Mane Varsaad Bhinjve literally means “I surrender myself in the showers of rain”. I feel writing a book review of a Gujarati novel is a welcome challenge. Written by an eminent and well-loved author Dr. Sharad Thaker, Mane Varsaad Bhinjve is a very unusual love story. Written in the year 2012, the novel takes you on a whirlwind emotional ride.
Can you love somebody so much that you would give them to another?
It is impossible, at least in my mind though. But Nupur makes it nearly possible. Why should Nikhar suffer because of her shortcomings? Nupur and Nikhar, madly in love, married against their family’s wishes, endure a dreadful journey. Albeit at a cost. A cost that Nupur is ready to pay. But what about Nikhar? Will he join Nupur in this madness? Does he love her as much as she does to sacrifice everything?
I am asking these questions not only to raise curiosity in your minds but also to share what I went through whilst reading this novel. The characters and its plot have yet not left my inner thoughts. And they come recurring as I ask myself the same questions. That is the beauty of the words in this book. Well, after a lot of meandering and pondering over- My answer is strictly in negation. No, I cannot do what she (Nupur) could accomplish in her heart. Can you? Read the book to know the journey of Nupur and Nikhar.
About the book
The plot of this story is interesting and expressive. The story is unusually refreshing yet predictive at some points. Though, the way story takes turn is completely volatile which keeps a reader glued till the very end. Notwithstanding that the story is more about an emotional journey of three people that the author wants to take the reader through than about the story. The readers will find themselves growing very close to these characters and would be able to feel their inner turmoil. The book is capable enough to move your heart in the spaces we might not know existed- and you don’t really leave the book even after finishing it.
Nevertheless, if you are an attentive reader, you may come across some innocent contradictions in the information. That however does not affect the emotions or flow of the story- yet may annoy a good reader. Moreover, the editing of the book is not meticulously done resulting in left out typos which become quite prominent at some places.
Dr. Thaker is well- known to pen down emotions beautifully, using a simple prose. Here too, the choice of words and language reflect simplicity yet reflect the depth of the characterization.
About the author
Dr Sharad Thaker, a gynaecologist by profession, is a renowned novelist, columnist and a Gujarati litterateur. With more than three decades of writing, he is a doctor with a literary pen along with a carpel. With his roots in the city of Junagadh, Gujarat, he is widely read in his regular national newspaper weekly columns known as Doctor ni Diary (Doctor’s Diary) and Rann ma Khilyu Gulab (A Rose Grown in a Desert). It is tough to find a Gujarati literature reader who would have not read or heard of his columns. And yes, many readers (including I) deeply appreciate him for writing such stories that touch our hearts and push our thoughts to expand the vision of life.
Written by: Chahna D.
Edited by: Milauni T.
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