Title: Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai
Author: Rishi Vohra
Plot: Babloo has been diagnosed as autistic,
schizophrenic and psychotic, which has left his traditional middle class Indian
parents with no clue as to how to deal with him. After taking longer than usual
to complete his college course, Babloo doesn’t have a clue either – about what
to do with his life. Menial jobs suggested by his father don’t work with him,
since he feels that destiny has more in store. All he knows for sure is that he
loves Vandana, the beauty of their rail side colony, but doesn’t know what to
do about it. As his life seems to hit an all time low, something happens that
transforms Babloo’s boring life into something much, much bigger. Is this
destiny’s big break for Babloo? Will this make his dreams come true?
Review: This book is author Rishi Vohra’s debut
novel and is not a bad effort at that. The first half to three quarters of the
book tend to drag along, slowly planting you in the midst of Mumbai, among all
the bustling trains and crowds and noise. That, in my opinion, is the best
thing the author has accomplished in this book – created a perfect stage. Mumbai
actually feels like it’s come alive through the descriptions of the various
areas, stations and even of the different people. The characters have been
colored well, and you feel like you’ve either seen or heard of people like them
in real life. Few people are painted completely in black or white, and even the
minor characters have distinct personalities.
Babloo, the protagonist, is a
friendless man, a victim of assorted mental problems. Given that, I feel the
book would have made more of an impact had the narrative been in the third
person. It’s not that Babloo isn’t a well etched character, after a while, you
even get used to his blank staring; but the narrative sort of gets a little
mixed up when talking from Babloo’s standpoint and when it shifts to the lives
of the other characters in the book.
Another impressive feature is how the
author has got a pretty good understanding of the female psyche. And that is
not a minor feat for a man!! I could completely empathize with Vandana’s
situation though I’d have liked her to have a little more gumption. But I guess
that’s okay since the story is, after all, Babloo’s story.
As it is, the plot is an interesting
concept, but like I mentioned earlier, it takes a while to pick up the pace. Rail
Man’s entry is the catalyst that takes it into page turner territory. I wish he
had appeared a little earlier in the story so that we could relish a few more of his adventures.
Verdict: Worth a read. Perfect for a
long train journey, when the sound of the train’s wheels on its tracks provides
the perfect background score.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes, but all
opinions mentioned are my own.