By Uma Sharma
Mansi Narula Kashyap is an emerging author on the literary horizon. Her new book Love by Chance, which was released recently, is being well received by readers. Love by Chance is the story of 16-year-old Jasmeet Sethi, fondly called Jessi, who is moving with her family from London to New Delhi. Highly strung up on petty things and changes in her life, she prefers to stay away from her obnoxious relatives and other negative people. Sometimes, Jessi thinks life sucks until she thinks about Samar Suri, her summertime buddy in New Delhi, her next-door neighbour and her on and off crush. In this interview for The News Porter, Mansi shares her inspiration behind writing Love by Chance, the changing face of female protagonist in modern times, her views on love, her insight as an author, and much more. Excerpts from the candid chat:
What was the inspiration behind writing this book?
The inspiration behind my novel LOVE BY CHANCE is to show that a young teenager is capable of carrying her own story. Through this story I wanted to portray the characters having healthy friendships at school, and throughout the story, they cry together, fight together, laugh together and then when it’s time to get separated by fate, they all realise the true meaning of friendship and love. Looking through the lens of teenage life, I have covered some crude topics such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and toxic relationships and the value of education and honesty.
What is the aspiration and ambition of Jessi, the protagonist?
Jessi is a typical teenager who has clear ideas about how to live her life. Sometimes, when she doesn’t understand the ways of the world; for example, her obnoxious relatives, she asks direct questions to her mom. Jessi wants that, like her generation, her mother too should be brave enough to hold on to those thoughts that she believes in. Jessi understands the significance of friendships and that is the reason she doesn’t mind being friends with a middle-class girl. She is the one who is hell bent on keeping the spirit of the friendship alive, even when there are huge differences between her classmates and friends. Thanks to her sensitive nature, she understands the value of family and finally understands what real love feels like.
How does the voice of Jessi mirror the voice of the contemporary Indian woman?
LOVE BY CHANCE is a novel that celebrates female voice; it is indeed a celebration of her opinions in a modern family like the Sethis. There are not too many but little instances in the novel that tell us there are still forces like the relatives or overpowered society that force the female protagonist to realise that her concerns are petty and her opinions aren’t needed, but she overcomes all of that. That is what the new generation is all about. They want to be fair to the accusations that hit them directly. They want answers. They don’t want to sit back and enjoy the depression. They want to go out and tell their family whatever they feel and in turn the young generation, especially females, demands support from them.
Do you think Jessi lays the path for future Indian women?
The channels have been opened and the daughters can communicate with their parents on anything that bothers them. I think this has led to a revolution in terms of setting up the right expectations and getting their opinions acknowledged. Also, in earlier generations, the mistakes by daughters used to be portrayed as no less than a crime but now I am happy to share that my protagonist is brave; she wants her way out without disrespecting the family. She wants to be heard by everyone and genuinely gains a special relation by discussing her school life with her mother. I think this in itself is a progressive thought.
What is your favourite book in the Romance genre and why?
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. No matter how difficult the times are, love remains between Fermina Daza and Florintino Ariza. His lovesickness for Fermina is often equated to cholera, as he is literally plagued by his passion for her. He is insane with love. He stalks Fermina and keeps watch on her house. He is drunk with his passion for her, and can think of nothing else. I loved the way the novel ended with both of them getting together. In the end, Florentino orders the captain of his ship to raise the yellow flag, thereby announcing the presence of cholera on board, so he and Fermina can be alone. Their love has become a disease, which ironically allows them to remain together through life and death.
Who is your all-time favourite male protagonist you would like to meet in real life and why?
Laurie from Little Women. Laurie loved the March family so much. He helps them in their tough times. When he says, ‘I will be there for you’. He was actually there for the March sisters. You need that kind of male protagonist in real life too.
How do you describe love?
Love is all about keeping your trust in the person you love. In all my books, I have shown love as a matured emotion wherein there is ample space for trust, patience, loyalty and support. Without these, love means nothing. Love could be distanced for some, but it takes a lot to stay in that kind of love. Both sides have to stay committed. For me, love is commitment to stay together no matter what.
Please share your invaluable insight as an author for new authors.
I am happy that the new authors are taking up new topics and titles for their books. That’s commendable. New authors need to understand that getting their scripts is of utmost importance. I am happy that we have our very own horror genre now. Thanks to some new young authors. New authors are writing short stories too, which I think needs to come back because we really miss the short stories of RK Narayan.
Uma Sharma is a journalist, writer and poet based in Delhi
