Mrs Funnybones by Twinkle Khanna
“Life is full of contradictions. We crave security and independence in equal measures.”
– Twinkle Khanna
Specifics:
Book: Mrs Funnybones
Author: Twinkle Khanna
Published: 18th Aug’15
Genre: Humour, Autobiography
Publisher: Penguin India
Pages: 248
My rating: 2.5/5
Blurb:
Mrs Funnybones is a compilation of satirical stories written by Twinkle Khanna for various newspapers. The book captures some hilarious incidences in her daily life and her amusing take on each of them.
Humour: The author has an opinion about everything and she presents most of her thoughts in a humorous way.
Almost everyone has a similar family story in India and this is what Mrs Funnybones or rather Twinkle Khanna pokes fun at. The husband who’s the “man of the house”, the crazy mothers in law, friends and of course the constant jibes at her weight make it an intriguing read. Everything comes together to leave the reader cackling away in laughter.
“Our little satellite reached Mars because it was called MOM. If it was called DAD, it would still be circling the Earth, lost, but not willing to ask for directions.”
– Twinkle Khanna
Review:
Detailing the funniest versions of the day to day life in her household, Twinkle Khanna manages to steal a few laughs with her book. Her writing style is very much blog-like. Since it is not a work of fiction, I think that is acceptable.
The book is divided into 26 chapters which each begin with the respective letter of the alphabets. While it was clever, some of them were not justified.
Each chapter has a funny story, thought or list to begin with. Some of those were hilarious. I cannot say the same about all 26 of them though.
It is labeled as Humour or an autobiography. While some of the humour was evident, it was nothing close to an autobiography. We do not exactly learn anything about her personal life or her work. That was a tat bit disappointing. There is no connection between the chapters what so ever.
The book can be best described as a recollection of some of the incidents that have happened in the author’s life. Not all of them were funny, not all of them made sense.
The author’s personality surely shows off in it though. She is a strong and a vibrant woman, very effortlessly managing her work, her children and the responsibilities that accompany hailing from a famous family. She definitely has a sense of humour and is strong-willed. She is an inspiration.
Overall, the book was an easy read that can be finished in a single sitting and while it had its share of good jokes, it feels forced.
I rate it 2.5/5.
“Love in any relationship, family or an intimate friendship, is only about putting the other person’s needs ahead of your own, and that, my friend, is just as simple and as complex as you make it.”
– Twinkle Khanna
Reasons to pick up the book:
- Easy read (can finish in one sitting)
- Can get you out of a reader’s-block
- Will make you laugh
Cons:
- Forced humour
- Writing is more suited for a blog
- Not an autobiography
“nothing in life is sacred except laughter”
– Twinkle Khanna
Anushka's Bookish Shenanigans 