Title: Manhattan Alien
Author: B. K. Mhatre
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-152-4586843
Pages: 322
Genre: Romantic Fiction
Reviewed by: Sam McCullough
Pacific Book Review
If you’re looking for a funny, heartfelt book with a lot of emotions, look no further than Manhattan Alien. Author B.K. Mhatre weaves a tale about a young doctor named Dr. Bond who comes to the United States for the first time. He wants his own slice of the American dream, but he soon realizes that the USA is a lot different from his home country. While here, he becomes friends with Jen, a young medical student. They grow very close and he refers to her as his “guru,” teaching him how to live an American lifestyle. As they grow closer, the young doctor needs to make a decision on what’s going on in his heart. The book pulls you in from the prologue and keeps you hooked until the very end.
Manhattan Alien was written slightly based off of real experiences the author had, but most of it is stylized fiction. The writing style is fast-paced and funny. It can make you laugh, cry, smile, and cringe – just in one chapter! The character in the book is relatable. Even if you aren’t an immigrant, you can relate to the feeling of being isolated, lonely, and feeling as if you don’t belong. You root for the main character throughout the book, as he’s a loveable underdog. Included within the book are sketches and drawings, which relate to what one is reading. I feel they work perfectly with the book, adding an interesting visualization to the words. The drawings add to the humor of the book, for example, there are comics making fun of immigration questions, drawings about Dr. Bond’s confusion with American slang words, sketches of Dr. Bond as a literal alien with a big, green head and a lot more.
Dr. Bond is a character anyone would easily root for. Coming to America, he’s practically changing his entire lifestyle. This is something readers can sympathize with. While it’s funny to read about him getting confused while ordering coffee, it really makes you think about how your life would be if you moved to a totally different country. Throughout Dr. Bond’s relationship with Jen, we’re all rooting for him. We can all relate to having a crush on a close friend. Their relationship becomes addicting because you want to know what happens next. You want to know if Dr. Bond tells Jen about his feelings, and you wonder if she feels the same way.
In a world with so much sadness and despair, it’s nice to escape into a cute story for a couple of hours. Manhattan Alien is a great book for anyone who enjoys emotional and heartfelt stories.
