A friend sent over a first look at Gifted by Nikita Lalwani, the upmarket Opal Mehta which made the Booker longlist:

You know, it wasn’t bad. Predictable and occasionally very well-written. Not quite Kaavya since it’s exactly opposite as a story idea, but with similar endings, I think Kaavya has to get a life to get into her chosen uni; Rumika has to give up her life to get in, but yes, ultimately, she gets a life. Also set much earlier so the feel is different. Very easy read. Finished it in about a day and a half.

Nikita Lalwani is best friends with Stephen Merchant of The Office fame. I don’t think they’re friends for any shared sense of humour.

The author’s next book shares its title with a M. Night flick:

Nikita Lalwani was born in Rajasthan, India, and raised in Cardiff, Wales. Gifted is her first novel. Her next novel, The Village, will be published in 2009. She lives in London. [Link]

Previously: Three desis on Booker longlist