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Setting: Los Angeles to Bangalore; and back.
Cast: the Famous Five – K, A, A, D and I.
Story & plot: Author’s main protagonist is K, who is gifted with Synaesthesia- the ability to visualize human beings and emotions in colors.The proverbial ‘poor little rich boy’, whose paternal and maternal origins are murky, but is amply compensated by wealth, academic success, raging testosterones and …close-knit buddies.
The story follows a non-linear sequence of events with multiple flashbacks and flashforwards; the narrative style also applies to the lives of his 4 buddies.
Interestingly, K, A and A are inter-linked in mysterious ways right since their birth.
K & I are a case of ‘Attraction of the Mirror images’, so are A & A. The former are ambitious go-getters and casually promiscuous; while A & A are the shy, intellectual and stable ones. D is a … mystery to be unraveled as you read.
Each has a life story that is a complete and satisfying sub-plot on its own and yet linked across years.
Both A & A fall in love with ‘elder’ fantasies, both stories are piquant and refreshing. Even ‘I’ manages to manipulate her life deftly before it manipulates her and yet she finds loyal love in the most unexpected suitor. D has his own demons, as does K.
While the other four deal head-on with situations, K seems to wallow in self-pity. His doomed relationships are entered into with eyes ‘wide–shut’. His redeeming feature comes at the end, where he finally shows gumption, has a definite goal and a plan of action in the positive mood. (To be honest, my vision is ‘colored’ by my dislike for the protagonist’s namesake.)
Interesting quotes/dialogues: 1. Hate is the other side of love. the opposite of love is indifference. 2. Men’s hearts are of glass- they smash to smithereens. Women’s hearts are of elastic- resilient and flexible. 3. As teenagers we are worried about what people think of us; in the twenties, we do not care what others think of us; at thirty we realize that everybody is so busy thinking of themselves that they have no time to think about us. 4. Nimmi was pale yellow- insignificant in the background, ugly in the forefront.
Verdict: A debutante author’s creative tale with definite potential and promise. Good plot development, apt character descriptions and a neat tying up of loose ends. Looking forward to his next work.
renu said:
Liked the third no quote..it is so true.
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dr sweetyshinde said:
I know, very apt across all continents and generations. I think that is the mark of a good writer, one who can put into words what we all feel.
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Samik said:
Creative review as usual! I love the way you write reviews, to the point and immensely helpful! I don’t quite believe in reviews but yours have a considerable amount of rationality in them which actually helps to decide if I should consider reading. Haha. How are you?
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dr sweetyshinde said:
Wow, that’s a whole lot of praise for a critical article! Since I am both (aspiring) author and (existing) reader, I try to be kind to the former and kinder to the latter.
Am fine. I finally searched out my sketches and scanned them all in one go. Will make a page on blog and upload them , maybe next week. Also decided the next set of personas I want to sketch. I am still stuck at person-sketches, not nature or landscape.
And you?
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Samik said:
I am not too bad myself! I too drew a few things in the past week. Just letting the graphite run free haha. its a kind of bliss. Uploaded a few on Instagram which is rapidly turning into a sketch gallery. Haha. in other news, I often end up giving awkward stares to the acrylic set lying on the far end of my drawer every once in a while telling myself – ‘Hang in there, one of these days, I promise!’ 😀
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dr sweetyshinde said:
Haha, poor acrylics!
I would love to see your sketches. How do I search on Instagram? Is it different from Pinterest?
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Samik said:
I have never used Pinterest hehe. Here’s the link to my Instagram. I update it quite frequently – http://instagram.com/flipflopdreamer
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dr sweetyshinde said:
Saw them. Very nice, especially the shading. Do you sketch known or unknown people?
I do not (yet) have an Instagram ID, so I could not post any comment there.
Why don’t you post them on ur website/ blog as well?
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Samik said:
Thanks! I sketch anything that catches my eye… The ones on the Instagram, however, were known people except the lady resting her chin on the palm of her hand. But there’s more to come. About putting my sketches in the blog, I had a vague idea to have the blog to focus only on my writing and not distract it with anything else hehe. When I have enough paintings to exhibit, I will perhaps make a page or something…
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dr sweetyshinde said:
Good. Hope the day arrives soon.
Did you make the people model for you or directly sketched from a photograph?
I find scaled drawing easier than free hand.
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christawojo said:
This sounds interesting. My little sister is blind, also an aspiring writer, suffers from synesthesia. I say ‘suffer’ because although most people don’t seem to be bothered by this phenomenon, it distracts and disturbs her greatly.
I would love to know–how did this character feel about his condition?
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dr sweetyshinde said:
Hi Christawajo
As the saying goes, ‘Pain is compulsory; suffering is optional.’ Does she really perceive people in colors? Must be like an ESP, to blast through deceptive looks and voices; to see the truth about people through their color aura.
The character does feel alienated bcos of his special ability. He does describe the people he meets thru colors. They also change shades of their respective color as per the situation; like indigo blue in intense moods and sky blue at other times. (Does your sister experience this?)He also loses his ability mid-way, when he goes through a mid-life crisis when everything seems to be failing in his life. He regains his ability towards the end, when he decides to take up the reins of his life.
THnx for the comment. Do keep visiting!
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