Title: Manhattan Alien
Author: B.K. Mhatre
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 9781524586843
Pages: 309
Genre: Literary Fiction, Action/Adventure, and Mystery/Thriller
Reviewed by: Jenn Weiss
Hollywood Book Reviews
Bond is a young doctor from India, who had come to America to pursue the American Dream. While he prepared for things to be different in America, he didn’t expect how different they would be, including the differences in the language. The America he learned about and studies becomes different than the America he experiences, primarily in Chicago. During his stay he meets a young medical student who becomes not only his friend but also his teacher in the American ways. She molds him from the nerdy doctor in one with a smart mouth and take no prisoners attitude. Along the way he learns how to open up his heart and mind to her and becomes a stronger doctor for it.
While reading Manhattan Alien, one can tell that the author has experienced many of the events in the novel. Readers will get the feeling that they are reading someone’s reflections and memories of certain events. We see Bond learning different things such as the meaning of “dude” or to not stare at a woman’s cleavage. There are many elements that are humorous and fun to read about. But it is also a sort of eye opener to how different America and its language can be to someone who is not from here. Mhatre writes in a way that is not only easy to understand and entertaining, but allows the reader to get a firm grip and understand the thought process and emotions that go along with learning the various rules and customs of the culture as a whole as well as all the subcultural nuances.
Through his writing, Mhatre makes it easy for readers to empathize with Dr. Bond as he struggles with the opposite sex and his general awkwardness in various situations. Manhattan Alien makes for a fun and realistic afternoon reading, a book that is rather difficult to put down. Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats waiting to see how Dr. Bond will handle a certain situation, even if they don’t realize they are doing it. The illustrated cartoons added a little whimsical touch to the story and made it all the more enjoyable.
While the author did a great job writing the book and telling his story, there are a few minor editorial errors that some readers may stumble upon, but nothing too drastic. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy books about immigration, learning new cultures and adapting to a new way of life.