It Doesn't Hurt to be Nice, by Amisha Sethi

Compassion is a virtue that's slowly disappearing from the world, I think, but one that is quite important. Only if you give kindness, will you get it back in return. Perhaps that's the notion that makes the title of this book by Amisha Sethi, "It Doesn't Hurt to be Nice" more appealing. The cover is colorful at best, but doesn't do a lot to make the reader curious.

The book is part fiction - the story of Kiara Seth, and the lessons she learns from her life - and part self-help - for it gives you these lessons to imbue. From the time Kiara is born, to the time she's in college, falls in love, gets married, has kids... and takes a big step in her life. Each chapter focuses on one lesson, and how she came by it. These are quite interesting lessons, but ones that I think, we already know to some extent. What makes it different from other books perhaps is that this story makes it easier to relate to, so we don't stray too far from our lives. It's Kiara's story that keeps the lessons interesting. Another thing I liked were the quotes at the start of the chapters. The illustrations also manage to add a touch of humor in what might tend to be a lesson oriented approach.

Given that it is Kiara's story that keeps it interesting, the lessons that are at the beginning of each chapter don't make as big an impact. They are interesting in the first few chapters, but lose their intensity toward the conclusion. I think the haphazard chronology might be a reason for that. When you see a chapter that has only the lesson, and none of Kiara's story, it shows the hurry, I feel. How the story ends, I feel, doesn't go with what was put across a page ago. It adds to the confusion as well.

The story comes across to the reader well, and the language is not difficult to follow. I cannot say it changed my life, but it has interesting lessons. I'd say it rates somewhere between 3.5 stars and 4 stars, but not quite a 4 star book in my opinion.

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3.5 Stars < Rating < 4 stars

Reviewed by: Vinay Leo R.
Genre: Fiction/Self-Help
Publishers: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Book Source: Publisher

This is not a paid review. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.