Book
Name – Rafflesia
Author – Gautam
Publisher – Frog Books (Leadstart)
Number of Pages -397
Publishing Year -2017
Edition -Paperback
Price -395
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Rating : 4.0
My Review
Rafflesia tells you why it is said that ‘We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’. The cover image of Rafflesia gives you an impression of a historical romance or YA fantasy. The blurb gives you an impression of psychological thriller with an eccentric or schizophrenic protagonist.
Whatever impression did the book convey on the periphery, on further foray into the character and storyline, the readers realize that it is a complicated yet, simply narrated story of Appu a simpleton, a soft spoken lad. It is the story of his love, his camaraderie, his career, his family and extended family. Appu is an introvert. He seldom speaks anything more than what is necessary. His friendship starts with Pinky. Her little companion, who compensates for Appu’s reserved and shy nature. Living in a dilapidated, rented house with his parents- Aabir and Trina, Appu don’t brood any big dreams, wherein his parents’ dreams lies solely on Appu.
Appu’s colorless life changes for good, once he meets Rahul and his family. Rahul’s father, Vikram, is Aabir’s friends. Rahul mother Amala adopts Appu as her heartborne child. A traumatic tragedy in the family brings storms in Appu’s family as well. If that was not enough, Appu’s father loses his job and becomes physically unwell. Adding to the hardships, the family is robbedof their life’s savings by a trusted aide in disguise of a financial support. In spite of all hardships, Appu studies well and continues to be a topper. Nevertheless, the financial instabilities and father’s illness forces Appu to take up any job that comes his way. Troubles don’t end there and Appu is exploited and ill-treated at his workplaces. He gets his mother’s love when he meets Jeet and Sujata at Leeuwarden. For Sujata, Appu is a son she never had. While Appu tries to settle down there, another tragedy brings him back to India.
The narration is slow paced, yet engaging. Emotional ups and downs in Appu’s life is depicted with finesse. Right from the beginning a tragic undertone is maintained. Appu’s life is depicted as a flashback which comes intermittently in Appu’s thought processes, as well as in the form of an independent chapter. The book is a literary treat. The suspense element is maintained well. A lot of characters come by but author has succeeded in avoiding confusion.
Towards the end, the plot is dragged too much that I no longer cared about Rafflesia, by the time her story unfolded. The book need a thorough editing and proofreading. The mistakes in typesetting itself made a lot of confusions.
Overall the book is an above-average read.
Rafflesia tells you why it is said that ‘We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’. The cover image of Rafflesia gives you an impression of a historical romance or YA fantasy. The blurb gives you an impression of psychological thriller with an eccentric or schizophrenic protagonist.
Whatever impression did the book convey on the periphery, on further foray into the character and storyline, the readers realize that it is a complicated yet, simply narrated story of Appu a simpleton, a soft spoken lad. It is the story of his love, his camaraderie, his career, his family and extended family. Appu is an introvert. He seldom speaks anything more than what is necessary. His friendship starts with Pinky. Her little companion, who compensates for Appu’s reserved and shy nature. Living in a dilapidated, rented house with his parents- Aabir and Trina, Appu don’t brood any big dreams, wherein his parents’ dreams lies solely on Appu.
Appu’s colorless life changes for good, once he meets Rahul and his family. Rahul’s father, Vikram, is Aabir’s friends. Rahul mother Amala adopts Appu as her heartborne child. A traumatic tragedy in the family brings storms in Appu’s family as well. If that was not enough, Appu’s father loses his job and becomes physically unwell. Adding to the hardships, the family is robbedof their life’s savings by a trusted aide in disguise of a financial support. In spite of all hardships, Appu studies well and continues to be a topper. Nevertheless, the financial instabilities and father’s illness forces Appu to take up any job that comes his way. Troubles don’t end there and Appu is exploited and ill-treated at his workplaces. He gets his mother’s love when he meets Jeet and Sujata at Leeuwarden. For Sujata, Appu is a son she never had. While Appu tries to settle down there, another tragedy brings him back to India.
The narration is slow paced, yet engaging. Emotional ups and downs in Appu’s life is depicted with finesse. Right from the beginning a tragic undertone is maintained. Appu’s life is depicted as a flashback which comes intermittently in Appu’s thought processes, as well as in the form of an independent chapter. The book is a literary treat. The suspense element is maintained well. A lot of characters come by but author has succeeded in avoiding confusion.
Towards the end, the plot is dragged too much that I no longer cared about Rafflesia, by the time her story unfolded. The book need a thorough editing and proofreading. The mistakes in typesetting itself made a lot of confusions.
Overall the book is an above-average read.
This review is in return of a free book from WritersMelon
About the author
A B-School graduate, Gautam is a business analyst by profession. Considers the laptop as among his best friends and nurses a secret desire to turn an entrepreneur someday.
