Rajeev Balasubramanyam:  Professor Chandra follows his bliss, 9781784742539, Chatto & Windus, (Penguin Random House) hardback, Publication date: January 2019

“Professor Chandra follows his bliss” is one of these absolutely  charming and uplifting books. Feeling a little down and out ? This book will pick you up, make you chuckle and put a smile on your face. Peppered with humor and wisdom in equal proportions, the book addresses in a lighthearted way such serious subjects as a failed family life, a broken marriage, estranged children and what life change could lead to happiness.

Professor Chandra’s life goal has been to win the Nobel Peace prize believing this would put a golden glow over his unsuccessful private life.  He is a self-righteous bastard who managed to wrack his marriage and drive away his three children. When he suffers a bicycle accident and a silent heart attack after learning the Nobel Peace prize in economics has surpassed him yet again, his doctor orders him to take time out and follow his bliss. This of course is all mumbo jumbo to a person who is deeply matter of fact and suspicious of emotions and anything that cannot be explained logically.  An offer for a guest professorship in California, where his divorced wife resides with his youngest daughter and her second husband, helps him to change his mind and soon Chandra finds himself a guest at his estranged wife’s house with her New Age savvy husband Steve. It is soon decided that what Chandra needs is to sign up for a course at the famous Esalen Institute to stretch his mind and emotional limits.  Although nearly 70, the journey of finding his own bliss begins which often feels more like a direct route to getting heart blisters.

I really loved going back to this intelligent, well written, funny novel which never failed to put me in an upbeat mood. The ending could have been less predictable but it did not spoil the quality of the book.