Book Review: The Virgins

Reading a coming-of-age book is always fun and this book gives you no disappointment. 

Not every book gives you the chance to re-live your sweet memories but this story will surely bring back those memories which you have always cherished. 

How does one become a man?
Three young friends are about to find out.

With six unmarried sisters and a perennially drunk father, Pinku, a 19-year-old school dropout, has only one dream left: to marry the plump girl who’d caught him stealing flowerpots. His friend and confidant, 17-year-old Bhandu, is not faring any better — his parents are divorcing, his father has abandoned him, and the American tourist he is infatuated with doesn’t even know he exists. Bhandu and Pinku seek solace in the distracting shenanigans of their friend Guggi — a pampered rich brat who can do anything for a thrill. Guggi’s reckless hedonism lands the threesome in a series of 'sexpot' escapades — each adventure weirder than the one before.
But their seemingly innocuous joyride is about to end.
With their Class 12 exams around the corner, Guggi, restless to leave a mark, takes over the school’s notorious protection racket in a violent coup. The fallout drags the trio into a murky world of heartbreak, betrayal, and bloody vengeance . . .
Fast, funny, and earthy, The Virgins is a coming-of-age novel that marks the debut of a promising writer.

“The Virgins” is about three friends living in Banaras – Pinku, Bhandu and Guggi. Pinku is a school-dropout, with responsibilities towards his family, dreams of marrying a girl he loves and he is all of nineteen. Bhandu’s life is a mess. His family is not the perfect family and he is also searching his way on the road to love. Guggi is always up to no good and trouble, thanks to his friends as well. Besides this, they have their class 12 exams round the corner and life couldn’t get more exciting. From there on in this small town India, their lives begin and take on a different turn.  

A remarkable story of friendship, love, deceit and how teenagers grow into men by learning the hard way. Siddharth style of writing is incredibly witty and fast paced making it a page turning adventure. Set in the back drop of Banaras, this book will be interesting for those who had lived their childhood in such small towns. The title is catchy and so is the colorful cover page. The character formation was balanced giving equal importance to each characters. Overall a funny, entertaining and touching story.

To sum up my review, I could say Mr. Siddharth Thripathi has done a commendable job producing this book. He doesn't seem like a first time writer and he definitely has his own style which is totally different. I would give 3 stars for his story and I would like to read his next book soon. All the best Siddharth Thripathi.

The book was received as part of Reviewers Programme on TheTales Pensive.

You can get a copy for yourself at flipkart.

Happy Reading :-) 

Book Review: The Homing Pigeons

I still feel so much involved into the story though I have finished my read few minutes back. I think it’s the author’s spell on the readers. Surely a un-put-down-able book that keeps me wondered about the author’s imagination. No other Indian contemporary has left such an impact like this and no book has ever made me so excited to review.

In the middle of the catastrophic 2008 recession, Aditya, a jobless, penniless man meets an attractive stranger in a bar, little does he know that his life will change forever…..
When Radhika, a young, rich widow, marries off her stepdaughter, little does she know that the freedom that she has yearned for is not exactly how she had envisioned it…..
They say Homing Pigeons always come back to their mate, no matter where you leave them on the face of this earth. Homing Pigeons is the story of love between these two unsuspecting characters as it is of lust, greed, separations, prejudices and crumbling spines.

“The Homing Pigeons” by Sid Bhari is the book which has an excellent narration. This is a story of Aditya and Radhika. One chapter narrated from the perspective of Aditya and another from Radhika’s, so you get to know what each character feels from their points of view.  The first few pages started with suspense making us to get engaged with the book. Aditya is out of a job, as the book starts. He is well on his way to being an alcoholic. He passes out in the bar of a fancy hotel. Divya, a traveling professional woman, rescues him. She has a proposal for him, an indecent one.In the meantime, Radhika is on the brink of marrying off her step-daughter. She is a rich widow and looking forward to an independent life finally.

The best part of the book comes when both the characters, Aditya and Radhika, are showed to be diverged roads of same square, when we get to know that once both had been together, and its when we get the title justified! Instantly, reader gets confirmed about that both shall meet finally but Sid again proves himself and lets you wonder, the term 'how' until you are at the very end of your journey.

Aditya and Radhika have a common past, but do they have a future together?

Coming to the style of writing, it’s easy to read and is a page turner. The pace is very good at the beginning of the book but somewhere in the middle and end, the story slows down. The English is simple and easy to understand.

To sum up my review, I would say Mr. Sid Bhari has done an appreciable job in his very debut. Unlike other authors who just come out with typical college love stories as their debut, he has really changed the exceptions of reader from debut authors. I rate 4/5 for this poignant debut. I strongly recommend this book to everyone and I would like to read his next book soon. 

This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com

Get a Copy for yourself at Flipkart.

Happy Reading :-)