IN THE recent novel by Diamond Books 'Siya Seth Decides To Die', the author Sneha Mehta, in her debut work, shares with the readers the story of a 17-year-old school girl Siya who has committed suicide. The reason for her suicide has got nothing to do with her poor academic performance. Siya died of sexually transmitted disease, which she refers to as life. The author Sneha Mehta is a student of 'organizational psychology' and a freelance writer who firmly believes in the discipline of reading.

Siya Seth is a victim of parental incest when she was barely eight years of age. To heal the hurting pimple on her bum the author has given an interesting recount of how her father cures Siya from the pimple by making her lie on the bed and asking her to take off her shorts to what the father refers to as therapy. A therapy that demands you to lie down on the bed without making any noise. A therapy that tells Siya (his daughter) to wear her shorts as soon as someone rings the door bell. Last but not the least Siya should have full trust on her very own Father absence of which the therapy won't work at all is what her Super Dad firmly believed.Another interesting story the author has given detailed account of is when Siya has gone for her school trip to Matheran when Franklyn Sir from her school accompanies the children as the head in charge for the school trip.

Franklyn Sir according to Siya was one of her best teachers and also her role model. But things change when Siya decides not to go for trekking due to severe stomach ache. Like her Father even Franklyn Sir has good remedy to cure Siya from stomach pain. Remedy was simple she was asked to lie down on the grass and was told to play doctor-doctor with just Siya and Franklyn Sir and no one around. Playing doctor-doctor Franklyn Sir was successful in doing the operation on Siya which involved nothing more than his urge to satisfy his sexual desires. The author has shared many such stories in this book that had left Siya totally despondent and dejected. Other stories include her experience of dating a cabin crew hunk or visiting a past life therapist, who claims to heal her soul for Rs 999/- only. Finally, there comes a point of time in her life that Siya was not able to come out of the tunnel of depression and 'Siya Seth Decides To Die' by committing suicide. This book is the story of Siya?s life, her experience and the individuals she met in life.

BOOK REVIEW: Siya Seth Decides To Die

Author: Sneha Mehta

Publisher: Diamond Books

Pages: 255

Price: Rs 100/-

ISBN: 978-81-288-3276-5

Reviewed by Niilesh A Raje