TITLE: MEN AND DREAMS IN THE DHAULADHAR
AUTHOR: KOCHERY.C.SHIBU
GENRE: FICTION
GOODREADS SYNOPSIS
A Hydel project in the remote Himalayas- three people brought together by fate.
Nanda an engineer from Kerala at the dam construction site, hiding from his past, from the law, torn between the love for his dear ones, and the Kalari code of revenge.
Khusru, a youth displaced from his native village in Kashmir, a gambit in the terror plot that threatens to blow up the dam, working as a labourer at the site.
Rekha, a Kathak dancer at heart, a doctor by profession, arrives at the campsite as the consort of Khusru.
A village that accepts the dictates of modernity with a heavy heart, its population steeped in superstitions and religious beliefs.
Khusru, a youth displaced from his native village in Kashmir, a gambit in the terror plot that threatens to blow up the dam, working as a labourer at the site.
Rekha, a Kathak dancer at heart, a doctor by profession, arrives at the campsite as the consort of Khusru.
A village that accepts the dictates of modernity with a heavy heart, its population steeped in superstitions and religious beliefs.
All throng the campsite like moths to a flame, some escape untouched, successful; some miss a step and perish. each has a story to tell and a dream to realise. Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar is about the aspirations of these people, with their cares and worries woven to the site life. The fury of nature and hardships of project life have no mercy for the weak and no time for the dead.
Like an eternal spectator, the Dhauladhar watches as men risk their lives and limb in the quest to fulfil their dreams.
Like an eternal spectator, the Dhauladhar watches as men risk their lives and limb in the quest to fulfil their dreams.
MY REVIEW
The story revolves around the dam construction at the Dhauladhar range. A thriller with the exact proportion of human emotions, which root deep into the reader’s mind. This is the author’s debut novel.
It addresses a few social relevant issues that reign in India. Political hatred presents a severe problem nowadays, which eventually leads to the bloodsheds of many innocents. Another issue is labourers pathetic life at the work sites of the massive projects. Most of the time labourers lose their lives for meagre wages. Terrorism is the core matter that book mainly deals with. The author has defined the cause of each social wrongs precisely and it is appreciable.
The book has narrated in the three lead character’s perspectives as well as the third person POV. The Author has vastly described each key character of the story. There are several technical terms related to dam construction and other regional languages in the book. The author has explained each of these in the intelligible words. Personally, being an engineer I discovered this book as an informative read.
In the entire reading phase, one thing was clear that the author had well researched before writing this novel. The reader would get more in-depth knowledge about “Kalari” (martial art) and “Kathak” (Indian classical dance form).
It has brilliantly illustrated the exquisite beauty of the Dhauladhar range. The local people’s life, their belief, and the marvel of their herbal medicines are worth read.
This book would have been indeed better if the author had avoided the vast character and technical descriptions. I felt the ending was so abrupt and vague. Otherwise, I would recommend this book to everyone for experiencing the chill and adventure of the Dhauladhar range.
The author sent me the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
MY RATING
5
You can buy the book here.
