Scanning the aisles of the local bookstore - destined to uncover a new summer read - I found myself staring at a hot-pink tiger spray-painted across a crisp white background. The cover reads "Londonstani" by Gautam Malkani. Thinking the title is either a joke or a really clever marketing idea, I flip to the first page of text, "Part One - Paki." I turn the page and read the entire first chapter, mesmerized by its originality.

Gautam Malkani writes a humorous and contemporary story about a group of young South Asian boys who organize a cell phone scam in Hounslow just outside of London, England. Malkani details the life and questionable activities of one young-boy in particular, Jas. Jas is a straight-A student and all around geek until he meets and befriends Harjit - a Sikh Punjabi who abuses his religion to justify his violent behavior, Ravi - a sex-obsessed and all around lover of South-Asian women, and Amit - who is dealing with "complicated family-related bullshit" surrounding his brother Arun's love-marriage.

"An engaging and entertaining first novel..."

The language Malkani uses is a mishmash of desi dialect ("pehndus", "goras"), hip-hop terms ("bredren", "blud"), and London slang ("posh", "innit"). This colloquial speech enhances the authenticity of the characters and brings them to life.

Describing Jas' insecurities with school, women, other South Asians, and his parents, "Londonstani" discusses issues that many second-generation "Desis" must confront. Read this book and you'll want to read it again. An engaging and entertaining first novel - "Londonstani" is a necessary addition to every South Asian's library.

Gautam Malkani will be at the 27th annual International Festival of Authors in Toronto: Saturday, Oct 21, 2006 8:00 pm
Reading
Location: Harbourfront, Brigantine Room, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto

Sunday, Oct 22, 2006 Noon
Round Table
Location: Harbourfront, Lakeside Terrace, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto

Enter to win 1 of 4 free copies of Gautam Malkani's "Londonstani" only on www.desiclub.com.

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