4 out of 4 stars
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Dry humor teams up with a series of atrocious characters in Tara Basi’s satirical novel, Masterminders. Set on a small island off Britain’s mainland, the storyline revolves around Terry and Bobby, two schoolboys who intelligently try to tackle a range of issues that affect them. Dubbed the 'Masterminders', the duo embarks on a succession of dodgy plans cooked up by quick-thinking Bobby as they comically try to solve women’s problems, contend with bullies on the playground, and even try to thwart the snowy weather by attempting to instigate global warming. The boys also rope in some of the island’s other residents to aid in their hilarious schemes such as the business-savvy Mr. Singh who is the owner of the Post Office cum Sweet and Chips Emporium. Apart from the boys’ funny shenanigans, they both face crippling family problems as Bobby’s dad is terminally ill and Terry’s mom is fighting a custody battle while working three jobs. The story is written from Terry’s often flummoxed and naive perspective, but this gives readers a genuine insight into life’s intangible truths like friendships, infatuation, poverty, death, and the challenges of growing up.
Very few books have ever made me laugh aloud, but this one certainly did. The deadpan humor was startling and childish in some cases, but it was still extremely enjoyable. For instance, the boys’ homemade women’s perfume (consisting of ewe’s colon, and a tin of curry powder) was a disgusting outrage to females everywhere, but the concoction was strangely powerful enough to dissolve layers of seagull poop from the butcher’s car! Another time, the boys pretended to be exceedingly religious so they could attract the girls they fancied, one of whom was a novice nun. I kept wondering about what funny scheme the boys’ would embark on next. I was not disappointed as each chapter provided me with more than enough literary amusement to keep me interested.
Aside from the comedic descriptions of the boys’ escapades, the characters in this book were shining gems of entertainment. Each one had distinct personalities and attributes which made them a joy to read about. The Indian culture in the book was attributed to Mr. Singh and his relatives. Bhangra music, Indian food, head waggling, saris, and volatile Indian women like Mummy-ji and Dimple added a touch of oriental spice to the book. One character, Mr. Dicklightly, was disturbingly funny. He seemed to be mildly paedophilic, but his antics were hilarious, such as when he read sensual scenes aloud (while naked) for public amusement and charity. Terry’s character was also admirable. His naivety, good-heartedness, and his naturally baffled nature were charming.
However, the thing which I really admired was the author’s ability to incorporate serious issues into the plot. Although the book was predominantly humorous, snippets of the boys’ backstories were present throughout it. I felt sad when I learned of Bobby’s sick father and the poverty that Terry’s mother was facing. At first, these were not made known directly, but their struggles were described in fleeting conversations, body language, and brief descriptions. These issues gave the book depth. It also made the plot more realistic and emotionally-moving.
There was nothing I disliked about this novel. It deserves 4 out of 4 stars for its witty humor, its memorable characters, and the characters' touching backstories. Furthermore, I think the book was edited fully because I had to try very hard to spot any errors. This book will appeal to a wide age group from older teens to elderly fans of humor and satire. It may not be suitable for younger audiences because it contains sexual innuendos.
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Masterminders
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