In conversation with Madhuri Banerjee

Madhuri Banerjee’s latest book My Clingy Girlfriend looks at romance from a man’s perspective in a fun-light-hearted way. We spoke to her about the characters, her inspiration for the book, and how to deal with clingy, possessive partners.

What motivated you to write this book?
As an author I like challenging myself. I have been writing about romance from a woman’s perspective for a long time and I just wanted to challenge myself and do something different and spin it around from a man’s perspective. So, instead of making it a soppy, heartbreaking kind of story, I wanted to make it funny and humourous and real and identifiable. I have a lot of guy friends who tell me about the women in their lives. I amalgamated all their experiences and created this character of an extreme women called Radha. I guess it’s all of those experiences that motivated me to write this book.

Why clingy and not psycho?
A clingy girlfriend is insecure and possessive and that was what Radha is for me. I think a psycho girlfriend would do more violent things. I did not want to bring terror or violence into the story.

Don’t you think My Clingy Girlfriend reinforces already existing stereotypes?
I tried to break stereotypes with my previous book Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai. There are three in the series. Delhi will be out this year and Kolkata will be out next year. I have also tried to break stereotypes with the titles of my books like How To Lose Your Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas, Mistakes Like Love And Sex. So, as a woman and an author I have been trying to break stereotypes for the last six years of my career as an author. I have been trying to break stereotypes through my last four novels. So, with this book I was not trying to break stereotypes I just wanted to tell a simple story which was fun and interesting and make people laugh.

What was your aim through this book?
It’s not just a great laugh, fun, hilarious book. The point of it was also to make men have some identifiably with Obrokranti, a relate-ability to maybe a clingy girlfriend they have had in their life and for them to cherish the relationship that they currently have. And if they do they have a clingy girlfriend to figure out a way to stand up for themselves and decide where the relationship is going.

Why are these two people who are clearly bad for each other even together?
These two characters are a bit exaggerated for the book to be funny but they are based in real situations, have real characteristics and have relateable scenarios.  Many women have found creeps, and men who  are far from gentlemanly in their behaviour. So, when they do find a nice decent man they want to hold on to him. And they become possessive. Alternatively, a nice decent man will not be rude or abrasive or aggressive with his woman because he also believes in gender equality and is trying to find a balance in being a better partner/boyfriend. So that’s why they are together. Not that he should be more aggressive but be more aware of what he needs and she should be strong enough to live an independent life.

Tips to handle a clingy partner
Talk to your partner to find out why he or she is insecure. And then smoothen out the problems. Individually understand your dependency issues on this relationship that won’t allow you to question the other person’s motives.

Book Review: My Clingy Girlfriend 
By Madhuri Banerjee

Author Madhuri Banerjee’s latest work is a funny take on relationships focusing on stereotypical roles of a man and woman in a live-in relationship. She is also the author of How To Lose Your Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas, Mistakes Like Love And Sex, Advantage Love and Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai. 

Story Told from a man’s point of view, My Clingy Girlfriend makes you question the reliance of a clingy woman on a seemingly helpless man. As you turn the pages, you begin to question why these two are together? It’s a toxic relationship and a means to an end. One wants sex and a maid to do the chores the other wants a cash cow she can milk for finances, sex and whatever else comes along as a bonus. 

Review You don’t feel any sympathy for the characters. At least, I did not, as as dysfunctional as the relationship may appear, the so-called adults have chosen to be in it. What the novel does for you, is put the stereotypical  relationship clichés in front of you and makes you question on which side you stand. Even if you don’t pick sides, you still get to chuckle at the witty observations, the so-called relationship guides or advice, which if followed may or may not work for you, as no relationship romantic or otherwise has a ready template for success. 

Verdict Pick this one as a guide to relationships you should avoid getting into and the qualities you should ideally detest rather than admire in both men and women.