Skip to main content

BOOK REVIEW : BODY OF WORK

It has been a while since I read a Ravi Subramanian novel. I have been a fan of his work since his first novel. His writing style, his characterisations, the tension he builds up – everything is top notch.

And so when Ravi decides to "present" an author, it was something I was looking forward to.

"Body of Work" is written by Mansi Babbar and presented by Ravi Subramanian. With a length of only 166 pages, this one was a quick read. Here's my take on the novel.

 

PLOT

The basic plot revolves around my favorite theme – BOLLYWOOD. And so it was only natural I would pick this book. The story revolves basically around two characters – a journalist named Raina and a superstar actress named Hera. While the entire world raves about Hera, her acting, her stardom and her generous contribution to the film world, Raina thinks otherwise. She thinks Hera is not at all what she presents to the entire world. Infact, she thinks she is more twisted than what others assume. Who amongst these two is right and who is wrong forms the crux of the plot.

 

WRITING & LANGUAGE

Debut writer Mansi Babbar does a good job under the mentorship of Ravi Subramanian. Her writing is crisp, clear, effective and grammatically sound. She vividly describes scenes, structures, portraits and all of that is effectively communicated.

 

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES

The best part of the book is the urgent speed with which it proceeds. I guess that was the aim – to present an unputdownable novel which gives you hardly any time to breathe and think, and which makes you read the book in one go – binge-read. The author succeeds at most of the places in doing that.

The short length was another plus point. It made things easier rather than unnecessarily stretching a plot after it loses its steam.

On the flipside, I felt the descriptions of the portraits were a bit gruesome. Also, I might be wrong, but maybe this book was written with a thought in mind that maybe one day, some director might adapt it into a movie. Now that is a great thing no doubt! However, I felt at places the book felt too filmy – as if inviting filmmakers and telling them – "Look look! I have got you a novel you can convert into a movie."

Also, the big reveal in the climax is well done, but it was visible from a long time.

OVERALL, "Body of Work" is a fast-paced well written novel which can be easily finished in one single sitting. Nothing extraordinary, but a good read which you can finish on a train or bus ride or a lazy Sunday.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

TANU WEDS MANU RETURNS : MY THOUGHTS

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. IT IS TO BE READ ONLY IF YOU HAVE WATCHED THE MOVIE. IT IS NOT EXACTLY A REVIEW. IT CONTAINS THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW I LIKED THE MOVIE. IT IS LONG AND CONTAINS QUITE SOME IMAGES. Few facts we learnt from Tanu Weds Manu Returns – 1.      Southhall mein logon ke ghar ke baahar kacchhe sookhte hain. 2.      Tharki logon ki pasandeeda kitaab hain “LOLITA” 3.      “TILANDI” means “VANISHED” 4.      Tanu saves her husband Manu’s number in her phone under the contact name “HUSBAND” 5.      Delhi ka aadha pollution aashiqon ki wajah se hain. 6.      “JHAND” means “DESTROYED” 7.      “PEEPNI” means … “Bachpan mein buddha hota than a neeli aankhon waala, jisse pichkaao toh         aawaaz aati thi PEE PEE” 8.      Pappi ki colony ki do nikkar wali ladkiyon ne use propose ...

BARFI! - MY THOUGHTS (A PICTORIAL RECOLLECTION)

Indian cinema has always had a strong desire to portray disabilities on screen. While 99% of such films are dull and message oriented, there are a few directors who prove that such people don’t always mean gloom. And so we have Anurag Basu taking us in the life of Murphy. For three hours he transports us into a world which is literally a fairy tale. Such is the beauty of the final product that I actually felt like not leaving the cinema hall; staying a little more in Barfi and Jhilmil’s world. Have you ever felt irritated by the beginning credits of a film? The ones which go like – “Special thanks to…”, “Media partners”, “Publicity partners“, and the names of thousand other brands which might have played a miniscule role in the film? But in Barfi, you never realize when all that finished. Reason? “PICTURE SHURUUUU…. HO GAYI PICTURE SHURU….” This was innovation at its cinematic best. Swanand Kirkire’s witty and apt lines in his own voice make us rapt with attent...

MY REVIEW OF MIRZAPUR SEASON 2

I was a late entrant into the "Mirzapur" weries. Even though it arrived 2 years back, I watched it only a couple of months back during the lockdown. I finally gave in to the immense pressure around, and I couldn’t resist seeing what was so great about the show which led it to become the most successful series in India. And hence, I started watching the first episode of season 1. Shuru majboori mein kiye they, par baad mein jo majaa aaya, I can't describe that. I realized that the hype around the show was totally justified. Also, the makers ended season 1 on such a cliffhanger that it was imperative for everyone to wait so eagerly for season 2. PLOT, DIRECTION & WRITING As I started watching season 2,I slowly realized a few things. This season was way different from the previous one. Gone was the rawness and loudness. The amount of violence shown also seemed much less. Things seemed much more mature. My thoughts were only strengthened as I progressed further.  Season 2...