#BookReviews
Title: The 365 Days
Author: Nikhil Ramteke
Publisher: Write India Publishers
Pages: 192
Price: Rs. 110
My Rating: 3/5
Blurb:
This is a story that falls through the crevices of pitiless anonymity, yet miraculously waits to be told.
Shijukutty, a Malayali fisherman, leaves his tiny hamlet of abject poverty in the coastal village of Vizhinjam on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, that picturesque vignette of searing beauty on the southwestern coast of India. Shiju, like millions of other Malayalis, seeks his destiny in Dubai, that gleaming global hub of fortune on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. What unfolds is a stirring story of distilled hardship, exploitation, identity, and friendship, and the heartbreaking choices Shiju is often forced to make. So what he sees is not what he experiences when he lands in a world of glimmering towers, fast-paced life, and unabashed opulence. For what he was not prepared for was the dark underbelly of Dubai beyond the shimmering mirage.
Shiju's life is no more the same. But he holds his ground, drawing on ancient instincts of his seafaring ancestry. As things settle down around him, he is inexorably pulled into the canyon of recession...
Will Shiju be able to hold on to his dreams? Will he able to pull out himself from the whirlpool? Will he survive against all odds? Will he redeem himself?
Nikhil Ramteke unfolds an extraordinary saga about Indian expatriates, their struggles, their alienation, and their dreams. The 365 Days is more than a story of a year in Shijukutty's life.
Review:
Some dreams are fulfilled and some are shattered. While some turn into a living horror. The 365 Days is a book which comprises of the latter. It is a story of migrants from Indian continent and how they suffer and endure everything that's thrown their way.
Shiju, leaves his home and peaceful life and moves to Dubai in order to make money and earn himself a name. However what he gets is a big shock. The story revolves around his life and all the disastrous choices he make (or is forced to make) in name of his job.
Overall the plot is good. What I liked is the touch to the reality. While reading we can feel the pain and sufferings of Shiju and other migrants. We feel like killing the agents and others. And no matter the cost, we feel like saving these poor souls from the brutal torture.
The characterization is decent. However at times I felt like losing touch with the lead characters. For other characters, author has done a good job in maintaining a balance between story requirement and character exposure.
What I didn't like about the story is the week narration at a few places and the way it felt dragged (to me) on certain pages. But that's just my opinion - I like fast pace on novels.
Overall it is a pretty decent read. It touches heart and leaves you with a feeling of solemness and wet eyes.
My overall rating to the book is 3/5
Do grab a copy.
Lots of Love
Wonderful items from you, man. I've be mindful your stuff previos to and you are just extremely magnificent.
ReplyDeleteI really likie what you've obtained here, really like what you're saying and the best way through which
you are saying it. Youu are making it enjoyablke and you still casre for to
stay it sensible. I can not wait to reaad much more from you.
That iss really a great website.
pendaftaran kuliah gratis