Solicitor Ria Neelamkavil tells Kerry Ann Eustice why she put factual and fictional
accounts of discrimination into an amusing book.
FROM Barista to Solicitor - An Indian Girl's Epic Journey is a book title which implies a grand tale of adventure, in which many lands are crossed and plentiful life lessons are learned.
But, not only should you avoid judging a book by its cover, you shouldn't judge it by a title either.
Something the author Ria Neelamkavil, a solicitor, working for Sidcup's Woolsey Morris & Kennedy, knows only too well.
"I'm a qualified solicitor and yes, the book is about a character like me. It's semi-autobiographical and semi-fictional also," she said, to show how true to life the book is.
From Barista to Solicitor, which started as a short story, was written during Ria's training and grew in ambition and length.
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"It's about the obstacles people from different backgrounds face in becoming lawyers."
The journey the title promises is main character Ayesha's transition from law graduate to employed solicitor.
As an Asian Christian, like Ria, she has to overcome various assumptions and hurdles.
"I think it's something a lot of people will be interested in because it's about the obstacles people from different backgrounds face in becoming lawyers," she said.
"The publishers encouraged me to pursue the idea Ayesha has this really Muslim sounding name but actually is Christian and then explore the stereotypical assumptions people draw."
"Maybe we can get amessage across in a light-hearted way without being too heavy."
In the book, this is represented by people expressing surprise Ayesha drinks alcohol, eats pork and travels abroad alone and worries her name will prevent her securing a job.
Yet it's all blended in with some comic observations about the Apprentice-like nature of business.
"I thought, maybe we can get the message across in a light-hearted way without being too heavy," said Ria.
"Even if people don't mean to, they do draw assumptions. I thought let's put it on paper and give them something to think about."
Ria's book, from Wildy, Simmonds & Hill, is out now. Call 020 7242 5778.
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