Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Book Review: The Homing Pigeons by Sid Bahri





Finished reading The Homing Pigeons by Sid Bahri (Shrishti Publishers)

"...a remarkable novel by a first time novelist of immense promise...often exquisitely rendered...exceptional achievement that deserves all the plaudits it is sure to garner" says Shashi Tharoor about this book!

I have read some really nice reviews and thus chose to read it. The story revolves around the complicated lives of Aditya and Radhika (Best friends since school days, never expressed the love for each other)

At the difficult time of recession, Aditya loses his job, living off his estranged wife and out of frustration he chooses alcohol as his companion. On a fateful night, floating in the pool of alcohol, he meets Divya. He never knew that she could upend his life in bizarrely different way.

Radhika, a wealthy widow who marries off her estranged step-daughter Meera, is glad and excited to have her freedom. But does she get the freedom she has yearned and imagined?

To know more about the story, you'll have to read the book and trust me you won't be disappointed.

For a first time author Sid Bahri has done an excellent job! I really liked the writing style. I liked the narration. Skillful swapping from one point of view to other makes the execution of the story smooth. The book is packed with many interesting & surprising twists and turns, that makes this unique story line quite unpredictable.

I don't want to point out any negatives but one thing I found really distracting that Radhika reminisces her childhood as a three & five year old, in a very synchronized manner. I could just recollect very few blurred images of my childhood as 'three' or five year old. I asked few people if they remember their childhood as three year old. The experience was same as mine.

Though I thought the end was very abrupt I liked the finishing lines by both the protagonists!

"For what are we but homing pigeons that have that innate, uncanny ability to find their mate, no matter where you leave them on the faces of this earth."

"A strong backbone differentiates humans from jellyfish"

Overall, this book, enclosed in a really nice cover is a very different, intense and interesting read! Those who like to read contemporary fiction...go for it! It's really different. Definitely looking forward to reading his next.

This (Unbiased) book review is a part of "The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program". To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com. Thanks Nimi Vashi for giving me the opportunity to read such a nice book!











13 comments:

  1. Looks like a good read. I find it hard to get books from indian authors here, have to go to NY library.

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  2. Hi-5!! Tarang... this book is simply too good!!

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  3. I read the book too and I really liked it for a debut work. refreshingly new plot and yeah I do agree with that childhood memory thing, forgot to mention that in my review. I had read somewhere that kids do not form memories before they are 5 and to have a photographic memory like that of Radhika is a little unbelievable but I think the author took a little poetic license to defy biology :P Overall, lovely read and a great review :)

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    1. It distracted me so much that I stopped reading for a moment to remember things when I was three...:)
      Glad you liked the review. Thank you Swarnali!:)

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  4. I have not read this book yet. Btw the cover page of this book always reminds me of 'The flight of the Pigeons' by Ruskin Bond.

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    1. :) I haven't read that book but this one is nice...:)

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  5. Hello Tarang. Thanks for the lovely review. I do agree with your inputs. Even I feel the same about the book.

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    1. Hi Sridevi!
      Glad you liked the review. Thanks!:)

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  6. This is indeed an awesome book. I loved it.
    I think you haven't read 'too hard to handle. if not, then order now. Great book with so many wow moments.

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  7. Loved you review !! I felt the same. Have you read life is what you make it, too hard to handle ( just released ) & how I braved anu aunty?? Three must read books for all readers :)

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    1. Thank you Akshat! And thanks for the recommendation:)

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