Of Aakash and Aarti by Govind Sharma (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

The last book that I had read of Mr. Govind Sharma is “State vs Amrit Kumar” and I had liked it a lot considering it was of only 150 pages and covered a wonderful story where the cop fought against corruption getting against his own seniors and officials. I was very much impressed by the author that he could narrate a wonderful story in such limited words. I picked up his latest book last week named “Of Aakash and Aarti” which is again been limited under 194 pages and author has again impressed me as a reader the way he narrates this story in as less pages as possible which includes multiple characters with different emotional sets.

The backdrop of the story is very well described and narrated which makes it easier for the readers to understand the characters of the lead- Aakash and Aarti. Both the characters are so distinctly different from each other yet gets along well is what becomes a wonderful read initially. And then the ambition of a poor girl is so beautifully portrayed that you fall even for the wrong things that she gets into. It takes guts to confuse readers with what is right and wrong with a character despite knowing that everything done is nothing but completely criminal and immoral. On the other hand, the way Aakash’s association with drugs is shown tells the readers about the ill-effects of getting addicted and what it does to a very good person.

The way the importance of being away from drugs is narrated tells the good intention with which the author has put this novel out for his readers. I just felt as a drawback after a point of time not making his character leave drugs made the story rotate around the same cycle of sub-plot again and again thus making it monotonous and boring after a point of time. The characters of Basant and Rajeshwari Devi is again an interesting set-up. I liked how the author has worked upon the background which makes his characters sound real and happening. Talking about another drawback, I felt that author could not maintain the relationship of Aakash and Aarti regularly in the book. He would either discuss Aarti’s life or Aakash’s but could not take their story forward simultaneously. That could have made the book more evolving. Rest, I feel only the title of this book would prevent readers from buying it as it sounds like a cheese love story though it’s not. Rest, it’s a fine story to which I give 3.25 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!