There is something insanely enchanting about serial killers and the story surrounding them. Organized crime with a motive has always been thrilling, but when there is a lack of motive and only a DRIVE that urges one to kill, it becomes even more fascinating.
Piyush Jha’s
latest offering “Raakshas” is one such novel. Describing the parallel lives of
a serial killer and an investigating officer, this novel is racy, thrilling and
keeps you hooked till the end.
PLOT
His name is
unknown. We know him simply as RAAKSHAS. He aspires to be India’s most dreaded
and famous serial killer. But how did he reach this stage? What was meted on to
him during his childhood and growing years that ultimately made him reach the
heights of insanity? Was he actually insane or was he a sane, cool, composed,
calculated and cold blooded murderer? The plot describes all the above
questions.
On the other
hand, we have the ACP of Mumbai police Maithili Prasad, who is hell bent upon
catching this raakshas. But she too has her own scars and childhood nightmares
which still haunt her. Will she be able to overcome her own inner demons and
catch this raakshas?
WRITING STYLE
Piyush Jha’s
unconventional writing style makes a lot of difference. Most of the passages
and portions are in indirect speech, with less dialogues. This reduces the
intensity at times but creates a rather eerie atmosphere at times.
The killings
are described vividly and in the most gruesome way possible. But Piyush does
that with conviction. There is a finesse and subtlety even in that. The weak
hearted might find the killing descriptions nauseating, but then what did you
expect in a novel based on a serial killer?
POSITIVES
As I said
earlier, the writing style is very good. So are few of the sequences. For
instance, the entire chase sequence set in Pune which ultimately fails is very
well done. The childhood plots of both the key characters are very convincing
and terrifying.
Also, the
entire sequence regarding the killer calling while travelling in local trains
is superb.
The icing on
the cake is the finale. For a climax, it builds up rather slowly and you begin
to feel that this is going nowhere. But the masterstroke is brilliantly played.
NEGATIVES
As I
mentioned before, a lot of the portions are sans dialogues and in indirect
speech. They do reduce the intense feel of the plot. You feel that had there
been a more detailed description with dialogues, perhaps there would have been
a greater impact. All said and done, the overall result is very good.
OVERALL, “RAAKSHAS” delivers as promised. A taut,
gripping, on-the-edge thriller about a serial killer, this one keeps you
engaged till the last page. Considering the fact that a film is being made on
the book, it would be highly interesting to see the plot of the book
transformed into a cinematic picture.
Recommended for
people who love thrillers.
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