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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
The "Dasna Diaries" was the most interesting part of the book.I wished there was more from the diary of a father who had lost his daughter;It was painful to read the diary entries, the situation the Talwars were in, how they were before & what lead them to such a deplorable condition.
It's still unclear as to how the murder took place & who did it.I hope they find the right culprits soon & have Talwars acquitted if they are innocent.
Overall the book was interesting to read although in the end I found it a drag at some places like reading about judge Shyam Lal & others in the 'Dasna diaries' which must have been solely dedictaed to Rajesh Talwar's diary entries.So I give it a 3-star.
It's still unclear as to how the murder took place & who did it.I hope they find the right culprits soon & have Talwars acquitted if they are innocent.
Overall the book was interesting to read although in the end I found it a drag at some places like reading about judge Shyam Lal & others in the 'Dasna diaries' which must have been solely dedictaed to Rajesh Talwar's diary entries.So I give it a 3-star.
This book could have done with a good edit - I'm not sure who the intended reader was, but for a book in the English language there were several times another language (I think Hindi?) was used in the book and not translated which meant I either broke away from the book to google translate or else just had to bypass entire paragraphs. A short dictionary at the end of the book would be helpful to English speakers not familiar with Hindi to make it more internationally accessible.
The book is described as "a meticulous ... book which reads like a thriller." The author has clearly done their research but the book was often as dull as an academic text book with very little narrative. The book is split into three parts with no further subdivisions; a little more thought on how to make the text digestible would have done justice to the case and the victims, as this seems to be the only book on this subject?
The book is described as "a meticulous ... book which reads like a thriller." The author has clearly done their research but the book was often as dull as an academic text book with very little narrative. The book is split into three parts with no further subdivisions; a little more thought on how to make the text digestible would have done justice to the case and the victims, as this seems to be the only book on this subject?
On the book: Very well researched and documented, Avirook has tried very hard to maintain neutrality in painting out the characters even though there is definitely a bias for the defendants. Very commendable journalistic efforts, and also very well written, which is not always the case with great journalists.
On the story: Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, or so we have heard. This story is testimony to that statement. And sadly, after 7 years, we still don't know the truth of what happened that night in jalvayu Vihar. But, one thing is clear, and has consistently come out across the years. If ever there could be an award for the best botched up case in recent times, the award would hands down go to this case and the people who handled it, right from the UP police to the two CBI teams to the judge who has pronounced judgement to the media who drove him to that judgment. I do find one gap in Avirook's narration - the family claims Aarushi wasn't raped and they did not ask the post mortem doc to hide this fact, the narco analysis on Hemraj's friends reveals she was in fact raped. So, we really can't selectively believe the narco while eliminating this input as fake. Which means the post mortem doc wasn't really lying when he said the family asked him to hide this fact. Avirook has taken the stance that the people of the servant strata wouldn't really distinguish between molestation and full fledged rape. I find it hard to digest that all three of them have defined the act as rape though it may have been a step lower than that. But, that miss, really doesn't mean the parents killed both the victims. And, in a country where we claim "innocent unless proved beyond reasonable doubt" and leave big actors flaunting around in the Porsches they used to kill people on pavements, it is beyond sad that two parents are languishing in jail when nothing really has been proven, no murder weapon recovered. The story shook me out of my middle class trance, that this shit could happen to anyone, if a few (or many) people in power decide to remain incompetent.
On the story: Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, or so we have heard. This story is testimony to that statement. And sadly, after 7 years, we still don't know the truth of what happened that night in jalvayu Vihar. But, one thing is clear, and has consistently come out across the years. If ever there could be an award for the best botched up case in recent times, the award would hands down go to this case and the people who handled it, right from the UP police to the two CBI teams to the judge who has pronounced judgement to the media who drove him to that judgment. I do find one gap in Avirook's narration - the family claims Aarushi wasn't raped and they did not ask the post mortem doc to hide this fact, the narco analysis on Hemraj's friends reveals she was in fact raped. So, we really can't selectively believe the narco while eliminating this input as fake. Which means the post mortem doc wasn't really lying when he said the family asked him to hide this fact. Avirook has taken the stance that the people of the servant strata wouldn't really distinguish between molestation and full fledged rape. I find it hard to digest that all three of them have defined the act as rape though it may have been a step lower than that. But, that miss, really doesn't mean the parents killed both the victims. And, in a country where we claim "innocent unless proved beyond reasonable doubt" and leave big actors flaunting around in the Porsches they used to kill people on pavements, it is beyond sad that two parents are languishing in jail when nothing really has been proven, no murder weapon recovered. The story shook me out of my middle class trance, that this shit could happen to anyone, if a few (or many) people in power decide to remain incompetent.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Well, like many Indians, I was curious about this case which shook the Indian middle class. On the advent of the Talwars being acquitted, I thought why not read this?
