Skip to main content

Book Review- Demons in My Mind by Aashish Gupta

There are some good books and then there are amazing books which stay to haunt you. Demons in My Mind is one such book. 

About the Author and the Book

Aashish Gupta is the bold author of the book. Why Bold? This is such a heavy book, not by volume but by theme. Hats off to him for handling the story of 'The Three Monk' in a way one might not expect.
The story starts with the ailing Dakshesh who is left under a tree by the villagers as he wants to meet the three Monks before he breathes his last. He does meet them and each of them tells their story. Interestingly each of the monk was a criminal, performing the most hideous of crimes.

I was so much into the book that I lived each of the monk's lives and also died the way some characters died.

There was a point of time where I hated the men in the story and wanted to throw away the book. But then, that's when you get a surprise. I couldn't stop reading and continued. The book does touch upon the point of how our minds control us, how one gets to extremes and looses control over self. 

What I admire about the writing? - It is not a boring self help book, but it does make one pause and reflect upon life.

Author's Special Touch

This book is Aashish's debut, but he already has that knack. In the story of the second monk he writes about a painter performing his art. I loved every bit of the description and felt as if I was a part of the audience. 
Each and every character is so much alive. After a long time I have read an author for whom I can say 'I hated his writing as much as I loved it!'



The Twist

Every story has its own twist, but the best is when you reach the end. The book is also a page-turner for it keeps you hooked not just out of interest but also hatred to know why the character is doing what he is?

The author also gives pointers which can be used in his life.

Verdict

4.5/5  --Yes indeed. Aashish is an amazing author and we can look forward to have more from him. Proud to own this book!

Buy the book. Believe me it is going be a collector's choice soon.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Strategic marketing - Lessons from a Bhelpuri wala

Most of the time while getting back home I join a friend of mine who drops me at a metro station. In my second or third visit itself I noticed a bhelpuri wala. This man is not like other local market tapri wala. He was clean and seemed well organized.  He had 4 plastic covers, each containing onion , tomato, coriander and green chillies (all uncut). Highlight were the fresh lemons. He had papers folded like cones. A box with masala and a cover with loads of mixture. Like any office goer returning home, I too was slightly hungry for some munching. What better than bhel. I liked the way he customized my bhel by checking for the quantity of chilly and lemon. I liked it so much that I got one more for my sis. Thus began the love for bhel. One day it so happened that my husband was about to pick me up and I was waiting just next to the same bhel guy. I was an observer that day. In a span of 20 mins this guy served around 8 customers.  Interesting! I began talking to him(shhh......

Nick names - why are they important?

I just completed reading The Namesake by Jhuma Lahiri. A very nicely written book. Relations are portrayed beautifully. But what caught my attention was the concept behind nick names. In North India its common to have Nick names like monu,sonu, guddi, etc. In South India, you may have multiple names, but all the names will be meaningful ones. For e.g., Sita is the name given by elders, in school she will be Gayatri. But in Bengalis, it is a custom to have a bhalo naam and a daak naam. Bhalo naam is the formal name by which one would be known in school or college or office. Daak naam is the pet name ones family keeps. Selecting this pet name in itself is a task. And these names are weird, Bulty, Rumi, Budi and so on. But there lies a deeper meaning to this tradition. These names are meant to make one realize that life is not always serious, life is not just about struggle, life is not just about running for survival. Life at times is just for one self. Life is sweet cute and meanin...

I AM- Proud to be a woman

I have been in existence, Forever and ever. I have seen it all, I'm unstoppable like a river. I know what happiness is, And I know what is misery. I'm not the one to fall, I can unravel life's mystery. I'm the petite girl, You would want to hold. Watch it! Hurt me, You will see my side untold. I can make you smile, And I can cry with you. I'm like the sunshine, And I'm like the dew. I'm the Kali, Oh so fierce. I'm also the calm Sita, Whom you revere. I'm the one about whom, A lot is said and written. Praise me or Criticize me, I am Proud to be a WOMAN!!! Regards, Srilekh