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A review by jaya
Leila by Prayaag Akbar
5.0
I got a copy of the book after watching the Netflix show, so I was obviously looking for similarities and differences between the two, and the impact those had on me as a viewer/reader. My review will focus on the same.
I think that the book did a really good job telling a very difficult story. The book is narrated from Shalini's POV, which makes her character and her inner resolve clearer to me. Her steely determination really shines through, and her journey to her daughter is fascinating. Another thing that the book does beautifully is the narration of the gradual decline of the society into the dystopia that exists in the present day. Details about Shalini's childhood add a depth to the story that I found lacking in the show.
Prayaag Akbar's dystopia is real and scary, but the show manages to paint a more vivid picture of it. The pollution, degradation and depravation have a lesser impact on me in the novel. Maybe it's because Shalini barely notices and narrates her hardships. So list she is in her drugged search for Leila.
Over all, the book is a real page-turner, even if you've seen the show. The story-telling style is very engrossing, and the dystopia real and familiar.
I think that the book did a really good job telling a very difficult story. The book is narrated from Shalini's POV, which makes her character and her inner resolve clearer to me. Her steely determination really shines through, and her journey to her daughter is fascinating. Another thing that the book does beautifully is the narration of the gradual decline of the society into the dystopia that exists in the present day. Details about Shalini's childhood add a depth to the story that I found lacking in the show.
Prayaag Akbar's dystopia is real and scary, but the show manages to paint a more vivid picture of it. The pollution, degradation and depravation have a lesser impact on me in the novel. Maybe it's because Shalini barely notices and narrates her hardships. So list she is in her drugged search for Leila.
Over all, the book is a real page-turner, even if you've seen the show. The story-telling style is very engrossing, and the dystopia real and familiar.