The premise of an unambitious (ridden with procrastination and self-doubt) and lazy protagonist whose aim is to become a writer, and what happens to him when life happens to him, is too good to be passed on without reading.
I was not disappointed. A well written book where the story flows smoothly (although it might disappoint a lot of people who want twists after every two pages, or those who crave for suspense that builds to explode in the last twenty pages) giving insights on the protagonist's life - his inability to do anything conventional, his delusions and failures; the Parsi community and its intricacies; life in Bombay and, a tiny peek into the murky world of the slums in Bombay.
The thing with the book is that it doesn't really go too deep into anything broader - for example, the slums and the life around it, the people inhabiting them, they are all just a brush stroke, so it felt a bit facile. The aim probably was to use them to push the story further. May be it is a good thing. I am not sure though. Some of the really small sub-plots ran dry without an apparent end (the server/cleaner boy Shiva in Kanara hotel). Which again is quite subtly done, but nevertheless, it is left hanging.
What it does well is to delve into the mind of Jingo, his feelings, his ideas of happiness, love and society. One can relate to many of the emotions that he goes through and there lies the success of the book.
Overall a good book. The story runs well, most of the characters are fleshed out clearly and the language does not falter. I always enjoy a good Indian English writing because there is so much that we can relate to, not just the characters.
I was not disappointed. A well written book where the story flows smoothly (although it might disappoint a lot of people who want twists after every two pages, or those who crave for suspense that builds to explode in the last twenty pages) giving insights on the protagonist's life - his inability to do anything conventional, his delusions and failures; the Parsi community and its intricacies; life in Bombay and, a tiny peek into the murky world of the slums in Bombay.
The thing with the book is that it doesn't really go too deep into anything broader - for example, the slums and the life around it, the people inhabiting them, they are all just a brush stroke, so it felt a bit facile. The aim probably was to use them to push the story further. May be it is a good thing. I am not sure though. Some of the really small sub-plots ran dry without an apparent end (the server/cleaner boy Shiva in Kanara hotel). Which again is quite subtly done, but nevertheless, it is left hanging.
What it does well is to delve into the mind of Jingo, his feelings, his ideas of happiness, love and society. One can relate to many of the emotions that he goes through and there lies the success of the book.
Overall a good book. The story runs well, most of the characters are fleshed out clearly and the language does not falter. I always enjoy a good Indian English writing because there is so much that we can relate to, not just the characters.
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