shares her ability to see inside the hearts of people to observe the tribulations that haunt them and she lifts those burdens off of that individual. As a side benefit of her mental skills, Lakshmi knows the perfect color and fabric for patrons of the family's sari shop.

However, because of her age, her mother worries that her daughter remains single so she arranges a match with a friend. Reluctantly as an obedient daughter and to honor her late father, Lakshmi accepts her mother's arrangement. However, as fate (and romance novels) would have it, she meets chauffeur Nick Dunbar and knows he is the one for her because her ability to look into hearts fail whenever she is around him.

Readers will enjoy this contemporary romance starring a delightful likable young woman who balances having one foot in the modern world and another in her heritage. Lakshmi's dilemma feels real as she wants to honor the desires of her mother and her late father, but loves Nick. This is a fine tale that rings true as a genuine chick lit Bollywood style.

Harriet Klausner

What an enjoyable read. For those who what a saucy romance this is not the book for you although I had a wonderful time trying to finish this book in three days. I would hate to be in the main characters' position. I could not for the life of me wait to see who she chose in the end so I sneaked a peak and still couldn't wait to read her story. What fun. This book was a wonderful comedy and everyone should take the time out to read it. I hope the author might some day make a movie out of this. I think it might could fall on the lines of a good TV Series!!!! Anjali Banerjee is a goddess at writing. I loved every minute of her book. Will look forward to the next one.

Even though I am an American I love this genre of books. It is well written, tells a story of triumph over trouble and how those involved make it through thier lives. I wondered if the Bollywood star was somewhat modeled after Aish!

In her second novel, Banerjee weaves a love story brimming with Indian culture and magical elements. I enjoyed this book and I think it would appeal to teens as well as adults.

Banerjee is quickly emerging as the Sophie Kinsella of Indian-spiced chick-lit. This book was so amazing that I bought it for all of my girlfriends and they're STILL raving to me about it.

The book is a charming, sweet portrayal of the intersection between eastern and western culture. Lakshmi is a compelling character with the power to perceive the deepest desires of those around her - so she's great at her job helping to run her mother's sari shop. But her ability disappears just as she begins to fall for the hunk-tastic driver of a snobby Bollywood actress who comes into the shop one day. Eek, the plot is so fun and well-imagined that I can't do it justice here! Just grab the book and prepare for an awesome read. Invisible Lives has everything: mother-daughter relationships, romantic chemistry, magic, snobby celebrities, forbidden love, .... gah, I wish I could contain my love of this book in one measley review!

INVISIBLE LIVES is a sweet and sort of predictable read in that chick-lit way, but the Indian and paranormal twists make it good fun and add a unique element to the more predictable parts of the story.

Lakshmi Sen is a young Indian woman in Seattle with an odd ability to read people's emotions. She physically sees them (this is the supernatural part of the story but it is not addressed as supernatural--the story is not about explaining this ability), and this gives her a great advantage where she works in her mother's sari shop.

Lakshmi's life is going along fairly smoothly. She has a good job, and her family has found a good Indian doctor for her to marry. The excitement that a Bollywood star brings to the shop, however, disrupts her life more than one would think. Whenever the star's handsome chauffeur is around, Lakshmi's special abilities that make her so good at finding the perfect sari for anyone, disappear.

What's a girl to do?

Lakshmi is a powerful and memorable character, and her story is a fun, fast-paced read. The story is quite well-written, and Lakshmi's extra abilities are approached very interestingly, as just a part of who she is rather than the entire story. It's an excellent book, but it does lack a bit of a spark. I'd still pick up more by Anjali Banerjee, and recommend this novel.

Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce

"Invisible Lives" is a delightful portrayal of Indian life in Seattle. Through the gentle, yet complex characters of Lakshmi Sen and her family, readers are cued into the culture of second generation Indians living in America. With lovely prose("since my earliest days, saris have carried the whispers of my ancestor") and reflective musing,("I was too young to understand the power of pride-and fear-that can make us turn from what we want the most"), Ms. Banerjee relates a sweet tale of love and personal choice. I'm looking forward to Anjali's next book!

"Invisible Lives" is a delightful story and my first introduction to the talent of Anjali Banerjee. It was a trip into another culture mostly unknown to westerners of saris, silks, arranged marriages, obligation to family and India. The reader's sympathy is developed towards the main character who at first appears trapped by the family business. Yet she has a magical gift that fits perfectly into that business. You see her concern for her widowed mother's happiness, and you see how she is ready to help others with this special gift she has. She doesn't think much for herself until a chance meeting of someone turns her life completely upside down. I wasn't ready for the story to be done and wanted it to go on and on. Thanks for a good read Anjali!

I loved this story. It was about a woman used to sacrificing for her family discovering there is another way to happiness. I loved the characters. I loved the turns of phrase, the deeply-infused, but not overblown, description.

Every book should be read for itself, judged on its own merits, not because one is looking for a story _like_ the work of another author. Thank goodness Anjali Banerjee's voice is unique. Thank goodness her characters are drawn with such a deft hand.

I look forward to more of Ms. Banerjee's work.

Luscious writing and sparkling tastes of Indian culture make this a terrific summer read. I loved the storyline, especially the magical and colorful saris that Lakshmi recommends for her clients. It reminded me of Chocolat!