Monday, July 10, 2006
How Opal Mehta Got Kissed Got Wild And Got A Life – Kaavya Vishwanathan (Okay)
I have been trying to lay my hands on “How Opal Mehta Got Kissed Got Wild And Got A Life”, but no bookstore sold it - for obvious reasons. I finally found it in a ‘used books’ store. The book may just be the most controversial book of this year. I think we need to cut the kid some slack. I’ve not read “Sloppy firsts” or “Second Helpings” and don’t plan on doing so anytime soon. I only read the book for the reason most people did - because a 17 year old girl got an amazing and unreal signing amount of half a million dollars and because of the controversy that surrounded the book. Like they say “any publicity is good publicity”.At 16, Opal is her high school's valedictorian, president of three honor societies, and first chair in the regional orchestra. She even took welding classes to appear well-rounded. Her admission to Harvard looks like a sure thing. But at Opal's interview with the Dean of Admissions, he sets aside her impressive resume and asks the one question she never saw coming: “What do you like to do for fun?” Opal is stumped and screws up the interview.
As an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) from suburban Woodcliff, New Jersey, Opal Mehta is urged to be part of an experiment for “young people who want to live and experience life.” She promptly turns to her greatest fans, her mega-involved, equally serious parents, who proceed to come up with a plan.
But the plot is far-fetched (Harvard is concerned about an applicant`s love life?) and predictable. And over bearing parents who manage their kid’s life using acronyms? Few parts are difficult to digest but overall the book was a fun read. It is a book that most teenagers would certainly enjoy.
# posted by Zette Remi @ 4:04 AM 
