The Copenhagen Affair by Amulya Malladi β 306 pages
Book Blurb:
Sanya was always the perfect wife, but after a breakdown at her office, itβs her husband Harryβs turn to step up. His proposal? A temporary move to Copenhagen, Denmarkβs capital city. He needs to be there to close a business deal and figures the change of scenery will do her good. Soon Sanya goes from hiding under her duvet to hiding in plain sightβa dark-skinned Indian American in a city of blondes. Within Copenhagenβs glamorous high society, one man stands outβnot only because of his intriguing scar but because heΒ sees Sanya in a way Harry hasnβt for years. Anders Ravn owns the company Harry wants to acquire, and soon Sanya begins to fall for him. As allegations of white-collar crime arise, she learns of Harryβs infidelity, and having an affair with Anders seems ever more tempting. Surrounded by old money, smoked fish on dark breads, and way too many bicycles, Sanya slowly moves from breakdown to breakthrough, but where will she end upβand with whom?
My Review: 4 stars
The Copenhagen Affair is the authorβs love letter to Copenhagen that also tackles some serious issues. This is Malladiβs seventh novel and although Iβve enjoyed them all,Β my favorite will always be A Breath Of Fresh Air.
The author admits that she was battling depression when she wrote this so it only seems apropos that the main character would be afflicted as well. Writing about depression canβt be easy unless you have the empathy to do so. If you or a loved one has suffered from this, you can tell that the descriptions seem spot on. How easy one can fall back into the darkness is shown in many instances.
The beauty of the novel is outside the βbreakdownβ as the main character Sanya call it, is a heaping dose of laughter. Sanya is a wife that doesnβt nag, a hands-on mother, dutiful friend, full-time career woman and a disappointment to her Indian parents. Although brilliant and cunning at work, sheβs deemed βless thanβ due to the fact sheβs not a doctor. When she implodes, she realizes just how much she gave – body, soul and mind, to everyone and everything around her. Suddenly, a new Sanya emerges and sheβs taking care of herself. It doesnβt hurt that this new version gets to find herself in Copenhagen, one of Β the happiest cities on earth. Besides the weather, it did seem idyllic and a place Iβm moving up on my bucket list. The sights, sounds, and smells of Copenhagen cameΒ alive on the page.
Of course as she begins the journey forward, she explores new βfirstsβ and lives outside the box. She also begins to test her boundaries with other men after realizing some truths about her handsome husband. Being inside Sanyaβs head was not a bad place to be for just under 300 pages. The bedroom romping, the daring dates and dancing, the pure boldness of some characters and Sanyaβs call it like you see it attitude kept me engaged until the end. There were also many moments that pressed the reader to think about regarding marriage, fidelity, what constitutes an affair and being equally present in a relationship.
Great book for a juicy discussion, especially is the participants are willing to open up to one another.
Quotes I liked:
Anxiety is depressionβs good friend, and sometimes they party together.β
-βLove is recognizing yourself in another.β
-βSometimes soul mates donβt meet at the right time.β
Shop on Amazon Here!
