A Refreshingly Promising Debut

Book Review: 
Visions of a Summer Past

Author: Avishek Gupta

Rating: 4.5/5

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/359WoRM





When I picked up Avishek Gupta’s debut novel ‘Visions of a Summer Past’, I was intrigued by the title of the book. Half way down this absorbing novel, I had no doubt that Gupta had chosen a befitting title. It is not easy to write a non-linear story with long time leaps, to periodically switch between the past and the present, and to keep the reader engrossed all along the journey. However, full marks to the author for beautifully portraying glimpses of pre-independent India as well as 21^st century United States with equal élan. 

The fabulous mix of fact and fantasy add an old-world charm to this novel. This is a unique story of magic realism and I don’t want to divulge details, lest you lose the charm. But hat’s off to the author for skilfully switching between timelines like a pro. His attention to detail while elucidating the life in Dhaka is brilliant. Each time the backdrop changes, the author meticulously recreates the setting and the transition appears seamless to the reader. 

A fresh plot, neatly drafted characters, and a story that wraps mystical elements intelligently make this an engaging read. You cannot read this book in a hurry. You need to take time to understand and empathise with Prafulla, Asmani, Rohit, and Celeste as they experience a series of life-changing events. The sea of emotions that each character feels is portrayed subtly. 

The author’s writing style is poetic and graceful. Understanding the mindset of characters who lived in the 1940s and then interpreting the circumstances in a way that the reader can relate to them is no mean feat! But the author achieves that effortlessly with his vivid imagination and thorough research. Portraying so many different emotions across multiple time leaps through so many characters is incredible. 

Though the book does well in its 200 pages, I wish it was a bit longer. I would definitely like to read a sequel to this book. 

To sum up, ‘Visions of a Summer Past’ is a heartening tale of love, spiritual bonding, and deep faith. I would recommend this book to all bibliophiles.

 

A Dangerously Enthralling Read

Book Review: The Sinners

Author: Sourabh Mukherjee

Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors

Rating: 5/5

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/37hXxb6

With his new, action-packed crime thriller ‘The Sinners’, author Sourabh Mukherjee hits the bullseye once again. As the title suggests, this riveting murder mystery is all about temptations, scandals, aspirations, rivalries, mind games, lust, and sins galore. 

Set in Mumbai, this is a dark and dangerous tale revolving around the murder of Vikram Oberoi, a middle-aged, charming playboy who heads an IT firm. In an appalling turn of events, the rich and popular Vikram gets trapped in an embarrassing scandal that threatens to destroy his reputation and render him bankrupt. The story opens with Vikram’s death and in the subsequent chapters, the reader learns about his secret liaisons, lustful adventures, and affairs on the fly. The narrative is extremely interesting and I cannot reveal more because this is a whodunit.

Being a master storyteller, the author effortlessly builds a brilliant plot and firms it up with an intriguing mix of twists and high-voltage drama. The intricate complexities of the corporate world and the unspoken rivalries that sometimes have the power to make or mar careers are perfectly portrayed through the key characters and the situations they deal with. 

The author’s writing style is simple and lucid. The chapters are short and will keep you hooked till you reach the end. The characters - Vikram, Aarti, Sonal, Ashwin, and others seem real, well-rounded, and grey. The writing is visual and I hope the author writes a screenplay of this novel.

What I missed in this book was the detailed investigation which had been the highlight of Mukherjee’s earlier novels. So, even though this is a fabulous book, Mukherjee’s debut novel ‘In the Shadows of Death’ remains my favourite by the author. 

To sum up, ‘The Sinners’ is a fast-paced, unputdownable thriller to curl up with on a lazy, wintry evening. Highly recommended.

A fascinating love story with a tinge of mystery

Book Review: Safe Haven

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Rating: 5/5

I recently completed reading Safe Haven. Just like all books written by Nicholas Sparks, this one too enchants the reader with its simplicity and emphasis on our purpose in life.

If Notebook redefined passion and friendship and A Walk to Remember strengthened your belief in true love, Safe Haven will show you how despite innumerable obstacles, divine intervention helps unite lovers. 

Katie is the unassuming beautiful protagonist who leaves the city where she has lived all her life, in search of peace. To add a new dimension to her life and ward off her abusive past, Katie comes to a faraway city and takes up a humble job to distract herself and keep the cash flowing. 

Having given up on happiness and love, Katie doesn’t talk much to anyone. However, she is quite amused to have a female neighbour who is inquisitive about all the happenings in her life.

Soon, Katie finds love in Alex, a widower. Their fairy-tale romance is interrupted when Katie’s abusive ex-husband reaches the new city, looking for her. What follows is a heart-warming story of love, betrayal, and hope - with several goosebumps’ moments.  

Love as a topic for a novel has been tossed over and been used by almost every second author who ventured into fiction writing. Whether it is mystery, comedy, humour, or something else, the stories usually have hues of love embedded in them. So, why is it that some love stories touch your heart and others don't? May be because of the way the author’s style captivates your mind or the characterization. I have often seen it is the simplicity and honesty with which a character is depicted that makes a story memorable. 

Probably that is the reason Sparks’ Safe Haven strikes a chord. We spend a lot of time on social networking sites these days and often meet ‘the special one’ meant for us online. However, at the risk of sounding ancient, I must admit that I still believe that a face-to-face interaction and ‘hand-written’ communication is way more romantic than any virtual interaction can ever be.  

Safe Haven is not a sloppy, mushy love story. It talks about the value of life, the price we pay for being emotional, and establishes the fact that Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Full of interesting plot twists and surprises, this book is a page-turner. Highly recommended.