Title: The House of Cards

Pages: 232

I, my daughter, my mother, all three of us are Sudha Murty fans. I have always loved her simple writing, which is reflected in my own writing. This book, too, is written in the signature Sudha Murty style, like her other books. Simple story, easy writing, with a middle-class family as the protagonist, presents Indian culture and values, and so on.

However, reading it in 2024, I felt that the story was not new. We have seen several Bollywood movies like this: love marriage, struggles, rising to fame, fame corrupting a husband, and eventual fallout in their relationship. However, it is purely my love for her simple writing and the characters that she presents that I read this book. The characters, again, are not new to us. We have seen several of them in movies and even in real life. Still, you feel attached to Mridula - the central character of the story. Her pain, her loneliness, that feeling of betrayal feels personal. 

The ending seemed abrupt but absolutely logical and fair. 

Rating: 3/5

Recommendation: I would recommend this book only for Sudha Murty fans. Otherwise, the story is not new. Even though the book was written many years ago, the story remains relevant in today’s time as well.