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premxs's review
4.0
An unsettling, sparse story that shows how much of a nation's story you can tell through the eyes of a few of its people; the violence that inflicts India's soul, shouted or whispered, and the cracks that this leaves in the souls of some.
The expository middle falters a little in pace and predictability when compared to the cutting beginning and end, but it pays off emotionally. The whole is tightly wound and lands with a sting that will linger for a while to come. Best read in a single sitting, to absorb Tabish Khair's incisive language and messaging.
The expository middle falters a little in pace and predictability when compared to the cutting beginning and end, but it pays off emotionally. The whole is tightly wound and lands with a sting that will linger for a while to come. Best read in a single sitting, to absorb Tabish Khair's incisive language and messaging.
per_fictionist's review
4.0
My Review : Thank you PanMacmillan India for sending a review copy of this wonderful book.
Consisting of just around 100 pages, this book definitely makes you yearn for more of Tabish’s writing.
Set around the 1990-2000’s the book centers around Mr. Mehrotra,a business royale and the mystery and suspense surrounding hia long term aid Ahmed, who is his right hand in business.
The plot is so intriguing till the very end that you will not want to put the book down. The story is exceptionally well developed and the suspense build-up is commendable. The story is quite different from the ones that we come across nowadays.
I was personally very impressed and attracted by the character of Ahmed,which is rather a complicated one according to my perception. I re-read every other major scenes that included him because the character was made to feel so real.
Anil Mehrotra’s character could’ve been better organized with a bit of trivia of his family. I felt that his back story lacked a little and the author could’ve done justice to him,being the protagonist.
The “gazaar ka halwa” scene and the “graveyard” scene will be my most favorite scenes ever written in a book and for these I gave the book and extra star.
Consisting of just around 100 pages, this book definitely makes you yearn for more of Tabish’s writing.
Set around the 1990-2000’s the book centers around Mr. Mehrotra,a business royale and the mystery and suspense surrounding hia long term aid Ahmed, who is his right hand in business.
The plot is so intriguing till the very end that you will not want to put the book down. The story is exceptionally well developed and the suspense build-up is commendable. The story is quite different from the ones that we come across nowadays.
I was personally very impressed and attracted by the character of Ahmed,which is rather a complicated one according to my perception. I re-read every other major scenes that included him because the character was made to feel so real.
Anil Mehrotra’s character could’ve been better organized with a bit of trivia of his family. I felt that his back story lacked a little and the author could’ve done justice to him,being the protagonist.
The “gazaar ka halwa” scene and the “graveyard” scene will be my most favorite scenes ever written in a book and for these I gave the book and extra star.
cheshta's review
4.0
This was my first time reading Tabish Khair's books and I must say that I'm impressed.
I mostly liked the imagery and sense of smell used by him in this novel. The mystery element too was handled wonderfully though at a few places things became quite predictable.
The references to certain true events made this story a bit more interesting and gripping for me.
My reading experience was good as I found funny parts and philosophical parts amusing.
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a light, gripping and quick read.
I mostly liked the imagery and sense of smell used by him in this novel. The mystery element too was handled wonderfully though at a few places things became quite predictable.
The references to certain true events made this story a bit more interesting and gripping for me.
My reading experience was good as I found funny parts and philosophical parts amusing.
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a light, gripping and quick read.
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