Book Review-Married On Paper

This book uncovers the façade of good and not -so -good side of long-distance relationships.

Dealing with the theme of mental health can be a daunting exercise or even a preachy affair. Not so with the young author Akriti Sharma. Kudos for treating this important subject so relevant to the current times in a balanced manner. ‘Married on Paper’ is a layered treatment that gently reveals the pitfalls of a long- distance relationships. The hard choice to focus on career goals, childhood issues, the insecurities and the guilt of both the protagonists are poignantly portrayed in this book.

A unique circumstance binds the protagonists  Mishkat, a highly educated psychiatrist from London and Nasya, a talented aspiring actress in Mumbai into wedlock within a few days of getting to know each other. Not willing to let go of their respective personal lives, they choose to focus on their careers- he is a doctor based in London and she, her acting in Mumbai and decide to stay apart. They  both reach the pinnacle in their careers , managing their marriage with those occasional vacations and get- togethers but soon things begin to fall apart . The strong facades begin to reveal vulnerabilities. What then begins is a journey of repair.

The book is a poignant story of what it takes for two people to truly come together in a marriage. Beautifully descriptive experiences gradually unveil a little more about their personalities and the marriage, making this a book not only about long-distance relationships but also about mental health issues like depression.

The simplistic language, well- sketched out and relatable characters are what make this book unputdownable and keeps you hooked till the very end.

Do physical distances matter in a relationship, are we ignoring our mental health in the pursuit of materialistic gains- this is a story that resonates with issues of current times, a story that makes us reflect and ponder on these life issues. ‘Married on Paper’ is a story that also acts as a guide in terms of depicting what really matters in life.

A must read by the young and old alike.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: AKRITI SHARMA

Akriti Sharma began her writing journey in her early teens. Initially limiting herself to poetry, she discovered her potential for writing stories during her short stint in performing arts at Barry John Acting Studio. She has penned down different stories on Wattpad, and her first story on the online platform was a fanfiction that has been recognized as one of the top eight Indian fanfiction stories by Wattpad India Official.

ABOUT THE BOOK REVIEWER: SMITHA

A CA by profession, an avid reader by passion and a public speaker by hobby.  When not hunting for stories in numbers, you will find her surfing the book world for new stories in words.