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Emily Winfield Martin: IMG Kids' Q&A: Emily Winfield Martin

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How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life: A Novel

by Kaavya Viswanathan

How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life: A Novel Cover

ISBN13: 9780316059886
ISBN10: 0316059889
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Opal Mehta is a young woman with a laser focus: getting into Harvard. Since her birth, Amal and Meena Mehta have raised their only daughter with Harvard emblazoned on her pajamas, her walls, and her brain. Everything she does is meant to add up to only one thing: the perfect Harvard application. There have been flowcharts, diagrams, and endless checklists. At seventeen, Opal is valedictorian, president of three honor societies, and founder of the Science Bowl team. She even took welding classes to appear well-rounded. With SAT and AP scores to die for, getting in looks like a sure thing.

Then, at her interview with Harvard's Dean of Admissions, he sets aside her résumé and asks her the single question she never prepped for:

"What do you like to do for fun?"

For once, Opal is at a loss. The interview screeches to a nightmarish halt. The Dean says she still has a chance — but only if she can show that she is more than just another 4.0 GPA.

And so the Mehtas turn their ingenuity and determination to a whole new plan: getting Opal a life. Dating, partying, and popularity are the new subjects of late-night cramming, and Opal's study guides are now MTV and the WB, Vogue and InStyle. The girl who wore high-water cords and hung out with her cat for fun is now rocking Manolos, cutting class to shop with the Queen Bees, and winning the attention of her longtime lust object.

When Opal finally faces the Dean again — this time in a Diane von Furstenberg blouse and Theory pants — she is more confused than ever. Does lip gloss actually matter? Does life have to have a crimson theme? What — and who — does she really love?

For anyone who's ever sweated a crisis, How Opal Mehta Got Wild, Got Kissed, and Got a Life is a hilarious and painfully real novel about family, love, and daring to push your life to the limit.

Review:

"It's Legally Blond in reverse — a super-serious straight-A student turns popular girl to get into Harvard — courtesy of real-life Harvard sophomore Viswanathan, making her much-touted debut. At her Harvard early admissions interview, Opal Mehta, an NRI (or 'Non-Resident Indian') from suburban Woodcliff, N.J., is told that Harvard is looking for 'young people who want to live and experience life.' Opal, in turn, tells her extremely involved, hilariously drawn parents Amal and Meena, who come up with a plan complete with acronym: HOWGAL — How Opal Will Get a Life. It includes getting a Frederic Fekkai haircut, amassing a designer wardrobe and cracking the Haute Bitchez clique — with the complete O.C. on DVD as prep. While Opal's first steps falter, she is soon trading clothes and lip gloss with the trendy elite. But disaster follows success: not only does Opal end up kissing Sean, the object of another of the Haute Bitchez' affections, but her Treo falls into the wrong hands, la Harriet the Spy. It's all very chick lit — girl gets problem, gets Prada, gets over it — but it's a lot of fun, and Viswanathan's eye-rolling intelligence shines through on every page. (Apr.) " Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Viswanathan's writing shows promise, and some of the satirical moments with Opal's parents are priceless. But the plot is far-fetched, predictable and often seems plucked from a teen movie." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"[A] hysterically funny train wreck of a story....I'll bet you a copy of Laguna Beach: The Complete First Season and a gold lamé Miu Miu bag that you won't read a sweeter, funnier, more charming book this year." USA Today

Review:

"While some of Viswanathan's prose is unimaginative...the book's fresh and witty premise rescues it from getting mired in typical nerd-to-cool-girl cliches....[A] strong start on what promises to be a long and brilliant career." Chicago Sun-Times

Review:

"Young adults, indeed all readers, deserve better. The novel's manufactured quality is disturbing; its total lack of individuality, of any genuine emotion, thought or reflection is discouraging..." Los Angeles Times

Synopsis:

In this outrageously funny debut novel, an overachieving teenage girl discovers that, in order to get into the college of her dreams, she needs to have more fun. A movie is currently in development with Dreamworks.

Synopsis:

A lively and irresistible first novel about an overachieving teenage girl who discovers that, in order to get into the college of her dreams, she needs to have more fun.
Since Opal's birth, the Mehtas have raised their only daughter with one goal in mind: to get into Harvard. They even concocted a rigorous game plan they called HOWGIH--How Opal Will Get Into Harvard. There were flowcharts, diagrams, and endless lists to track her progress. At 16, Opal is her high school's valedictorian, president of three honor societies, and first chair in the regional orchestra. She even took welding classes to appear well-rounded. Her admission to Harvard looks like a sure thing.
But at Opal's interview with Harvard's Dean of Admissions, he sets aside her impressive resume and asks the one question she never saw coming: What do you like to do for fun? Opal flubs the interview, but the Dean offers her another chance--if she can show that she is more than her GPA. Opal and her parents respond to this setback with the same rigor, calculation, and focus they applied to creating the perfect academic resume, and design a whole new plan: HOWGAL--How Opal Will Get A Life.
The Mehtas excel at anything they set their mind to, and Opal's calculated rise on her high school's social ladder--full of pop-culture cramfests, fashion makeovers, and a semester of nonstop partying--leaves Opal impossibly popularÖand very confused. For the first time in her life, Opal finds herself asking two fundamental questions, "Who am I, and what do I love to do?"
In this brilliant and outrageously funny debut novel, Opal's journey is a delight from the first page to the last.
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About the Author

