Anirban Das

I am often optimistic when a description includes the words humorous, funny or in this case witty novel. The good, broad humor is exactly what struck my funny bone. Cinematically, there are some scenes which might even translate well as slapstick.

'Just Kidding... Yours, Destiny' is Anirban's debut book. The introduction suggests that it's a story of an ambitious guy named Kunal Roy whose peaceful professional and personal life drowns when a new boss arrives in his company and a new girl in his life.

Kunal doesn't seem to be very lucky. He has a job as an executive at HomeMakers. He's satisfied with his work until the day when a new boss, Harry Kapoor, arrives. He gets involved with a young girl, Srishti, who just joined the company. The situations became funnier and funnier to me as the plot went on. Kunal Roy lurches from one comic disaster to the next, and yet somehow it all comes right for him at the end - which of course is what we want for him.

'Just Kidding... Yours, Destiny' has a lot of the humor in the nastiness of the people and their interactions. People who are trying to be mean to others ending up looking like fools.

The book sustains a deftly calibrated mixture of Author Anirban's signature self-effacing humor and his knack for intelligent storytelling that buoys an otherwise tiresome and self-important account of Kunal Roy's rise and fall and rise. Author Anirban Das is apt to infuse his writing with adorable wit and a strong sense of understanding.

Very consistently amusing and highly enjoyable.… (meer)

Note : This Review was originally published @ Readers' Muse

Whenever an Indian writer approaches us for reviews we never say no. It’s my country and I wish to encourage writing in my country! Though there are a lot of wannabies inspired by a particular writer who according to me isn’t worth to be a literary inspiration, yet writing off young writers and being judgemental is not fair. Thus I decided to go ahead and pick this book.

The summary talks of making choices and destiny. Destiny has increasingly become every other writer’s choice of theme. Anirban’s book is no different.

So what really made the book stand out? Narration. That’s it. Just the narration with footnotes.

The ending was predictable after a certain part of the story, till that particular turning point I was expecting the typical Bollywood kind “All is well” climax. Then again, like every other writer who centres his/ her plot on destiny invariably go in for a “different” (read sad) ending unlike the B-Wood ending! This book is no different.

The characterisations were realistic to some extent! I loved Shristi’s characterisation. I’ve always sort of wanted to be that bold girl who could roam around in a Bullet (Someday I will for sure! Working on it tirelessly).

Thankfully the writing was at least clean; else I wouldn’t have been able to complete the book. The narration was good sans the overdose of drama that one normally finds in a typical “destiny” book. The one thing that certainly deserves a mention are the foot notes. They really made my day. They were point blank hilarious!

The other thing that certainly needs to be lauded is the cover art. It quite justifies that title of the book. Loved the vibrant Blue & Yellow colors.

Though the writer began well, he sort of messed up midway. It was almost like he was thoroughly lost and confused as to how to end the book.

Overall, for a neat attempt by a rookie who obviously needs to work on plotline cohesiveness though he sure is witty and humorous.

VERDICT: Just another book. Could be skipped or could be read. Go for it if you want to just laugh!

RATING: 3 on 5
… (meer)