The Copenhagen Affair | Amulya Malladi

PLOT: 3/5
CHARACTERS: 4/5
WRITING STYLE: 4/5
CLIMAX: 3.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“It’s a common mistake to assume that emotional baggage will disappear if one changes geographies. There are many who think that a change in weather is all that is needed to set everything that is wrong with a person right.”
~ Amulya Malladi, The Copenhagen Affair

My Musings

While I was browsing for new titles in the Kindle Unlimited section, I came across the book, The Copenhagen Affair. In the mood for a light and girly read, I quickly downloaded this one and started reading it.

I had come across Amulya Malladi’s name every now and then on some book review platform or the other, but I never really got around to reading her books.

Finally, it has happened and I only have good things to say about the experience. Read on to know more about my thoughts on this book.

What to expect?

The Copenhagen Affair isn’t that light a read as I had expected it to be. It is a story which has something of everything – it has mystery, thrill, a sense of adventure, romance, illicit relationships, and a lot of drama.

But what it essentially talks about are just two things – marriage and depression. The two are interrelated in the book but at the same time, they are not.

Wondering what I am talking about? Well, you got to read the book yourself to know more.

What is the story like?

Sanya, the protagonist of our story is a middle-aged working woman who has been really good at balancing her husband, kid and work. She is an optimist who always looks at the brighter side of things but that all changes when one day she has a nervous breakdown at work.

Harry, her husband, decides to temporarily shift base to Copenhagen in Denmark where he is scheduled to arrive to close a business deal. He figures that the change of place and people would be good for Sanya and brings her along.

Sanya arrives albeit a bit reluctantly; a dark-skinned Indian American trying to find her footing in a city famous for its blondes.

She soon comes across Anders Ravn, a man who comes with a promise of something exciting and adventurous. Sanya finds herself confused and losing control.

But there is more to this man than meets her eyes. Rumour has it that Anders has got himself stuck into a white collared crime and this inadvertently is going to affect Harry and his business deal.

How good are the characters?

There is something about all the characters of this book that appeals to you. When I talk about characters, The Copenhagen Affair has a multitude of them and almost all of them have a certain aura.

It sure takes a little time to remember their names and their place in the story but once you have juggled through a couple of pages, on and off, the journey ahead becomes an easy and interesting one.

Sanya, the protagonist of our story along with the two men in her life – Anders Ravn and Harry – is a character to look forward to in the book.

What about the author’s writing style?

The Copenhagen Affair makes you fall in love with Denmark. The author describes the country and its culture so vividly that it just makes you want to go and visit the place right away.

There are many aspects of the author’s writing which make the book click – the easy breezy writing, the varied but relatable characters, the perfect setting, and the light humour with just the right tinge of darkness.

There is this feeling of thrill and adventure throughout the book that is difficult to let go of.

Let’s talk about the climax

The book has a climax that isn’t bad but at the same time, it isn’t a great one too.

There is a surprising twist in the end. But certain questions remain unanswered for the readers and that is something which doesn’t do well for a reader like me. I like answers and I am often left unsatiated when I don’t get them.

There was also a hint of possibilities which the author teased us about throughout the book but in the end, it was a dead end.

Overall, the climax can be best described as okay-ish.

It all boils down to the entertainment quotient

When it comes to the entertainment quotient, this book has a generous dose of it.

The author takes us on a roller coaster ride that is the life of Sanya. It is quite a thing to read about Sanya’s many adventures and misadventures in Denmark, Harry’s role reversal in his domestic life, the raw and unnerving charm of Anders Ravn, the eccentricity of Mandy, and the boldness of Penny.

There is enough in the story and the characters, to keep one hooked on without losing even an ounce of interest.

Pick up the book

If you are looking for a chick-lit.
If you want to read a book which talks about marriage and depression albeit in a light manner.
If you enjoy books that are based in different countries and books that indulgently talk about the culture, place, people and language of that country.
If the idea of a protagonist who is a -something self-made woman in the middle of a resonates with you.

Skip the book