This books promises to present both sides of the story in a neutral manner. Unfortunately, the most disappointing fact about this book was that this wasn't the case. Although the book reveals crucial details that were misrepresented by the media, the book tilts heavily to one side, while describing in mind-numbing detail every miniscule point of the case. At one point, it's just like wading through pages and pages of trial details which could be edited for lucidity sake. On the other hand, it reveals the sheer complacency and corruption within our system. Sadly, we're mute spectators in this circus show we call the government. Read this book, but knowing it's a biased one.
I'm not sure we'll ever know what exactly happened in the Arushi murder case. I'm not even sure if it is a waste hoping for justice to prevail. May her soul rest in peace.
This books promises to present both sides of the story in a neutral manner. Unfortunately, the most disappointing fact about this book was that this wasn't the case. Although the book reveals crucial details that were misrepresented by the media, the book tilts heavily to one side, while describing in mind-numbing detail every miniscule point of the case. At one point, it's just like wading through pages and pages of trial details which could be edited for lucidity sake. On the other hand, it reveals the sheer complacency and corruption within our system. Sadly, we're mute spectators in this circus show we call the government. Read this book, but knowing it's a biased one.
I'm not sure we'll ever know what exactly happened in the Arushi murder case. I'm not even sure if it is a waste hoping for justice to prevail. May her soul rest in peace.
I am sickened by this tale. What will happen when skeletons of all cases come tumbling out like this? How many more people will actually be innocent?
The case against Talwars was always fishy and now we know why. Avirook Sen has done a good job with the research, stating facts and interviewing every person possible. He has done an absolute thorough job. Is he is biased? I think not. Where he thinks the Talwars made a mistake or their lawyers did, he mentions that. None of us are biased, why should we expect him to be?
This is a must read book. Don't just read it but also do whatever you can to get this case reopened.
The case against Talwars was always fishy and now we know why. Avirook Sen has done a good job with the research, stating facts and interviewing every person possible. He has done an absolute thorough job. Is he is biased? I think not. Where he thinks the Talwars made a mistake or their lawyers did, he mentions that. None of us are biased, why should we expect him to be?
This is a must read book. Don't just read it but also do whatever you can to get this case reopened.
At one point I had lost faith in Indian authors then I came across this. Engaging and gripping as it is, the novel gives a deeper and unbiased view on the infamous Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case.
This novel is not a regular Whodunit novel. It's more about who has not done it. It depicts the sorry state the CBI and the judiciary is in. A story of fabricated evidences and stories spun around it. The book gives unbiased accounts of everyone involved in the investigation and trial. It also depicts the dismal state of the media and how they can spin stories of their own for TV ratings.
I leave it to you to judge to what extent the facts are right or wrong. However, it is a well written, well structured and well researched book in my opinion
This novel is not a regular Whodunit novel. It's more about who has not done it. It depicts the sorry state the CBI and the judiciary is in. A story of fabricated evidences and stories spun around it. The book gives unbiased accounts of everyone involved in the investigation and trial. It also depicts the dismal state of the media and how they can spin stories of their own for TV ratings.
I leave it to you to judge to what extent the facts are right or wrong. However, it is a well written, well structured and well researched book in my opinion
I had closely followed the Aarushi Talwar murder case and the media frenzy that followed. Despite that, I wasn’t prepared for how hard this book would be for me to read. Not for the writing, but the content. There were parts, especially in the first part, that left me speechless. How could such a thing happen? For the uninitiated, the book is about a double murder that occurred in Noida. A 13-year-old girl, Aarushi Talwar, and Talwars’ domestic help, Hemraj, were found murdered on 16-May 2008. It immediately started occupying all the prime-time news slots debates and discussions. There were all sorts of conspiracy theories floating around, with the parents being the killers. Television news channels were competing for the sleaziest coverage. For those of you who followed the media coverage after actor Sridevi’s death and Sushant Singh Rajput’s more recently, this was a trailer of what was to come in the following years. The author Avirook Sen presents a detailed view of what happened in this book.