Kaavya Viswanathan entered her sophomore year at Harvard University in September. Born in India, Kaavya grew up in the United States. She lives with her parents in New Jersey.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
sweetin66, September 24, 2006 (view all comments by sweetin66)
maybe it sounded pretentious to others,but to Indian readers this story really sounds plausible.Really.I loved this story becos of its Indian lilt with the satirical comments really funny.A young and refreshing read and know wat,being in India,it made me think a lot(the way u have to do what your heart likes and not what your parents think is best for you.)A world of Imagination for indian readers.
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beckster1990, May 13, 2006 (view all comments by beckster1990)
This less-than-mediocre book is, quite honestly, a waste of time. the only reason i bought this book was because of all the publicity. if it wasnt for that and the fact that i hate leaving books unfinished, i probably would have stopped reading after the first three pages. i realize that she was only seventeen when she wrote this book. Please. Im fifteen but i can definately write better. This book- the language and humour- could have easily been written by any random teen.
oh, and plagiarism?
definately.
-Rebecca
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nagendra_bhargava, May 4, 2006 (view all comments by nagendra_bhargava)
Nice plot, I wanted to read the book. Since the media broke the story last week, i was shocked to learn that how come intelligent students like kaavya could copy and put her entire career at a stake.
I would blame her and her family for brining such a bad name and reputation for other young writers. Atleast I dont want to encourage kaavya by buying this book.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780316059886
Subtitle:
A Novel
Publisher:
Time Warner
Author:
Viswanathan, Kaavya
Subject:
General
Subject:
Young women
Subject:
Life change events
Copyright:
2006
Publication Date:
April 4, 2006
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
314
Dimensions:
8.28x5.90x1.14 in. .94 lbs.
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How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life: A Novel
0 stars - 0 reviews
$ In Stock
Product details 314 pages Little Brown and Company - English 9780316059886 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "It's Legally Blond in reverse — a super-serious straight-A student turns popular girl to get into Harvard — courtesy of real-life Harvard sophomore Viswanathan, making her much-touted debut. At her Harvard early admissions interview, Opal Mehta, an NRI (or 'Non-Resident Indian') from suburban Woodcliff, N.J., is told that Harvard is looking for 'young people who want to live and experience life.' Opal, in turn, tells her extremely involved, hilariously drawn parents Amal and Meena, who come up with a plan complete with acronym: HOWGAL — How Opal Will Get a Life. It includes getting a Frederic Fekkai haircut, amassing a designer wardrobe and cracking the Haute Bitchez clique — with the complete O.C. on DVD as prep. While Opal's first steps falter, she is soon trading clothes and lip gloss with the trendy elite. But disaster follows success: not only does Opal end up kissing Sean, the object of another of the Haute Bitchez' affections, but her Treo falls into the wrong hands, la Harriet the Spy. It's all very chick lit — girl gets problem, gets Prada, gets over it — but it's a lot of fun, and Viswanathan's eye-rolling intelligence shines through on every page. (Apr.) " Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "Viswanathan's writing shows promise, and some of the satirical moments with Opal's parents are priceless. But the plot is far-fetched, predictable and often seems plucked from a teen movie."
"Review" by , "[A] hysterically funny train wreck of a story....I'll bet you a copy of Laguna Beach: The Complete First Season and a gold lamé Miu Miu bag that you won't read a sweeter, funnier, more charming book this year."
"Review" by , "While some of Viswanathan's prose is unimaginative...the book's fresh and witty premise rescues it from getting mired in typical nerd-to-cool-girl cliches....[A] strong start on what promises to be a long and brilliant career."
"Review" by , "Young adults, indeed all readers, deserve better. The novel's manufactured quality is disturbing; its total lack of individuality, of any genuine emotion, thought or reflection is discouraging..."
"Synopsis" by , In this outrageously funny debut novel, an overachieving teenage girl discovers that, in order to get into the college of her dreams, she needs to have more fun. A movie is currently in development with Dreamworks.
"Synopsis" by , A lively and irresistible first novel about an overachieving teenage girl who discovers that, in order to get into the college of her dreams, she needs to have more fun.
Since Opal's birth, the Mehtas have raised their only daughter with one goal in mind: to get into Harvard. They even concocted a rigorous game plan they called HOWGIH--How Opal Will Get Into Harvard. There were flowcharts, diagrams, and endless lists to track her progress. At 16, Opal is her high school's valedictorian, president of three honor societies, and first chair in the regional orchestra. She even took welding classes to appear well-rounded. Her admission to Harvard looks like a sure thing.
But at Opal's interview with Harvard's Dean of Admissions, he sets aside her impressive resume and asks the one question she never saw coming: What do you like to do for fun? Opal flubs the interview, but the Dean offers her another chance--if she can show that she is more than her GPA. Opal and her parents respond to this setback with the same rigor, calculation, and focus they applied to creating the perfect academic resume, and design a whole new plan: HOWGAL--How Opal Will Get A Life.
The Mehtas excel at anything they set their mind to, and Opal's calculated rise on her high school's social ladder--full of pop-culture cramfests, fashion makeovers, and a semester of nonstop partying--leaves Opal impossibly popularÖand very confused. For the first time in her life, Opal finds herself asking two fundamental questions, "Who am I, and what do I love to do?"
In this brilliant and outrageously funny debut novel, Opal's journey is a delight from the first page to the last.
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