Everything Has A Purpose, by Sudhamshu Hebbar.
(Suggested) Tagline: ...even a misfired cracker!
Been a fan of Sudhamshu's creations, as long as I can remember. Photographs, blog-posts and poems, especially haikus. The reason is simple - I relate to his works easily, and totally. And most his works had made me feel that I would have executed the same idea in the same way, if only it had occurred to me! :) When I have managed to compose a few photographs exactly as he would, I can only dream about writing as good as he does.
Sudhamshu's novel is novel; especially, the efforts he has put in. It's an e-book, but now available in print too. Novel again! And, Sudhamshu is the only person I know personally, who has written a novel. That's again novel !
Considering the fact that this is his first book, the author deserves a lot of praise. The way he introduces the characters, takes the cake. The description of the locality and the building-plans of the apartment blocks are so lucid that I feel like I've been to the apartment complex, more than once. And, there is no dearth of cliches, albeit enjoyable, when he explains the geographical diversity to which the residents belong. (Sudhamshu, tell me if you are a Northie or a Madraasi?)
Halfway through the book, I was asking Sudhamshu whether he used some formula of presentation when he wrote it. A formula which prescribes the timings or plot-positions for introduction of characters, description of locations, bringing in the crux of the story, etc. etc....writing techniques and blah blah. The answer from him was negative, but he mentioned discussing the progress and getting encouragement from the participants of the NaNoWriMo. Whatever formula he applied or not applied, the presentation is perfect.
The short and crisp poems which prelude each chapter are very interesting and appropriate. And, there are so much of analytical descriptions about the psychological effects of each event on each character and their reactions. I so loved the part on Prashant's reactions to seeing the full moon. The next best favorites are all those lengthy paragraphs about how quickly kids think before they react equally quickly, and their pranks.
The core plot of the story is so "in". And I am not writing anything on it, as it should be read straight from the book and enjoyed.
Not to be too favourably partial and to show that I can write a good (not judgemental) review, I should point out some points in the book which I did not like much. Number one, there are a few portions of the book which I found to be too prosaic - the football match and the data on the endangered animal. But am sure there is a different set of audience who would be eager for the same stuff. And I should ask the author whether the little-too-large elaborations were written to achieve the target number of words. Number two, its an e-book after all and doesnt the layout contribute a lot to the readability? Why are all the pages left-aligned and the paragraphs are not evenly-spaced?
On the whole, the book is a good, interesting read. I would have finished it in one go, if I had started reading it during an evening. It was late in the night and so I completed it the next day, after work.
Sudhamshu was saying that the best thing out of this book was its proof-print. I can only imagine the pleasure of the author holding it in his hands...Sudhamshu, got it yet, from the US of A?
Here is the book: Everything Has A Purpose
