The Zoya Factor is my first venture into ‘chick-lit’ genre. Published by HarperCollins India in 2008, Anuja Chauhan’s debut novel has won various accolades in India. Anuja has shrewdly woven her advertising experience into a rom-com novel.
A chubby-cheek with curly mane girl, Zoya Singh Solanki is client service representative for AWB. Life throws her into roller-coaster turmoil when, while shooting an ad with Indian Cricket team, the squad suddenly realizes that Zoya was born at the very moment India had won the first Cricket World Cup in 1983. Surprisingly, having breakfast with Zoya leads to conclusive victories on the cricket field. Officially instated as the Lucky Charm for Cricket team, Zoya travels to Australia with her family for the World Cup. Unbridled gossip columns, luring offers from ad agencies and relationship with the Team’s captain messes up her mind. The Karol Bagh girl tries her best to balance her personal commitments and nation’s expectations as ‘Cricket Goddess’.
Half-way through the book and I realize the book is crammed with “Bollywood masala”. To be directed by Abhishek Sharma, starring Sonam Kapoor and Dulquer Salmaan – The Zoya Factor is a perfect blend of India’s favourite topics cricket and politics, catalyzed by love and superstition. The English and ‘Hinglish’ caricature sets the tone of the book and drapes it in Desi avatar. Zoya’s love-hate relationship with Nikhil Khoda will surely lure the audience.
For book-nerds, if you love rom-com and chick-lit genre, please add this book to your shelf! Head over to comment section and let us know if you have read the book. Reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views. Cheers to Reading!
Ordo Ab Chao 