Sometimes, you read a book and feel that everything is happening in front of your eyes. In short, you visualize the characters, their conversation. Something similar happened to me when I read Patna 800020 written by Daisy Bala. When I first heard the title, I thought it to be a mystery novel. But to my surprise, it is a sweet story of a family just like yours and mine. This book was previously a part of Blogchatter’s E-book carnival and thats where I read it. But afterwards, Ukiyoto publishing published it. Now it is available at Barnes & Noble as well. So, let’s see what Patna 80002, A Family drama Unfolds is all about.

Book details:

Book title: Patna 800020, A Family Drama Unfolds

Author: Daisy Bala

Publication: Ukiyoto

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 43

Format: Ebook (Pdf) and Paperback

Rating: 4.5/5

Amazon Paperback : https://www.amazon.com/dp/9354900062

Amazon KDP: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0999RQTJZ

Synopsis:

Patna 800020, A Family Drama Unfolds by Daisy Bala, is a fiction drama of an upper-middle-class Kayastha family that lives in Patna. The Book Cover is drawn by the author. It speaks about the characters from the story – Dr. Bimal Prasad – a Homeopathic Practitioner, his family, his wife, Barkha Devi- a Hindi school teacher, and their four children – Sushma(Badki), Kanchan, Chutki, and the youngest son Golu. 

It is mainly about the day-to-day plights that a middle-class family goes through in life. How problems come and go, but life goes on. It is also about how we have to forget our worries and welcome our guests with full excitement. Each family member has some unique traits. Dr.Bimal Prasad made every possible effort for upbringing his three daughters like a son. Sushma and Kachan didn’t comply with the tomboyish upbringing, but Chutki filled those gaps. She never fails in putting her point fearlessly.

Sushma served as the pillar of strength for the family that sometimes, Barkha Devi felt the motherly support from her. She was working as a lecturer at Delhi University and has refused to talk about her marriage. Yet, she had her secrets which her family was unaware of. Kanchan was finishing up her BA in Home Science. Golu, on the other hand, was a 6th grader whose life was all about food, fun, and laughs and who never run out of his Hathi (elephant) and Cheenti (ants) jokes.  

Story at a glance

Patna 800020, A Family Drama Unfolds

The story started with Rakhi celebration at GeetaSadan (Name given to their house after Dr.Bimal Prasad’s mother). The celebration was followed by the preparations for an alliance that came for Kanchan who was dreaming Bollywood style wedding. The entire Geeta Sadan was in full celebration mode until Chutki reveals a shocking truth about the boy. It gives a new angle to the marriage topic. 

 What happens next? What is this new development at Geeta Sadan? And what is the secret about Badki? Will Golu continue with his Hathi-Cheenti jokes? What future holds for Chutki? Everything you will know when you will read this Patna80020. 

My thoughts about Patna 8000020, A Family Drama Unfolds

In these 13 chapters book, readers will find a homely feel. Those who have lived in Patna will find many occasions to relive their days. The author has used easy and casual language with a perfect blend of Hindi and English sentences. What makes the book a pleasant read for even non-Hindi readers is she has translated the Hindi phrases in English as footnotes. Even though I didn’t grow up in Patna, but I felt a connection. 

On the one hand, the author took care of the entertainment part. On the other hand, she has made an effort to talk about many malpractices of society like dowry, eve-teasing, orthodox thoughts about girl’s education and marriage, or inter-caste love. Along with this, the author shed some light on self-image, the strong side of a girl’s personality when she has to stand for herself, and pursuing sports as her career.

What could have been better:

It was indeed a pleasant read, but there is always room for improvement. As a reader, I felt the book ended very quickly. There was a scope for a few more chapters. The character of Sushma (Badki) could have been elaborated.

After reading this book, I was curious to know a few things. Who could be a better person than the author to answer them. 

1. The reason behind choosing this name?

Daisy Bala: The memory of writing letters to my cousins and grandfather in Patna stayed with me. I remembered the pin code whenever I was addressing the envelopes. I used that to title my ebook and create a story around Geeta Sadan. 

2. Is there a connection between the characters and your life?

Daisy Bala: Though the characters are fictitious, some are loosely based on my memories of the summer holidays that I spent in Patna with my grandparents. My happiest days to date are the moments I spent there as a kid, relishing time with all my cousins. I have a deep impact of those merry memories. Jawahar ki dulhin, Dantawale Dadaji, and Anuj walked straight out of my memory album on the ebook pages.

3. Have you stayed in Patna?

Daisy: Bala I have never stayed in Patna, but the three months spent every year in the summer were enough to bombard me with anecdotes and emotions. We all cousins together were the almost same age and used to have a blast throughout. Be it the hot, humid afternoons on the patio or star-spangled evenings on the terrace, each moment was filled with love, laughter, and joy. 

4. As the author of this book, which of the characters do you feel the most connection with?

Daisy Bala: I felt connected with Barkha Devi because I understood her anxiety and apprehensions regarding marrying 3 daughters, especially in a small town like Patna where conservative upbringing comes as a by-product. However, the astute balance with which she was working independently and still managing the household chores is impeccable. She, I believe, is the pillar of the family and keeps things sane and progressive. 

About the author:

Daisy is a blogger at freshdaisiesdotme.. She is passionate about writing poetry and stories. Daisy has published her nature poetry eBook “Blossoms and foliages” on kindle, this year. Her work has been published in anthologies and online journals with Sharing Stories, Kalamanthan, Literoma, Chrysanthemum Chronicles, Innsaei Journal, etc. In addition, her pieces have been published with Womans Web, Silver Birch Press, Creative Talents Unleashed, Blogadda, and TOI blogs. She was also a finalist in Orange Flower Awards for Hindi poetry in 2020. Currently, she is lives in Chicago suburb with her husband and 2 kids.

Final Verdict:

I will recommend this book if you are looking for a quick and light read. I am sure you will go back to your days at your parent’s place.