Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Fiction / Satire / Cultural Studies / Indian Literature

Book Review:
Gita Mehta's Karma Cola is a hilarious, sharp, and utterly original book that captures a moment in history when East met West in the most absurd ways imaginable. In the 1960s and 70s, thousands of Western seekers—hippies, spiritual tourists, and genuine believers—flocked to India in search of enlightenment. Mehta, an insider with a keen eye and a wicked wit, watches them come and skewers them with love. But this is not just a satire of Western naivety; it's also a portrait of India itself, a country trying to navigate modernity while being overwhelmed by its own mythology and the strange new demands of its visitors. The New York Times Book Review said, ''Evelyn Waugh would have rejoiced.'' Time called it ''a miracle of rationalism and taste.'' India Today praised its ''swift and cutting'' wit and ''electric and intense'' energy. The book is packed with crazy characters, wild scenes, and unforgettable dialogue. It's funny, insightful, and surprisingly compassionate. If you're interested in India, in the 60s counterculture, or just in brilliantly observed social satire, this book is for you. A classic for good reason.