The book is divided into three parts – the first one covers the investigation, followed by the trial, and an epilogue of sorts. Three different teams investigated the case, including two CBI teams. There were multiple problems right from the start. The UP police who started the investigation based their investigation right from the start on the assumption that Hemraj, Talwars’ domestic help, murdered Aarushi. The reason being Hemraj, who stayed with the Talwars in their home, was missing. Thus, the whole theory fell apart when Hemraj’s body was discovered the next day from the house’s terrace. Police had failed to secure the crime scene, and all sorts of people from friends, relatives, neighbors, media walked around the house, contaminating the crime scene. Thus, the investigation was doomed right from the start. The case was passed to two CBI teams who couldn’t reach a logical conclusion. But the second team floated outlandish theories of honour killing, wife-swapping, etc., and the court refused to accept the closure report filed. Instead, it converted it to a chargesheet and initiated proceedings against the Talwars for murdering their daughter and domestic help.
The author states that the trial was biased right from the start against the parents. It felt from every angle that it was to frame the parents. Media coverage cherry-picked the juicy bits and put it out in a race for TRP’s. The news channels weren’t just competing against themselves; they were also competing against daily soaps. The book paints a sorry picture of our judicial systems and bureaucracy. The Talwars were well-off and, with the support of family and some friends, could gather resources and money for good legal help. Despite that, they struggled. So, I can’t even imagine what justice would an average Indian get from our courts.
One minor grouse I have regarding the book, as pointed in other reviews, is that it did seem biased towards the Talwars (perhaps there was no other way). There isn’t a good explanation on why the CBI was keen on framing the Talwars. It was not as if they were politically connected or had enemies within the system. So, why were they treated like this remains a gap that isn’t touched upon in this book? Otherwise, the writing keeps you engaged and doesn’t sensationalize one bit on any aspects of the crime.
The book is divided into three parts – the first one covers the investigation, followed by the trial, and an epilogue of sorts. Three different teams investigated the case, including two CBI teams. There were multiple problems right from the start. The UP police who started the investigation based their investigation right from the start on the assumption that Hemraj, Talwars’ domestic help, murdered Aarushi. The reason being Hemraj, who stayed with the Talwars in their home, was missing. Thus, the whole theory fell apart when Hemraj’s body was discovered the next day from the house’s terrace. Police had failed to secure the crime scene, and all sorts of people from friends, relatives, neighbors, media walked around the house, contaminating the crime scene. Thus, the investigation was doomed right from the start. The case was passed to two CBI teams who couldn’t reach a logical conclusion. But the second team floated outlandish theories of honour killing, wife-swapping, etc., and the court refused to accept the closure report filed. Instead, it converted it to a chargesheet and initiated proceedings against the Talwars for murdering their daughter and domestic help.
The author states that the trial was biased right from the start against the parents. It felt from every angle that it was to frame the parents. Media coverage cherry-picked the juicy bits and put it out in a race for TRP’s. The news channels weren’t just competing against themselves; they were also competing against daily soaps. The book paints a sorry picture of our judicial systems and bureaucracy. The Talwars were well-off and, with the support of family and some friends, could gather resources and money for good legal help. Despite that, they struggled. So, I can’t even imagine what justice would an average Indian get from our courts.
One minor grouse I have regarding the book, as pointed in other reviews, is that it did seem biased towards the Talwars (perhaps there was no other way). There isn’t a good explanation on why the CBI was keen on framing the Talwars. It was not as if they were politically connected or had enemies within the system. So, why were they treated like this remains a gap that isn’t touched upon in this book? Otherwise, the writing keeps you engaged and doesn’t sensationalize one bit on any aspects of the crime.
*Indian Mentality*
"Why did you do the wrong thing?"
"I was forced into it."
"All of you?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you correct that now?"
"Sir, ithar aisa hi chalta hai sab."
Sure, Avirook gets rather too journalistic sometimes - and the book doesn't exactly have the greatest writing - more of a thesis than a novel - but it does bring to light many facts that were overlooked by the media, various discrepancies covered up by the CBI and the depths of degeneracy of the legal system in India.
I think what really got to me about this case would be the fact that Aarushi was precisely as old as I was when she was murdered. Shakes your bones - something like this.
Moral of the story: Justice can't win if the govt investigating bodies are on the opposite side.
I guess amidst all the damage done - we've forgotten the original victims of the case - Aarushi and Hemraj.
"Why did you do the wrong thing?"
"I was forced into it."
"All of you?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you correct that now?"
"Sir, ithar aisa hi chalta hai sab."
Sure, Avirook gets rather too journalistic sometimes - and the book doesn't exactly have the greatest writing - more of a thesis than a novel - but it does bring to light many facts that were overlooked by the media, various discrepancies covered up by the CBI and the depths of degeneracy of the legal system in India.
I think what really got to me about this case would be the fact that Aarushi was precisely as old as I was when she was murdered. Shakes your bones - something like this.
Moral of the story: Justice can't win if the govt investigating bodies are on the opposite side.
I guess amidst all the damage done - we've forgotten the original victims of the case - Aarushi and Hemraj.