Introduction:
The story is set in pre-independent India spanning over a life time of a character. The story follows Ram, who born in a remote village Unaula and his adventures as he frees himself from the bondage of social prejudices and backwardness of the uneducated society there. He is inspired and supported by his brother Bhagwati right from the beginning.
What I like about the story:
The content of the story is very unique, fresh and something we don’t see in present piles of romance, mythology and crime-thriller novels. The characters are normal, real-life people and events are told in good detail (the war with Japanese, the process of selection, the atmosphere of death). Especially I like the sketched images which frequently try to bring out the scenes going on in the book. It has social messages, about how a little person from some remote village can become big.
Critical Comments:
The narration puts me off, to be honest. It is top to bottom telling in dull way. The story here is huge and if it is written with more patience it could become a 400+ pages epic, whereas solely due to the school text-book style telling, the book is merely 210 pages long. For example, it is not enough if one tells me that Ram is courageous and nervous at the same time. One can show that simply by his actions (like he elopes from his house just before 2 days of his forced-marriage but at the same times, trembles, cries sobs, wanting for water etc. when he is walking away from his home.) Or if one really wants to stick to telling, he should use similes, allegories to evoke cruelty, humor in the tone. For example, let see if the same situation can be written like : Fifty kilos of weight, he felt such pride and determination that he could alone conquer even Achilles if he tried to force him to marry that unknown girl, who definitely was not a decedent of Helen. By the way, when Bhagwati fights against Japanese in army of British, I have expected the mention of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who was using the Japanese force to create the menace British felt.
To be Specific:
Plot:
The plot is has potential, as I have mentioned before. You’d agree with me after completing the journey of the characters in this book.
Dialogue:
It is natural and okay, but the amount of dialogue is very less in this book which is not compensated by good narration.
Characterisation:
It is good but could become livelier with more developed style of presentation. I wanted to feel the same disappointment was Ram was prevented from going to school, I wanted to feel the tension Ram felt when he was leaving his home forever.
Pacing:
Unnecessarily fast which neither creates the thrill it intends to create, nor allows the reader to feel for the characters.
Narrative:
It is mentioned in critical comments section.
Editing:
Not many typographical and grammatical errors. It’s neat.
Resolution:
Satisfying but could have been of more impact.
Overall impression:
A good read for readers searching for something new based on Indian setting which could become a far better piece of novel.
3 out of 5.
Amazon Link.
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