Rheea’s TGWKFIL is the kind of book that wakes you up from a deep slumber to the reality of the world. The protagonist Kaya who is 40, has loved many times in the past, each with all her heart. But when she finds A, a fellow activist on a random day, she falls in love once again. But this isn’t a typical love story. Nor is it an entirely political story. Rheea has cleverly dipped her toes in all things relevant be it the political, social and cultural state of our country. But beyond all this, she has somehow managed to come up with a way to build a protagonist who holds up a mirror at us. Because she carries much of our own identity in herself.

My favourite part of the story was undoubtedly the dystopian aspect of it, making it seem very much like The Animal Farm but also different in many ways. We see leftist parties holding protests, Kaya’s own relationship with A that was born on the stairs of one such protest. We get a picture of Kaya’s growing up years in America and then in India and her complete humaneness to make errors. Kaya carries guilt, fear, insecurity and also a sense of shame for her behaviour towards others but that’s what makes her human. We see parents who really shouldn’t be parents, friends who drain you and lovers who teach you things.

TGWKFIL is a complex tale about the system we’re stuck in. It has a lot to offer and Rheea’s witty writing makes it all the more compelling. She writes with a sharp flick that has the power to slap facts onto your face but also has the ability to coo words of wisdom. I can’t recommend this enough.

Thanks for the copy @penguinindia ✨