Sunday

Aisle Be Damned - Book Review


About the Book 
Title: Aisle Be Damned
Author: Rishi Piparaiya
Publisher: JAICO Publishing House
ISBN: 978-81-8495-465-4
No. of pages: 214
Price: INR 250
Genre: Humor

About the Author

Rishi Piparaiya is an over-worked and over-travelled corporate executive based in the skies, 38,000 feet over India. He heads sales and marketing for a financial services multinational. His other professional claims to fame include running football betting syndicates in Spain and setting up random internet businesses that contributed to the dotcom bust.

The Cover Speaks

"Swaying hips, praying lips and flying tips" scripted on the front of the book with the image of an air hostess passing through the aisle of the plane catches one's eye and for once compels the reader to browse through the pages for what all red hot stuff they carry.

The rear cover has some says from the first readers starring the book as a good pick to laugh through the pages.

" Absolutely first -rate sense of humor... a must read for harassed travelers, frequent or otherwise!" - Jerry Rao.
"I read... this veritable from start to finish in one go... Rishi's writing is as fluid as his surname is complex." - Cyrus Broacha.

A Hilarious Take on just about Everything Associated with Air Travel.
- Getting seamlessly upgraded to Business Class.
- The hows and whys of micromanaging the pilots.
- Action plans to counter the airlines Technical Snag routine.
- Sure shot strategies for winning the affections of flight attendants.
- Awesome icebreakers to start conversations with attractive co-passengers.
- How smart executives deal with the Walk of Shame to the economy section.
- How a water bottle dramatically improves flight safety.
- Breezing through immigration and customs, always making your flight connections and a whole lot more.
Rest assured, your flying experience will never be the same again!

Book Review

The book is a hilarious take on the air journey. The way author starts with a list of the things to be carried while travelling amuses the reader. And the reasons mentioned later why to carry them makes you roll on the floor. Rishi starts his book from the thought of planning an air travel to the entering into the place called airport and then the entire journey from check-in to check -out.
 It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression, ‘as pretty as an airport’. – Douglas Adams.

The author has covered every minute details while travelling. He has collected all his experiences and penned down this book in his amusing tone. He tells you everything from how to entice the lady behind the screen to upgrade your ticket to business class to how to manage to get your arms rested if you get a middle seat. Why should you carry a sack of birdseed for a safe travel or a masala dabba to ensure a pleasant journey leaves the readers laughing out loud. 

Air travel has traditionally come with more than its share of flamboyance, ostentation and romance. Rishi goes on to prove this. He reasons why window seats should be preferred for not only staring at fluffy , candy floss clouds but for aisle passengers get shafted more during hijacks. His weird reasons yet sensible arguments keeps the reader trapped. He tells you how to kick start conversation with business tycoons and make the flight attendants take extra care of you. 

This book is a complete package of laughter gags while you reach your destination. It will guide you throughout the journey with funny do's and dont's. Even if haven't experienced air travel, give it a shot with this book and you will come to know what lies behind the flamboyant air travel tradition.

In a Nutshell

The author has put down his views in an impeccable humorous way. This book will serve as the best catch-up read during your travel. Don't forget to put it in your travelling bag.

My Rating

4/5

Hioy'oy Hoi Polloi
JJJ

       
The book was received as part of Reviewers Programme on The Tales Pensieve.