Transformation's Aesthetics: A Look at Love by Chance
In the vibrant and multicultural landscape of India, a heartwarming story unfolds in Mansi Kashyap's novel, "Love by Chance". The book follows the journey of Jessi, a kind and respectful teenager, as she navigates her new life in India.
Jessi, aka Jesmeet Sethi, hails from London where she lived with her family. The move to India was prompted by her father's pursuit of a highly paid job opportunity in New Delhi. Along with her brother Monty, Jessi joins a new high school, marking the beginning of her transformation in the Indian setting.
The novel delves deeply into the mindscape of Jessi, exploring her emotional states as she grapples with diasporic stereotypes of loss and absence. Her character represents the Indian values of family loyalty and respect, which are evident in her adherence to her father's will.
Jessi's journey of finding her footing in India is not without challenges. She faces confrontation with her new school and struggles with trust issues towards boys, which are later tested by her relationships with Samar and Akash.
"Love by Chance" is more than just a teenager romance. It celebrates youth, camaraderie, friendship, family, and transformation. The book is infused with songs that evoke a Bollywood movie atmosphere, rejuvenating YA fiction in India.
The title, "Love by Chance", is considered apt and easy to understand for a common reader from India. While English is one of the national languages, a thorough knowledge is not necessary to survive in the country.
The narrative style of the novel is simple yet appropriate, experimenting with language to engage readers. The story might highlight conflicts arising from class, culture, or family pressures, adding complexity to character motivations. It may implicitly or explicitly examine tensions between contemporary values and traditional cultural norms, influencing character choices.
The novel serves as an example for allowing second chances in interpersonal relationships, as Jessi's heart finds "serendipity" despite several heartbreaks. Jessi finds her new best friend and love interest in the new landscape of her life in India, making "Love by Chance" a compelling read for anyone seeking a story of identity, self-discovery, emotional resilience, and love.
- Jessi, previously residing in London with her family, immerses herself in the fashion-and-beauty scene of her new Indian high school, embracing a refreshing change in her lifestyle.
- On social media, Jessi shares her journey of personal-growth and self-discovery in India, amassing a following who find resonance in her experiences and her love for books, particularly those falling under education-and-self-development and pop-culture categories.
- As Jessi navigates her new life in India, she encounters various challenges in her relationships, which are influenced by cultural differences and traditional norms, representing the complexities of contemporary Indian society as depicted in the sci-fi-and-fantasy inspired narrative of "Love by Chance."
- Amidst the backdrop of Indian pop-culture, the novel's creative use of music and Bollywood-esque atmospheres offer an entertaining experience, weaving tales of romance, friendship, and self-discovery that echo the deep-rooted Indian values of family, love, and emotional resilience.
