Dial A for Aunties: Letters from a Crisis Paperback – 27 April 2021

I had fun reading this book, diverse Asian culture, a mom keen to see her daughter date, a secret cute love story, tight knit loyal family, funny English Indonesian slangs, dialogues exchanges, wedding dramas & a body to hide. Oh the Aunties 🤗 First time am reading Jesse Sutanto’s book. Impressed. Will read more of her books. This isn’t exactly a thriller, but is a murder cum comedy drama type. Finished this in 7hrs.

What a fun ride this book was! Dial A for Aunties is a kind of dark comedy where elements of humour and slapstick comedy combine with a murder, the urgent need ro hide the dead body and a girl (once again) meets boy scenerio which leads to some really weird, fun and comic situations. Throw in a grand Chinese-Indonesian wedding; typically south Asian parents and relatives; a plot to steal wedding valuables and voila! You are set for a hillarious ride where, by the end, almost all becomes hunky dory once again.This one had me laughing hard at so many places and i could empathise with the protagonist who is 'filial' and feels the urge to obey her mother and her aunties at every cost. In some ways then, it also becomes a coming of age fun story. The title is a clear homage to Dial M for Murder, but the two couldn't have been more different.If you have watched the British film Death at a Funeral, you can imagine what i mean when i say that the book gave me similar vibes. If you haven't, well, go ahead and watch the film and read this book.P.S. Please don't search for logic here

I was really excited to read this and expecting a lot. I mean, a humorous story of an Asian American as she accidently kills her date!? (This aint a spoiler, relax). Doesn't that sound intriguing? I really wanted to see how things get pulled off. And what I read wasn't quite what I had in mind.First of all, apart from Meddy I didnt think anybody else was sane enough. It's a murder for gods sake, and the Aunties are all cool about it? I do get the point that its supposed to be funny, but only until it gets bizarre! The plot graph bent in meandering curves with highs and lows all throughout. I was getting the humour initially, and then it all went dark. I imagined, had it been a movie, it would have been something like the Hangover, which would have been great really. But it was reaally different reading it.I do like good humor, but only when its relatable and the characters sound rational.And what is it with stories and their unrealistic representation of men? 😢 How are we supposed to not fall in love with them and find such men in real life? Nathan is just so perfect that I almost cried out loud while reading about him. Such men do not exist, and even though my heart was giddy with pleasure I couldn't forget the fact that he was all but an illusion. I wish it was a bit more relatable.It wasn't all that bad though. I really loved Meddy's Aunties by the end. I envied Meddy. I know it can get suffocating at times to be under the radar of expectations of so many elders but some people just do not realise how lucky they are to have that kind of love and warmth in their lives. I was glad Meddy did. I mean just think, how often do you hear relatives putting their lives on the line for each other for something even remotely complicated or difficult? Let alone murder! I think one would definitely enjoy this humorous thriller if you simply read it for what it is. I don't know, may be 'cause it was my first time reading from this genre, I wasn't prepared for what it entailed. But now I'mma read more and find out.

Fine paper quality, good print. Although the binding is a bit stiff but compared to the price, it's fine.

It’s a hilarious book and you’ll love it.

The book came in great condition, and was delivered with promptly.

Hilarious book. Giggled throughout. It did become slightly incredulous towards the end and had a Weekend at Bernie's sort of feel to it. But all in all, a gripping plot with plenty of laughs thrown in. The book is peppered with Chinese and Indonesian phrases which I found difficult to make sense of, a glossary might have been handy. Can't wait to read your next, Jesse.

Although the story is not much, the book is extremely funny.