Just Kidding... YOURS, DESTINY by Anirban Das (Book Review-3.5*/5)!!!

           I always love those books that I complete in one-sitting without getting more than 50% bored. :-) And it's amazing when I read such books by bunking college. I have just completed a 190-pages book named "Just Kidding... YOURS, DESTINY". It's published by Notion Press which is doing quite well and remarkable these days. The kind of books that its publishing these days catches my eye often. I loved the cover page. It has the same essence as that of Anything for you ma'am by Tushar Raheja. The bluish effect and the protagonist running away from his boss is a nice take. Book is written by a debutante writer- Anirban Das, who I think have written very well in his first attempt itself. A perfect book for taking with you while you are journeying somewhere. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:-

Anirban Das is making his book debut with Just Kidding Yours, Destiny. The implied essence of the story is about making choices, their consequences and the role of destiny. The plot is a simple story, revolving around the complicated life of Kunal Roy. Ambitious Kunal is living the great Indian dream, having purchased a house in Mumbai, driving an expensive car and striving to earn pots of money. Having slogged for donkeys years in the same company, Kunal believes that he is a star employee in his company. He is determined to reach the top with a simple mantra - hard work and dedication. Kunal's seemingly planned life and ambitions turn awry with the sudden acquisition of his company and an abrasive new boss who puts Kunal to the sword. Kunal's life is further turned upside down with the entry of a company rookie, Shristi, compelling him to change his world view and his life's priorities. Is Shristi for real or is she an illusion? And who is the real Kunal? Undergoing upheavals in both professional and personal life, Kunal looks to jettison his ambitions by embarking on a journey of self discovery in an attempt to regain his lost identity and a semblance of control. This book aspires to strike a chord with the readers, engage and entertain them. It has been written from the heart, in a manner, which is characteristic of the authors writing style. The story has been set in a typical Indian urban backdrop but the emotions enunciated, would transcend country barriers.

     

      Anirban Das has a wonderful easy-going way of writing and telling a story to his audience that the readers get attached to his book until they do not complete it in one go. I ended up reading this book in just 4 hours. Not because it's just of 190 pages but because I was so interested in his writing style that I wanted to experience it without interruption and distraction. Not even a single word in the book for which you'll run for dictionary and still a story fully explained is what I loved the author's debut work for. There are some occasions when his book reaches on its high but there are few pages where the story starts going in a direction where there's no laughter, no emotions and no story at all. This is something I didn't appreciate. He should have re-edited his book by eliminating those boring parts and adding up another interesting sequence as there are many in his book.

           I loved the first chapter of the book itself which is a Prologue-kind-of-thing. I liked the Flashback of protagonist's meet with first girl for his marriage. It is entertaining but ends up being a great story in itself. That's something which I liked the most in the book. Then his second story where he gets married and how it ends bitterly is also narrated very well in the book. I also loved the fact how author has described Mumbai, Panvel and Karjat specifically and truthfully without over-exaggerating or faking any details. Very rare is the case these days when an author struggles to keep the book as accurate as Wikipedia. :-) Also, I liked the second half of Kunal and Shrishti's tale when they got really closer. Towards anti-climax, when the protagonist and his college friend plays prank on his office's seniors, I find it quite amusing and funny. In the end, some twists and tales were good.

           Coming to the drawbacks:- As I have already said, some parts does not match to other wonderful bits of the book hence you find quite highs and lows in the story. I didn't enjoy a bit of the long narration of the Flashback to college days as there was nothing interesting about the whole Goa thing. I didn't enjoy the extra detailing of some Hindi words and trying-hard-to-be-funny notes in small fonts at the end of few pages which author has already warned about in the Introduction. It could have been written in short within a bracket wherever it was needed or a Glossary at the end of the book is better preferred. I didn't like how even Abhilasha is shown getting closer to Kunal in the end. That was almost the 4th girl in the book that was been discussed with Kunal and it started getting boring by then. Well. In all, I must say an entertaining and fun book. Do read it if you are interested in reading something light. Author has closed the book with a chance of it having a sequel. Let's see. I give the book 3.5/5. :-)

 Thanks a lot.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!