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A review by dude_watchin_with_the_brontes
Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam
4.0
Based on the title, I expected this to just be a light read, which was what I was looking for at the moment. It was a light read, but a lot more satisfying than most, because I didn't have to suspend any of my core beliefs to enjoy it.
Quite cathartic. The Irish Times review quoted on the book's website says "Spending time with Professor Chandra feels like you've been in therapy, in a good way." Clearly, Balasubramanyam has been to his own fair share of therapy, and he's found it useful. He fits group therapy and mindfulness practices into the book seamlessly, so I ended up learning a couple interesting techniques I'd like to use, without feeling like the book was just a frame for them. Interestingly, one of Professor Chandra's experiences reminded me of some of the trust exercises from Susan Choi's novel of that name. (Very vague semi-spoilers for both books:)
There is an element of caricature to almost every character (Professor Chandra himself very much included), and everyone's a little bit ridiculous, but there's a respect for everyone underneath it all, even for Steve and Sunny.
Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a light and/or light-hearted read.
Quite cathartic. The Irish Times review quoted on the book's website says "Spending time with Professor Chandra feels like you've been in therapy, in a good way." Clearly, Balasubramanyam has been to his own fair share of therapy, and he's found it useful. He fits group therapy and mindfulness practices into the book seamlessly, so I ended up learning a couple interesting techniques I'd like to use, without feeling like the book was just a frame for them. Interestingly, one of Professor Chandra's experiences reminded me of some of the trust exercises from Susan Choi's novel of that name. (Very vague semi-spoilers for both books:
Spoiler
Only, instead of leaving me feeling sick at the experience of overly exposed children manipulated by a sadistic teacher, it left me feeling introspective, and gave me a chance to sit with my discomfort as disparate adults completely consensually opened themselves up to other adults. I still had my doubts about the guy who ran the workshop Professor Chandra took, but he seemed more like a real therapist with a side of scam-artist-to-the-rich, rather than a sicko who liked to break children open to see what's inside.There is an element of caricature to almost every character (Professor Chandra himself very much included), and everyone's a little bit ridiculous, but there's a respect for everyone underneath it all, even for Steve and Sunny.
Spoiler
I think it's pretty funny how Sunny's posit that Chandra can make anything happen by wanting it enough, and making it manifest, turns out to be true, and yet neither Sunny nor Chandra comment on it. I still think Sunny's a terrible person, but I suppose if his neoliberal father is reformable, so is he.Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a light and/or light-hearted read.