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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
The mystery and the magic baby elephant are pretty silly, but the detail about life in contemporary Mumbai is fascinating and well worth the price of admission.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Actually - 3.5/5
After a hazy start this books promises and delivers terrific reading experience until preclimax. I think the major problem with Indian thriller novels is that, they will have a wonderful and intriguing premise but the final twist/revelation will be quite routine, this book to suffers with the same problem. The proceedings especially the one which involves baby elephant were fresh and interesting, the investigation process even though not quite fresh, they are engaging. The writer wrote characters in an interesting way, but he didn't explored baby elephant character in an effective manner. Another problem with this novel is that it treats mumbai City as one the characters (upto some extent it was good but sometimes it went overboard and sabotaged the reading experience) sometimes it felt like I'm reading a tourist guide instead of a novel, apart from that it's a good experience. But on a bright side, after a long time I have read an Indian English novel which has professional writing (language wise). On a final note this novel has a unique sensibility but that feeling was kind of spoiled by a regular climax.
After a hazy start this books promises and delivers terrific reading experience until preclimax. I think the major problem with Indian thriller novels is that, they will have a wonderful and intriguing premise but the final twist/revelation will be quite routine, this book to suffers with the same problem. The proceedings especially the one which involves baby elephant were fresh and interesting, the investigation process even though not quite fresh, they are engaging. The writer wrote characters in an interesting way, but he didn't explored baby elephant character in an effective manner. Another problem with this novel is that it treats mumbai City as one the characters (upto some extent it was good but sometimes it went overboard and sabotaged the reading experience) sometimes it felt like I'm reading a tourist guide instead of a novel, apart from that it's a good experience. But on a bright side, after a long time I have read an Indian English novel which has professional writing (language wise). On a final note this novel has a unique sensibility but that feeling was kind of spoiled by a regular climax.
The story begins with Inspector Ashwin Chopra retiring the police force and settling in the life of a regular retired civilian. After eating, living and breathing for his career for such a long time, the transition is difficult for him. However, with the help of his wife, he tries to settle in when he is left in charge of an elephant who has bequeathed is to him. On the other hand, there’s a case of a boy who had drowned and yet no one seems to be taking any action for it. As a result, the retired life of ex-Inspector Chopra is no longer so quiet as he takes on to investigate the case himself, all the while trying to ‘manage’ his elephant.
You have to admit that getting an elephant of all the things in the world, seemed a bit odd and made me curious about the book at the same time. The character of Ashwin Chopra is quite likeable and I did like his open view of the world that is so sanguine. His wife does have her moments in the book too. And the elephant… What does he add to the book you ask? Well you have to read to find out. Let’s just say, it’s an addition that I enjoyed completely. The characters are all well etched up and they feel complete on their own. The plot however was quite simple and easy to see through. Also, there some typical Bollywood cliché moments in the book that made me shake my head while reading. The climax was so much like a movie where the villain just doesn’t know when to shut up and inadvertently confesses all the gory details of his crimes. It was bit too dramatic and disappointing.
So while this book was not the BIG entrance to the literary world that one wishes to make, the book still is actually quite nice at the end of the day. As a reader, I have become attached to Baby Ganesh and Ashwin Chopra and I can see all the possibilities that lay ahead of them. I will be sure to pick up the next instalment to see this relationship develop.
You have to admit that getting an elephant of all the things in the world, seemed a bit odd and made me curious about the book at the same time. The character of Ashwin Chopra is quite likeable and I did like his open view of the world that is so sanguine. His wife does have her moments in the book too. And the elephant… What does he add to the book you ask? Well you have to read to find out. Let’s just say, it’s an addition that I enjoyed completely. The characters are all well etched up and they feel complete on their own. The plot however was quite simple and easy to see through. Also, there some typical Bollywood cliché moments in the book that made me shake my head while reading. The climax was so much like a movie where the villain just doesn’t know when to shut up and inadvertently confesses all the gory details of his crimes. It was bit too dramatic and disappointing.
So while this book was not the BIG entrance to the literary world that one wishes to make, the book still is actually quite nice at the end of the day. As a reader, I have become attached to Baby Ganesh and Ashwin Chopra and I can see all the possibilities that lay ahead of them. I will be sure to pick up the next instalment to see this relationship develop.
This was a fun mystery (basically a cozy, in my opinion) with a bit of international flair. I thought Inspector Chopra was a great character, as were his wife, former colleagues, neighbors, and recently acquired baby elephant, Ganesh. Really, I found the mystery of secondary importance in my mind, being more interested in how Chopra coped with retirement, family drama, a changing Mumbai, and caring for a despondent elephant calf. I would recommend this book and will definitely keep and eye out for Chopra and Ganesh's further adventures!
The fine print: received ARC from NetGalley.
The fine print: received ARC from NetGalley.
This was a very fun read! The dark parts of the mystery were punctuated by light humor and colorful descriptions. I have been very much into very dark and humorless books recently, and this has been very refreshing! I absolutely recommend this short read for anyone looking for a heart-warming mystery.