Author : Vipin Behari Goyal
Pages : 152
Price : Rs. 240
Pages : 152
Price : Rs. 240
Publishers : Cyberwit.net
Rating : 3/5
Shadows we know are dependable creatures. Light is what they depend upon. They flicker, they skim, they behave in accordance with the manner the light falls upon its owner. Except the shadows of human souls that form or change in accord with their actions or thoughts is difficult for us to gauge. Or is it?
"What men call the shadow of the body is not the shadow of the body, but is the body of the soul." -- Oscar Wild.
Tall Man Small Shadow, a short novel, has an unconventional theme by the debut author, Vipin Behari Goyal; a financial advisor by profession in Govt of Rajasthan. (The theme, here, garners an extra .5 from me) The plot showcases how every character is entwined with each other either through manipulation or coincidence.
The protagonist Salil falls for the shadow of his pretty neighbor Aalya, a PhD student. Aalya gets into a lesbian relationship with her guide, Seema who is childless and lonesome wife of an artist. Further the shadow uncovers many aspects of life and the book progresses. These and other characters, Aalya's parents and Seema's husband, struggle through their frenzied lives and in the end resolve for a harmonious life. But was is all coincidence or a well thought out plot? Tall Man Small Shadow is about how craftily the harmony is achieved.
Rating : 3/5
Shadows we know are dependable creatures. Light is what they depend upon. They flicker, they skim, they behave in accordance with the manner the light falls upon its owner. Except the shadows of human souls that form or change in accord with their actions or thoughts is difficult for us to gauge. Or is it?
"What men call the shadow of the body is not the shadow of the body, but is the body of the soul." -- Oscar Wild.
Tall Man Small Shadow, a short novel, has an unconventional theme by the debut author, Vipin Behari Goyal; a financial advisor by profession in Govt of Rajasthan. (The theme, here, garners an extra .5 from me) The plot showcases how every character is entwined with each other either through manipulation or coincidence.
The protagonist Salil falls for the shadow of his pretty neighbor Aalya, a PhD student. Aalya gets into a lesbian relationship with her guide, Seema who is childless and lonesome wife of an artist. Further the shadow uncovers many aspects of life and the book progresses. These and other characters, Aalya's parents and Seema's husband, struggle through their frenzied lives and in the end resolve for a harmonious life. But was is all coincidence or a well thought out plot? Tall Man Small Shadow is about how craftily the harmony is achieved.
The writing is simple yet crisp but, at times marred by lack of proof reading. The narration flows gently with occasional babbles. What impairs your reading the most here is the use of multiple voices within one chapter, and it happens through out. Its a small novel more like a novella and can be read at one go. The cover of the book works well to grab one's attention.
This could have made an exceptional read with stronger plot and characterizations along with good editing. Nevertheless, it ends up being a light read with philosophical tone and coincidences woven together.
This review is on request by the author. I thank him for choosing my blog as a platform for his book.
Nice review
ReplyDeleteThank you Ali :)
DeleteIts quite a nice review. :)
ReplyDeletePages off Life
Thank you Rupertt :)
DeleteNice review Namrota..the theme looks interesting.. :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is :)
DeleteThe title is catchy and interesting cover page, half the battle to capture attention is through. I may pick it up for time pass. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteYou got the idea of the book Indrani.
DeleteThe cover page sure evokes curiosity....And hopefully the content shall do justice..Nice review :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover page goes much beyond the content, soham ..:)
DeleteVery interesting .. well written and crisp review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Puru :)
DeleteGood review!! :)
ReplyDeleteRahul
Thanks Rahul :)
DeleteYou had awarded me my first leibester award. From that day, I have been following your blog and trying to imitate your writing style, unfortunately i am still learning. You have an impeccable blog. I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Please collect it here.
ReplyDeletehttp://truethoughts-niranjan.blogspot.in/2013/11/versatile-blogger-award.html
Thank you so much Niranjan... for the Award and those words. :)
DeleteThe very title made me to read your review with curiosity. Seems very interesting book.
ReplyDeleteGet your pick :)
DeleteInteresting title and review. A bold theme, I must add :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am hosting a giveaway with some amazing prizes on my blog http://munniofalltrades.blogspot.in/2013/11/a-fantabulously-fantastic-giveaway.html. Hope you participate!
It is and ... thanks :)
DeleteOh and .. sorry I was't around...I'll check your blog tom.. and I hope the giveaway is still on :)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI may kindly be excused for taking your invaluable time and request you kindly to go through my first online Novella, "The Cape Town Flower" which is only 132 pages’.
I don’t boast that it is worth reading/review but hope that it will certainly draw genuine reader’s attention if a little mention about it is made on your popular blog, “Coffee Beans”. Hope, you will not turn down my request.
The same can be accessed here:-
http://thecapetownflower.blogspot.in/
Thanking you in anticipation.
A.G.Krishnan
Dt.3/12/13
Hello sir,
DeleteThank you for the kind words, I will get back to you tomorrow :)