Book Review: Hold My Hand by Durjoy Datta
Title and Author: Hold My Hand
- Paperback: 216 pages
- Publisher: Metro Reads (5 August 2013)
- Language: English
- Genre: Romance, Indian Writing
Book Review:
Hold My Hand is the sweet, hilarious and also very gripping story of Deep who in someways is very similar to me. He is a nerd, always engrossed in his books. His best place to be is a library and he is awkward with people. Six feet and four inches tall, he is mercifully thin with a waist that is the “envy of runway models” and excessively pampered and sheltered by his parents. Very well read and a bright student, he gets a chance to go to Hong Kong on internship and decides to take up the offer. What follows is many a funny but very sweet dramatic scenes at home with his mother crying and worrying about her “Shona” and his father making a list of relatives to call in an emergency to which Deep is sure he would die first before he calls any one of these relatives.
His two friends are full of suggestions about all sorts of things like girls, shopping, clubs etc. The story takes us on a journey to a foreign land and makes us feel the nervousness and anticipation one feels on his first voyage abroad. The flow of the story changes when Deep meets Ahana and falls for her at first glance. What ensues is a touching, sweet and very real journey of two people, each with his/her own set of imperfections and shortcomings who enjoy each other’s company and ultimately find a meaning to their life.
is the sweet, hilarious and also very gripping story of Deep who in someways is very similar to me. He is a nerd, always engrossed in his books. His best place to be is a library and he is awkward with people. Six feet and four inches tall, he is mercifully thin with a waist that is the “envy of runway models” and excessively pampered and sheltered by his parents. Very well read and a bright student, he gets a chance to go to Hong Kong on internship and decides to take up the offer. What follows is many a funny but very sweet dramatic scenes at home with his mother crying and worrying about her “Shona” and his father making a list of relatives to call in an emergency to which Deep is sure he would die first before he calls any one of these relatives. His two friends are full of suggestions about all sorts of things like girls, shopping, clubs etc. The story takes us on a journey to a foreign land and makes us feel the nervousness and anticipation one feels on his first voyage abroad. The flow of the story changes when Deep meets Ahana and falls for her at first glance. What ensues is a touching, sweet and very real journey of two people, each with his/her own set of imperfections and shortcomings who enjoy each other’s company and ultimately find a meaning to their life.
The story is told from the POV of Deep, Ahana and also her Dad, Ranbeer. I have read Durjoy Datta’s works in the past but I liked this book the best. Durjoy has evolved as a writer and he effectively mixes humorous elements with sensitivity and skill. The characters are real, practical people and I was able to connect with them. I could feel the hopelessness of Ahana, who is blind and angry with the people with eyes who treat her differently. I could empathize with Ahana’s father who loves his daughter but feels helpless. He tries his best to make his daughter happy but often without success. I could connect with Deep who loves books and finds a book a better companion than people who often don’t notice him. He feels conscious of his thin waist, awkward height and no noticeable attractive physical trait when compared to his hunky and popular friend, Aman. I could connect with Deep’s mother, who feels extra protective towards her only child and wants to shelter him from the harsh outside world.
The plot is well conceived and executed with some witty dialogues and laughter filled scenes. The author shows his skill when he traverses from the light to the serious part of the book. The description of Hong Kong is beautiful and vivid and creates a mental picture. All through the book I felt like I was actually there in Hong Kong and visiting places with Deep.
A gripping tale of finding love, an aim in life and a passion, this is a sweet book that will touch your heart, hook you and entertain you. A strong recommendation from me to read it, I give Hold My Hand 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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