Family Planning: A Novel (P.S.) [Paperback]

Karan Mahajan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The patriarch of a chaotic family living in a hectic land must come to terms with himself and what he's wrought at home and at work in this excellent debut. Rakesh Ahuja battles the twin bedlams of his sprawling family and overcrowded home city of New Delhi while simultaneously trying to save his career as the minister of urban development. Rakesh attempts to manipulate and cajole his way through the corrupt and sometimes illogical Indian civil service, often finding himself embroiled in absurd intrigues. Home is no less fraught, where his 13 children battle each other for their often-absent father's love. The lone exception is Arjun, the eldest, whose adolescent rebellion and nascent romantic inclinations prompt him to form a rock band and pull away from his frenetic family. As Rakesh clumsily reaches out to his first-born son, the twists of fate that shaped both their lives are revealed, providing a portrait of a family that is both comical and heartbreaking. Mahajan's effortless blending of comedy and tragedy is irresistible and should help his book stand out. (Dec.)
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From Booklist

How does one carve his niche—his life—while remaining a loving member of the greater family? Arjun, the eldest of 13 children, straddles that tricky line of playing third parent while struggling to distance himself from his family. A normal day sees him changing diapers, flirting with his crush, and entertaining dreams of rock stardom. Arjun’s father is one of Delhi’s star officials, his mother is addicted to soap operas, and his 12 siblings  remain in a constant battle for those finite emotional resources from each other and their parents. Arjun never shuns his family but does critique his home life, saying “it was a house as pressure cooker.” Arjun’s struggles are compounded when he learns that his mother is not his birth mother, but is that of his siblings. This discovery prompts Arjun to debate the definition of a mother: she who birthed him or raised him? Like any debut, Family Planning has its hiccups, but it is an entertaining exposé of a unique family. --Blair Parsons

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (November 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006153725X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061537257
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #363,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #49 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Indian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dilly in Delhi, July 21, 2009

By	Dick Johnson (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

Our hero is a politician and father of thirteen - all still at home. I don't know which is scarier: a politician raising his own voter base; or raising thirteen kids. Thankfully, the terror stops there.

The fun, however, starts on page one and continues throughout the book. We have family follies and political pandemonium; coming-of-age and first-love; and lots of children.

I felt as if Mahajan was sitting next to me telling me the story; the writing was that real and 'friendly'. I am amazed that this is a first book. This being the P.S. edition, we also get the additional material from him in the back of the book.

Grab this one if you want to have fun and enjoy a satiric look at part of the life of India.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mature writing & insight from such a young author, January 6, 2009

By	Pia Gschossmann (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

Great new debut by such a young author with such insight into family situations. A must read for anyone interested in contemporary writing about India as well as the Indian culture. Looking forward to his next book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great breakout novel, December 16, 2008

By	Brittain Sexton "..." (Jackson, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Family Planning: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

Family Planning is a remarkable book from a young writer. I would recommend it for any fan of dark humor.