Usually, #books are written with a pattern of a #narrative divided into plots consisting of different characters. Unlike them this goes in an inverse proportion-- first comes the story of characters forming together a different plot, then these plots come together to form a narrative at a common point of location that is -- #Dhauladhar, In #himachalpradesh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The story is begins with three protagonist-- Nanda, Khusru and Rekha, carrying their own respective stories only to meet at a point of purpose near Dhauladhar range where a dam project is being executed whose engineer was Nanda, from Kerala. On the other hand, Khusru got involved into a terrorist group came as a labour for the destruction of the project. From here, the story starts to gain pace. Rekha's part has been kept at bay by me to avoid the spoiler.
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At one point of time the story becomes slow and monotonous but once the 'boring' word starts pricking you, suddenly a new twist makes a jump only to palpitate your vibes. Language is simple, understanding with a local touch of #Hindi, #Pahadi, #Malayalam, #Kashmiri, #Urdu. It further gives a glimpse of other historical mishaps like infamous Amaranth attack and partition. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, and yes as a mark of recommendation-- you really need to be quite mature with your language and patience is a must. This book can best be felt if it is converted Into a web series. 4/5 will be rating. A #mature, #classic, #thriller #read. ( )

My take


This is your typical Indian-author 285 -page adventure story throwing in a lot of tales with mature scenes and social drama to give weightage to otherwise a basic plot.


This book has blown me away due to the action and adventures and I have not taken away the amazing and amusing experience of reading the wonderful fiction of love, friendship ,pain betrayal , and fun.


Even though the book speaks the efforts and endeavours taken by the people associated with the hydel project there are myriad experiences and events met by the MCs in an elaborate and grand manner.


The plot.


The title looks odd because I don't know the place. The cover design suits the plot.


The strong blurb starts with the following phrase to mean what the book deals with


A HYDEL POWER PROJECT IN THE REMOTE HIMALAYAS THREE PEOPLE BROUGHT THROUGH BY FATE.


There are nearly 26 chapters with a name for captions. The first chapter is Nanda. Some chapters carry the caption like The Tunnel Life.

The book starts with Nanda, the main protagonist in whose POV the story is told an engineer from Kerala , is taking a bus from Delhi to Dhauladhar where there is a hydel project is going on. His story from his birth to till date is told .


Khusru , a youth in Kasmir is working as a labourer in the same dam campsite. Rekha a Kathak dancer and also doctor comes to the site along with him.


All the three protagonists have got their own stories and the whole book covers their experiences both joyful and poignant.


I do not want to speak about the storyline as it is the strength of the book I want to say the highlights of the same for the benefit of the readers.


The pro


There are myriad subplots which are wonderfully woven to make the reading a fantastic journey. The language is beutiful and the pace is indeed fast. There are a plethora of characters and all are highly intelligent and wise.


The best part of the book is the way the story is told. It is in a ludicrous and scintillating way . We would get hooked to the narrative prose which is very excellent . There are copious happy and sad moments .

The impact of the book would remain with us for a long time. Especially when we visit a dam we would think of the sufferings , challenges due to claimate conditions etc , and the ordeals endured with courage by the all involved in the project.


The happenings in the camp site form one part of the story : but there are so many other aspects on various facets are included in the same to engage and entertain the readers.


Sexual encounters of the MCs are described in a nice way.


My Favorite


I like all the MCs namely Nanda , Khusru and Rekha I admire Kuchi for all his sense of duty and his arrangement of cake in recognition of meeting the target. I also like the episode in which Khusru fights with the Pathan and asks the girl who was sexually assaulted by him to kill him.


The following philosophical words have caught my attention


When you are so full of sorrow you can't walk can't cry anymore ,think about the green foliage that sparkles after the rain.


Yesterday is but today's memory , tomorrow is today's dream.


Just because a child has got a big plate does not mean that the mother will serve him more.


My verdict


I love this book . Set against the backdrop of a campsite for the hydel power project the life and death situations people meet , the energy and enthusiasm shown by the professionals to achieve their dreams would enthrall us.

Kochery C Shibu with his experience in the hydroelectric projects in the Cauvery river basin in Karnataka has crafted the novel wel to fill the readers' senses, sights and smells of the campsite. Both the Kalari and Kathak dances have played pivotal roles in moving the story


I recommend this book to all fiction lovers. Everyone can have this book in his bookself . ( )

This book started out a bit rough. It smoothed out about a fourth of the way in and started to show the connection the author was intending. The characters were slow to develop but in the end the complete picture had arrived. Many of the chapters reminded me of a book of smaller stories and at the end they blended together in the bigger story. Perhaps if there had not been such a broad line drawn between the characters back and forth in different chapters it might have had a smoother reading. The plot was very good and the details were spot on making you feel as if you were looking at it and smelling the streets and public transportation. The dialog of the characters was actually superb. I had a very hard time deciding on a rating for this particular book as it was exceptional in some areas and not in others.
I did receive this book free via the author and do appreciate the chance to read it. ( )