Is Lucknow Boy worth a pat on the back?:) - Reviewed by Vijay Chopra

Vinod Mehta, one of the most dynamic editors of our time must be delighted to be a  Lucknow Boy.

LUCKNOW BOY, Mehta's book has hogged the limelight for two reasons. First, for its strong brand value --being the autobiography of  the former editor of Debonair and Outlook magazine. Secondly,the memoir is replete with enticing anecdotes. It bares the "dark secrets"of many  Indians like Atal BihariVajpayee, Shobha De, Salman Rushdie, VS Naipaul among others. A lucid and crisp style of writing makes it a fascinating read.  

As the title suggests, Mehta, like most of the SDA fraternity, spent his formative years in the City of Nawabs. The opening chapter dwells on the lazy times spent in Lucknow. There is Ganj, LaMartiniere, Cantonment, Coffee House, Lucknow University and, of course, the dames! Over all, a chapter every Lucknowite can easily relate to, relish and feel nostalgic about.

After completing BA (third division) from LU, Mehta left for England. His eight-year stay in London was uneventful -- he mainly survived running errands. But, in Passage to England,the astute editor makes a candid confession about his personal life. One that evokes emotions as well as appreciation for the writer's 'Sach Ka Saamna' guts.

When a pauper Mehta returned from his UK sojourn in 70s, he willingly accepted to edit the then sinking Debonair. This was the Indian version of Playboy. It did not take Mehta too long to revive the centre-spread magazine. In the subsequent years, he launched and revived many publications including Outlook and Pioneer. The ups and downs of this most successful launch editor are well recorded in his memoir.

There is no dearth of thrilling tales in Lucknow Boy. Mehta brags about his victories and failures. He is at ease while mocking friends, foes and colleagues. I still wonder how he has escaped libels. The memoir has ample potential to invite  them.

Instead of giving a detailed account of the writer' personal life, Lucknow Boy largely remains confined to his professional adventures and misadventures. A reader would have expected more but the book disappoints on this count.    

The title Lucknow Boy, though, has left me dejected. Perhaps, many of you would agree with me. For a Lucknow male, there couldn't be a more apt title for an autobiography!!  Mehta has clean bowled us with a class googly. Will have to scratch my head for a better title if I ever plan to pen down my memoirs.

Hate it or like it, no harm in reading Lucknow Boy. Its a must for anybody who wants to dig into an Editor's head. A must must for any English language journalist.

Vinod Mehta's exciting life as documented in Lucknow Boy also tells us that good journalists must travel, read and watch life. A good college degree may make us an Editor but a subversive editor needs to have a human touch. Read it friends. If not for the writer, then at least  for our city's sake:).

(You can buy the book from Flipkart or Indiaplaza as theyare offering good discounts.)     

Vijay Chopra works with Times Of India. Chopra is an avid reader, an enthusiastic copy editor and an incorrigible optimist. You will find him writing  a lot about People, politics and kebabs in the coming months.