Book Title: Fruits of Destiny
Author: Sparsh Mudgal & Chetana Borkar
Format: Paperback

My Thoughts:
2021 started with a good start. For an avid reader like me, I have been reading some very mind-bending books. I have read more non-fiction books. This book by Sparsh and Chetana stands apart from the other book. This is a work of honesty and heartfelt tales of real people.

One of the tales that I really liked amongst all the fabulous ones is - A wait too long by Chetana. This is a tale that every one of us usually skips to even read or watch in the news. Poverty and lower economic background realities and people are made popular only during elections and crisis. Though my statement looks exaggerated, ground reality looks so. How many of us from the privileged classes know the stats of children who are school drop out for various reasons. The worst reason, in my opinion, is the lack of a school. When people get big buildings and villas built by hard-working masons, they live in thatched huts, and their children don't have a school to study. Thanks to good Samaritans like Ramji Bhai in the tale, who had thought to teach the kids no matter in whichever situations the school is.

But, why does nature grab the good deeds? Why did Covid trash Ramji's dreams of running a school with a temporary set-up? Who can answer these hypothetical questions?

This is just a glimpse of the book. There are more tales which will bring out the forgotten basic human in everyone. This is a definitely recommended book.

What to expect from the book?
Expect a book that has small tales with the big and deep meaning of life. As the blurb says, this book is not a daily pick or an easy read. It is tough to face and accept reality, but sometimes, books like this jolt the conscious and remind us how much humans we are still inside our minds.

Who can read?
This book is intended for those readers who look for serious writing. The serious writing also pertains to realistic fiction and realism in the content. Back in history, Kafka and Leo Tolstoy's works were considered under absurd reality and realistic fiction. Here, in this book, authors, Sparsh and Chetana have picked up the real people, real stories and real emotions that happen around everyone.

As the book is written in plain English with no complicated language, it is easy to read. There are pre-warnings for one story that comes under the adult category, but it is the reality, and it must be known.

How good is the author's writing style?
Both the authors, Sparsh and Chetana, have followed a free-style writing format. This style usually gives the reader liberty and the authors to present their views in an unbiased and neutral manner.

The language used in the book is the general English language with no much complex grammar. As the tales are picked up from India, the names of the people mentioned, the places and the other properties are relatable to the readers. Be it the mention of the art of pottery or the city of Amravati or the mere mention of the flesh trade market in the country's capital city.

There are so many things that the authors have expressed in their simple writing. The best part of the book was bringing up the injustice in many ways and different story-telling layers that prevail in our country.

How entertaining is the book?
The tales, stories, and poems vary between every sensitive emotion and feeling a human expresses and experiences. If a story is about nostalgia, other is about the pain of losing someone dear. If a tale is about raw emotions other is about exploring a talent. If a story talks about the improper balance in democracy, another talks about free-spirited souls. Every story gives the reader a feeling that dries the throat and pricks the brain. This is one of the best books that I read in 2021.

Final Verdict
Stories that provoke the sleeping soul!

Rating:
5/5









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