Blurb
When brothers Tushar and Nakul Khurana, two Delhi schoolboys, pick up
their family’s television set from a repair shop with their friend Mansoor
Ahmed one day in 1996, disaster strikes without warning. A bomb – one of the
many ‘small’ ones that go off seemingly unheralded across the world – detonates
in the Delhi marketplace, instantly claiming the lives of the Khurana boys.
Mansoor survives, bearing the physical and psychological effects of the bomb.
their family’s television set from a repair shop with their friend Mansoor
Ahmed one day in 1996, disaster strikes without warning. A bomb – one of the
many ‘small’ ones that go off seemingly unheralded across the world – detonates
in the Delhi marketplace, instantly claiming the lives of the Khurana boys.
Mansoor survives, bearing the physical and psychological effects of the bomb.
Karan
Mahajan writes brilliantly about the effects of terrorism on victims and
perpetrators, proving himself to be one of the most provocative and dynamic
novelists of his generation.
My Review
There have been a surge of patriotic books lately but this book is something at a different level. It is one of those books that depict the version of repercussions in the lives of victims, survivors, kins and terrorist equally. With the splendid narration author has set a benchmark for himself. The characters are all constructed brilliantly. Readers can relate with the feelings. It’s about moving on, coping up and above all resurrection.
Bomb as a human being is an ingenious metaphor.
In an era of restlessness and anarchy, the book gains an inexorable importance. It would be a surprise if we don’t see the book among award winning ones. Not only the subject but the palpable narration makes the book stand out among the similar ones.
The cover page shows justice to The dark yet relevant subject. Lack of cover image is surprisingly appealing
The switch from present to past and vice versa was a little confusing though.
I highly recommend the book to everyone.
Reviewed for the publisher
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.
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
Karan Mahajan was
born in 1984 and grew up in New Delhi, India. His first novel, Family Planning,
won the Joseph Henry Jackson Award and was a finalist for the Dylan Thomas
Prize. It was published in nine countries. The Association of Small Bombs is
his second novel.
born in 1984 and grew up in New Delhi, India. His first novel, Family Planning,
won the Joseph Henry Jackson Award and was a finalist for the Dylan Thomas
Prize. It was published in nine countries. The Association of Small Bombs is
his second novel.
