Many parts of this book reminded me of what my own childhood was like; yearning to be with the "In" crowd, getting into constant trouble with my family, having a field day making fun of my neighbors. I also like how Meena seems to blossom from a being hostile, confused girl to being a confident young lady, considering that she is only nine. Maybe this is a result of all the zany activities Meena goes through in the book.

Though the novel is called 'Anita and Me', it really seemed more about the relationship between Meena and her immigrant family and friends. The book really gives an insight into a family that has to deal with culture clashes and strident racism on a regular basis.

I also like the colorful characters who live in this English hamlet. From Anita to Auntie Shaila, they make the book as a whole look complete with their eccentricities and good old English/Indian humor! A must read for those who want to get into a mature and fascinating book about a 'different' type of childhood.

'Anita and Me' is a nostalgic revisit to the childhood. The book manages to hold despite the thin plot. However, very minute details of the settings turns the book into slow and dull reading at times. The meaning of little events of childhood told through a child's mind make this book a pleasure to read. Also the book accomplishes to portray the struggle of a child growing up in two different cultural settings - at home in indian culture, and outside home in British culture.

I came across this book by accident while I was visiting England. It is a great story. As a young 30 something myself, who grew up as an "ethnic minority" in a small community in rural upstate New York, I was amazed at the similarities in experiences that faced English Meena and the American me. I really applaud the way this book was written. Instead of making the reader feel sorry for Meena, we laugh with her, and share in her natural exuberance of life. The book also follows Meena's loss of innocence from childhood through adolescence; a loss that is unfortunately part of growing up. I felt that this book crossed cultural boundaries and would appeal to many people. I really liked the book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished reading it. A "must read" book.

Meera Syal's book "Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee" captures the life of three childhood friends who are Indian living in Britain - each with different trajectories in her adult life. It is well written and easy to read. The female characters come alive on the pages through dialogue, descriptions, and their environment. However, the male characters are typically backdrops - little understood, difficult to empathize with. I loved reading it and finished it in one setting.

Ms. Meera Syal is one of those authors who keeps you interested without snoozing once!!! She is also a comedienne and takes part in a radio show called "Goodness Gracious Me." I am not sure if this show is still on the air...but I listened to a few tapes and it is genuinely hilarious!!

This book journeys into the lives of three friends and their relationships with men. It introduces(unlike other similar books)sexuality, infidelity, inter-racial relationships, and other important issues that need to be addressed this day in age! The stories are set in Britain, so it is a great viewpoint on how Indians live there and what they deal with on a day to day basis.
This book also explores the close-knit relationships of all the characters who are bound together by their friendship/trust at first, but then things start to fall apart as infidelity comes into play... a must read book for anyone yearning to dig deep inside the intricate facades of the Indian Culture!! =)

A fantastic book that focuses on the experiences and issues that asian women in Britain face today. The three women are starkly different characters which Syal develops wonderfully through the story. I read this book feeling that she had dipped into my own life story for ideas (e.g. plastic wrapped furniture, clapped out ford cortina with 3 families on the back seat, sexual freedom at college). Her use of punjabi/hindi throughout the text is entertaining although non-native speakers may not fully appreciate the subtle comedy associated with these additions. The men in the book are a little flat, and I found the white male partner slightly cliched (they're not always interested in tantric indian ...!). But in summary, a simply marvellous book that comes alive because of Syals colorful literary skills.