- Dhruva Chak
When buying books, I usually stick to my favorite authors, or get titles that I have heard of, or that have been recommended (by family, friends or newspapers). Some time back, in order to have a change of pace, I bought a few unfamiliar titles, by unfamiliar authors, going by the covers. And I realized (yet again!) that back cover descriptions and adulations can be very deceptive.
I have read a lot of fast-paced thrillers, set in the modern, western world, and mysteries (Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes) set in last two centuries. So "Chatterjee Babu", set in the latter half of 20th century India appealed to me with its promise of chartering a nostalgic journey through five historical cities, and catching the last glimpses of the dying Raj (British Rule).
But what I got was one of the most hopeless books I've read, both with regards to the story and the style. The writer has used innumerable similes and unending citations, so that he lost the story altogether, and I lost my patience. It feels that all he is set out to do is to prove is his proficiency in English, and his knowledge of literature. Then there is poetry ... the prose is interspersed with verse, that has rhyme but no reason, and certainly no merit. And then there is moving back and forth in time ... I feel that few authors manage to do that effectively, and Dhruva Chak is definitely not one of them. His book is divided into chapters, alternate chapters take the story forward through the past and the present, with no reason, and no effect. The series of past history ends at a point when Hiren Chatterjee suffers a heartbreak and a total breakdown, though why that makes him so malicious, specially towards the young and enthusiastic British manager, is beyond my comprehension. As is the reason why the young manager choses to use no common sense. And the promised journey through five cities is not worth mention either.
In first three sittings I barely managed to read 30 pages (with small page size, and large font size). Extremely disappointing and eminently unreadable.
I have read a lot of fast-paced thrillers, set in the modern, western world, and mysteries (Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes) set in last two centuries. So "Chatterjee Babu", set in the latter half of 20th century India appealed to me with its promise of chartering a nostalgic journey through five historical cities, and catching the last glimpses of the dying Raj (British Rule).
But what I got was one of the most hopeless books I've read, both with regards to the story and the style. The writer has used innumerable similes and unending citations, so that he lost the story altogether, and I lost my patience. It feels that all he is set out to do is to prove is his proficiency in English, and his knowledge of literature. Then there is poetry ... the prose is interspersed with verse, that has rhyme but no reason, and certainly no merit. And then there is moving back and forth in time ... I feel that few authors manage to do that effectively, and Dhruva Chak is definitely not one of them. His book is divided into chapters, alternate chapters take the story forward through the past and the present, with no reason, and no effect. The series of past history ends at a point when Hiren Chatterjee suffers a heartbreak and a total breakdown, though why that makes him so malicious, specially towards the young and enthusiastic British manager, is beyond my comprehension. As is the reason why the young manager choses to use no common sense. And the promised journey through five cities is not worth mention either.
In first three sittings I barely managed to read 30 pages (with small page size, and large font size). Extremely disappointing and eminently unreadable.
5 comments:
ROFL - What I loved is your expression - *Hopeless* - I can imagine your face..... :)
Its kk....chatterjee Babu might not set the WORLD CHATTERING ...:)
Lady you are brutal !!
Tk care ~
ps -short notice (sorry) we are going to Mukteshwar this weekend ...you and your partner most welcome !!
I dont normally start a book unless someone recommends it to me, so I'm escaped frm all these troubles i guess.
Moving back and forth in time - nothing can beat The God of small things.
I'm almost done with Dan Browns Deception point, next on my list is to complete the half read The Alchemist.
@BTR: Renamed yourself, eh?
Brutal ... ha ha ha ... surely not. Wait for the next one :-)
Sorry, cant take up your offer (once again :-(] but I sure do envy you!
@Maverick: Very wise :-) Though normally I dont either, this time I made an exception, and look what happened!
I havent read Deception Point, but I liked Alchemist, though it has been quite some time since I read it.
That's the difficulty with online access: any and every one can write in anything at all. I'm afraid I would describe this review as not so much brutal as brutish!
I've just now read this book, and checked in to see what others have to say about it. I found only this review.
Yes, I agree this book isn't exactly a masterpiece, not quite Henry James. There are, indeed, gaps aplenty. However, to paint this book in outright black, as this reviewer has done, is surely as malicious as Chatterjee Babu's conduct appeared to Slater, and without the wit and charm.
I'm afraid, lady, you've not quite got the plot. As for the writing, yes I did find it cringe-making in (lots of) places, but there are portions, especially towards the end (e.g., the chapter Slader Investigates) where the author absolutely dazzles. Give credit where it's due!
Although I suppose one can expect little better from a reviewer whose ouvre appears limited to Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle (as she herself admits). Still, why the malice? There is a sea difference between ill-mannered malice and wit, even acerbic wit.
Sorry lady, but please do not misuse the anonymity and easy access of the 'Net to put down effort way beyond your own reach.
Well, Reader, I think it is you who are taking the advantage of anonymity to foist an attack on my views, and indirectly, on me. You very erroneously assume that my repertoire is "limited" to Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle - if you had at all paid attention to what I wrote in this review, and on the blog in general, you could not have arrived at this entirely incorrect conclusion.
I lay no claims to be a seasoned critic. What I've shared is my views, and in a free world, I'm entitled to my opinion. You may call it brutal, but there is no malice. On the other hand, there is a lot of contempt in your response, and one may be inclined to believe that you have interests aligned with the author whose book I failed to appreciate.
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