Book
Name – False Ceilings
Name – False Ceilings
Author
– Amit Sharma
– Amit Sharma
Publisher – Lifi Publications
Number of Pages – 256
Publishing Year – 2016
Edition –
Paperback
Rating : 4.0
Blurb
Born in the lush mountains of Dalhousie in
1930, Shakuntala is a pampered child of a wealthy builder. On her wedding night
she is gifted a secret to use wisely when the time comes.
1930, Shakuntala is a pampered child of a wealthy builder. On her wedding night
she is gifted a secret to use wisely when the time comes.
From the green valleys of Dalhousie to a village in Punjab reeling under the
communal violence of 1947; from the Delhi of 1950s with its intoxicating smell
of freedom to the Delhi of 1970s soaked in the hippie culture; from the Delhi
of 1984 smelling of burnt tyres to the Delhi of 90s raising its Frankenstein of
urbanization, the cancerous secret breathes with her, infects her. It is
accidentally passed down, hidden under insecurities and jealousies, locked in
its meaninglessness and leaving a trail of ruin.
When her great- grandson accidentally discovers the secret in 2065, he is
perplexed by the malice that flowed in his family’s blood. Was it just the
secret or his family would have destroyed itself even in its absence? Why was
their love never greater than their unsaid expectations from each other?
My Review
Books from Indian authors are puppy romance. Is that the preset
notion? Well, if that’s the case, false ceilings will force us to stash our
prejudices. A highly emotional, tragic drama in a family through generations
will quench the thirst for something different and deep by the readers. For a
first time author, Amit Sharma is quite matured, developed and well-read.
notion? Well, if that’s the case, false ceilings will force us to stash our
prejudices. A highly emotional, tragic drama in a family through generations
will quench the thirst for something different and deep by the readers. For a
first time author, Amit Sharma is quite matured, developed and well-read.
The storyline goes through several generations- from pre-independence era to
the future. Multiplicity of genres without giving any feeling of loss. The narration
exemplarily matches the level classics or the several award winning books.
Though the readers will be at loss trying to join the dots initially, last two
chapters wraps up well and the pieces fall in place perfectly. The
historical events are linked seamlessly.
The readers might get confused at some areas, which in turn cause a drop in
pace of the story. Author succeeded in maintaining the inquisitiveness in the
reader, which is maintained throughout the story. Nevertheless, when the secret
unravels, it doesn’t keep up with how the whole build up is constructed.
Overall the book is highly recommended to the serious readers, who want
something different yet enchanting. With a little more homework, it could have
been one among the classics.
Reviewed
for the book club
for the book club
Disclosure
of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in
exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Amit Sharma’s first fiction book titled False
Ceilings has been published by Lifi Publications. The book launch happened on
12 Jan 2016 in the World Book Fair in Delhi.
Ceilings has been published by Lifi Publications. The book launch happened on
12 Jan 2016 in the World Book Fair in Delhi.
Amit has been working in a Software Firm since
the last ten years. He lives with his family in NCR. His wife is a teacher and
they are blessed with a daughter who is in her terrible twos.
the last ten years. He lives with his family in NCR. His wife is a teacher and
they are blessed with a daughter who is in her terrible twos.
Amit always keeps a book and a portable reading
light in his bag (much to the amusement of his fellow travelers). His other
hobbies include watching world cinema, travelling, digging into various
cuisines, cooking, listening to music, painting, blogging, making his daughter
laugh and helping his wife with her unnecessary and prolonged shopping.
light in his bag (much to the amusement of his fellow travelers). His other
hobbies include watching world cinema, travelling, digging into various
cuisines, cooking, listening to music, painting, blogging, making his daughter
laugh and helping his wife with her unnecessary and prolonged shopping.
