LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

Life Is What You Make It by Preeti Shenoy is at its core a love story, set across

India in the late eighties and early nineties. It is a story of love, hope and how

determination can overcome even destiny. Preeti Shenoy has established

herself as an elegant writer with novels like 34 Bubble Gums and Candies and

establishes her versatility all the more with this novel. It was first published in

2011 by Srishti Publishers and Distributors. It has 209 pages and is priced at

just Rs. 100.

Set across two cities in India, “Life Is What You Make It” is a gripping account

of a few significant years of Ankita’s (the protagonist’s) Life. Ankita Sharma has

the world at her feet. She is young, good looking, smart and has tonnes of

friends and boys swooning over her.

College Life is what every youngster dreams for and she also manages to get

into a premier management school for her MBA. Six months later her life is in a

mess. She is a patient in a mental health hospital. How did she get there? What

were the events that led to this? Will she ever get back her life again?

Life has cruelly and coldly snatched that which meant the most to her and she

must now fight to get it back. It is a deeply moving and inspiring account of

growing up, the power of faith and how determination and an indomitable

spirit can overcome even what destiny throws at you. It is a tale, at its core a

love story, that makes us question our beliefs about ourselves and our concept

of sanity and forces us to believe that life is truly what one makes it.

The novel tries to spread awareness about bipolar disorder, a mental infection

which is characterised by extreme mood swings. It reminds one of his/her

college days. The adventure of one’s first kiss, first love, first motorcycle ride

and lots more. Besides this, the writer charms the reader with her incredible

narration and mesmerising story telling technique.